/not-a-car-guy
Sorry, but the knowledge you feel you posses has no value. I hate to see people who know nothing about a mechanical subject interject their thoughts into a thread where a person has legitimate questions. If you feel that's harsh, deal with it.most likely the condenser is bad, they rust out near the edges. The condenser is in front of the radiator.
PottedMeat asks two important questions. The answers to those will help in you getting advice that has value.I'm told you can change to freon yourself in *some* cars and I've seen the kits at Walmart. How do I know if this car can have a DIY coolant change?
Also, is there anything else I should check first?
/not-a-car-guy
I'm told you can change to freon yourself in *some* cars and I've seen the kits at Walmart. How do I know if this car can have a DIY coolant change?
Also, is there anything else I should check first?
/not-a-car-guy
Sorry, but the knowledge you feel you posses has no value. I hate to see people who know nothing about a mechanical subject interject their thoughts into a thread where a person has legitimate questions. If you feel that's harsh, deal with it.
You have no clue what is wrong with the OP's AC and condensers don't rust as they are made from aluminum.
I'm told you can change to freon yourself in *some* cars and I've seen the kits at Walmart. How do I know if this car can have a DIY coolant change?
Also, is there anything else I should check first?
/not-a-car-guy
The air coming out always feels slightly cool. I think it's barely working. Not enough to counter the heat from the southern sun, unfortunately.does it actually cool or is it just the fast air blowing on you?
Yes.did it use to cool then gradually get worse?
I'm Googling now to identify the compressor.one thing to check:
find the ac compressor
there is a electric clutch that lets the belt turn the compressor when you turn on the ac
when you turn on the ac you should hear a click
also the radiator fans should turn on eventually
*****Read my next post. This post does not apply.*****The air coming out always feels slightly cool. I think it's barely working. Not enough to counter the heat from the southern sun, unfortunately.
I guess a refrigerant change is out of the question. There's a warning label that says:
R-134a REFRIGERANT UNDER HIGH PRESSURE
System to be serviced by qualified personnel only.
Improper service methods may cause personal
injury.
Well, well, well, shame on me because I didn't read this post before making my previous post.Found this guy's video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYQXfgMYuV0
Then found this:
https://vimeo.com/176933292
Yes. You hear feral chickens around my mother's place.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjEf_JHzqe8
My post does have value, and Condensers can leak. I had a 1999 Grand Prix which is the same W-Body platform as the OP's Buick. I had to replace the condenser on it because it leaked, the leak was caused because the Condenser rusted and formed a hole for the refrigerant to leak out. This is very common on W-Body cars, just check online forums like ClubGP, RegalGS.org or GPONA. This is why I posted the condenser as a possible cause, because it's COMMON on the OP's car to leak.
Hope my knowledge helps
Well, well, well, shame on me because I didn't read this post before making my previous post.
You have the exact same problem as the guy in the first video has with an additional twist. The twist is that the vacuum line is actually unplugged on the other end as well as broken in the vicinity of the battery.
Do the repair that was shown in the first video and find where that vacuum line should be connected and deal with that. Your car may have a vacuum line diagram under the hood that hopefully will help you.
Your problem appears to be entirely vacuum related. No recharging should be necessary would be my guess.
Good work!! :thumbsup:
After reconnecting it, it's definitely blowing stronger. The blower seems to speed up and slow down, like it's reacting to some kind of sensor / threshold. The passenger side cools well now and the driver side feels only slightly cool. Still, it's an improvement. I'll try it out during the day tomorrow.
Just got back to the thread.
In the engine compartment, I could see that someone had already bypassed the broken part with a rubber hose. My friend and I followed that and discovered that the other end (in the passenger floorboard) was disconnected.
After reconnecting it, it's definitely blowing stronger. The blower seems to speed up and slow down, like it's reacting to some kind of sensor / threshold. The passenger side cools well now and the driver side feels only slightly cool. Still, it's an improvement. I'll try it out during the day tomorrow.