GTS A/C blew up, now summer is coming!

[Timnineside]

I have a problem with my AC. It does not work. I have searched threads for the past 2 hours, and can't find anything.

Late last summer my A/C just decided to blow up in my business parking lot. I noticed it had the green color in the little view-finder window. I am not sure if that's factory, or dye, but seemed funny at the time. I purchased the car a year prior in New Orleans and never had a problem until then. I started the car then all of the sudden ****! It just made a crazy noice and blew green stuff all over, and still seems to be leaking here and there. Also every once in a while if the control is put to A/C it will make a loud abrupt noice.

The car is a 99 GTS with 53K.

Wondering if this seems like a hose. It's hard to tell if there is a leak because it sprayed stuff EVERYWHERE and the car was running obviously when it happened.

Also has anyone DIY changed the A/C pump?

Like I said I searched all over here and have found nothing. Before I go spend $20 on a Haynes manual or whatever I would just call and get a price quote.

Also any opinion's on who/where to buy a pump? Is rebuilt ok?

Also I live in Michigan, and I wouldn't bother even fixing it but plan on driving her to Florida in June, and I will roast in this thing down there.

Thanks!

-Tim

 

[99 R/T 10]

You have to get it up in the air and have a look. I would suggest taking to an experienced A/C tech. It is a standard A/C system. He should be able to tell you what's wrong.

 

[Timnineside]

I had it over a pit last fall, but wasn't having a problem then. Should I access it from above? (remove hood etc) Or put it on a hoist?

 

[JohnnyViper]

best option is to put it on a lift or race ramps

 

[ViperCollector]

What you are describing sounds very similar to the problem I had last year. Whenever the A/C came on, there was a 'hiss' every 10 seconds or so that sounded like I was spraying nitrous! A friend noticed a white cloud under the car when running the A/C (he was driving behind me).

Finally narrowed it down to one part - the A/C valve in the heater box had plugged (thermal expansion valve). A cheap part, but not a cheap one to get to. Because it was plugged, pressure was building up in the system and releasing out of the compressor's emergency valve (over 500psi!) and spraying the refrigerant all over the fan/radiator. Replaced that valve, and all was good again and has been ever since. Unfortunately for me, this was after replacing a perfectly good compressor and dryer.

Hope this helps! If not, I have a perfectly good (used) compressor available!

Edit - the green stuff is dye, not factory - probably put in there by the previous owner.

 

[CEJ]

My a/c was blowing warm air recently and I found green stuff all over the compressor (look under your p/s pump, the compressor is under that). Last year, my dealer put in a pound of R134 and dye, and the system worked perfectly for about 8 months. When I was changing the oil (after a/c was no longer cooling), I noticed the oil pan was green, and the a/c compressor was green too! It looks as if the compressor had a leak on the main seal and who knows where else.

Rock Auto has new Denso compressors for the Gen II Vipers for about $290 shipped to you. I understand these are identical (and looks like it to me) to the OEM compressors. You'll also need the a/c drier (about $100, Tator's can get them) at a minimum. There are cheaper a/c driers, but I won't trust my Viper to an $11 ****** Chinese part.

You'll need to look at all the a/c lines and see if any green stuff is showing up on them. There could be other problems.

Anyhow, bottom line, the parts are not expensive, they are available, and you can install them yourself and then take it to a reputable a/c shop that will evacuate the system, pressure test it, and charge it, and you should spend less than $700 if you do the install of parts yourself.

I'll be installing my compressor in the next two weeks and will be taking some photos of the work and will post on this site.

 

[JohnnyViper]

good to know to check that valve if I have a problem

What you are describing sounds very similar to the problem I had last year. Whenever the A/C came on, there was a 'hiss' every 10 seconds or so that sounded like I was spraying nitrous! A friend noticed a white cloud under the car when running the A/C (he was driving behind me).

Finally narrowed it down to one part - the A/C valve in the heater box had plugged (thermal expansion valve). A cheap part, but not a cheap one to get to. Because it was plugged, pressure was building up in the system and releasing out of the compressor's emergency valve (over 500psi!) and spraying the refrigerant all over the fan/radiator. Replaced that valve, and all was good again and has been ever since. Unfortunately for me, this was after replacing a perfectly good compressor and dryer.

Hope this helps! If not, I have a perfectly good (used) compressor available!

Edit - the green stuff is dye, not factory - probably put in there by the previous owner.

 

[JohnnyViper]

thanks that will be great!!!!

I'll be installing my compressor in the next two weeks and will be taking some photos of the work and will post on this site.

 

[Timnineside]

What you are describing sounds very similar to the problem I had last year. Whenever the A/C came on, there was a 'hiss' every 10 seconds or so that sounded like I was spraying nitrous! A friend noticed a white cloud under the car when running the A/C (he was driving behind me).

Finally narrowed it down to one part - the A/C valve in the heater box had plugged (thermal expansion valve). A cheap part, but not a cheap one to get to. Because it was plugged, pressure was building up in the system and releasing out of the compressor's emergency valve (over 500psi!) and spraying the refrigerant all over the fan/radiator. Replaced that valve, and all was good again and has been ever since. Unfortunately for me, this was after replacing a perfectly good compressor and dryer.

Hope this helps! If not, I have a perfectly good (used) compressor available!

Edit - the green stuff is dye, not factory - probably put in there by the previous owner.

Yeah THANKS!!! This pretty much seems to hit the nail on the head! Can you send me a pic of that valve? Or a pic of where it is located? Also how much for that compressor?? I wouldn't mind having it just in case I do find a problem. The majority of the fluid has seemed to come out of the compressor (or that relief valve). I wonder if that green dye has anything to do with that valve plugging up????

I am more motivated to repair this now!

Thanks for the help as always!

 

[ViperCollector]

There are cheaper a/c driers, but I won't trust my Viper to an $11 ****** Chinese part.

I used the $12 one by ACDelco and have had no issues at all, although I didn't note if it was Chinese made or not. The Denso compressor worked fine in my GTS also, although the kit was missing a screw or two (save your old screws just in case). One of the screws was also too long, but an easy fix as well.

Yeah THANKS!!! This pretty much seems to hit the nail on the head! Can you send me a pic of that valve? Or a pic of where it is located? Also how much for that compressor?? I wouldn't mind having it just in case I do find a problem. The majority of the fluid has seemed to come out of the compressor (or that relief valve). I wonder if that green dye has anything to do with that valve plugging up????

The dye probably didn't plug it, but if the previous owner put any stop-leak in it, that could have definitely caused it. I can't find my work order, but the valve is in the heater box where the heater core and evaporator is. As I recall, the part was only $20 or so, but you have to remove that whole box to get in there and replace it (which means opening up the cooling system also).

I'll PM you about the compressor.