Re: Problems Charging the A/C

Hi all,
I have another problem: My 96 Oldsmobile Nighty-Eight's AC blows hot air! The guy at a shop told me that the evaporator core was leaking and wanted almost $700 for repair.
I searched here at AF and found out that it would smell bad inside the car if the evaporator core was leaking; and my car does not smell bad at all. I do not think that the core is the problem.
I recharged it with freon R-134 with STOP LEAK as suggested by AutoZone. But, the problem is that when I hooked it up, it would not work. I hooked up to the low side (it fitted!), turned the AC on maximum. Several minutes later, the freon can was still warm, still felt heavy as it was before and I did not hear the sound of the freon hissing. Worrying that the freon would leak out of the can if I leave it alone; I used that same can and recharged another car of mine, then I could hear the hissing sound of freon getting out, the can got lighter and extremely cold.
Anyone has any idea why I could not recharge it? Should I try again with another can? MY email is [email protected] in case anyone wants to help me faster.
Any idea would be appreciated.

You posted your problem at Olds Aurora. I moved it to a new thread at Olds 98.

Those cheapy recharge kits leave a lot to be desired. Are you sure the connector was tight on the low side port? Did you get one with a gauge?

Hi, Thanks for the correcttion, and for the reply.
I am sure it was tight. Since I turned the valve on to let the freon out, if it was not tight, I would not think it stay in place (I left it there and came back after several minutes).
Also, it was the low side. I had done it before with the same car.
I guess I should try it again. Who will do it if I do not want the shop to rip me off? :lol:

I'd try it again. Also, shake the R134a can up pretty well. I found out that the system takes the charge from the can better if you increase rpms (not too much) and hold the can upside down. Good luck.

I tried it again, this time with the manifold kit and hoses with gauges that I bought from Autozone. It worked!

I am still driving it for few days with AC on to see if it stops the leak.

Thanks for all your helps.