!992 Buick LeSabre A/C problem

[Jess12680]

My Dad owns a 1993 Buick LeSabre,the A/C always worked then the compressor went,was replaced and filled and now they can't get the A/C to work.Any suggestions??? Thanks in advance

[HotZ28]

Did "they" replace the expansion valve (orifice screen), accumulator and pull a vacuum on the system? What happened to the original compressor, did it lock-up, or just quit cooling? Was this a conversion to 134a?

[Jess12680]

Originally Posted by HotZ28

Did "they" replace the expansion valve (orifice screen), accumulator and pull a vacuum on the system? What happened to the original compressor, did it lock-up, or just quit cooling? Was this a conversion to 134a?

It locked up on him and a mechanic replaced it,now said it is electrical but said $100.00 per 30 minutes to diagnose.I will ask my dad about the expansion valve .Thanks for the reply

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by Jess12680

now said it is electrical but said $100.00 per 30 minutes to diagnose.

THAT IS A FLAT RATE OF TWO HUNDREDS DOLLARS AN HOUR!!! I have never heard of any mechanic charging that much!! What does the mechanic think he is; a brain surgeon? If the compressor locked-up, more than likely the orifice screen was blocked with debris. If so, the system would require a complete flush, otherwise, even if they did replace the screen, it would fill with trash again and the pressure switch would not allow the compressor to operate. You need to find out exactly what this mechanic is doing, before he totally drains your dad's wallet!

[Jrs3800]

Agreed.... When a Compressor goes bad, At the bare minimum the Orifice Filter, and the Reciever/Drier should be replaced...

Here is an example of what HotZ28 is talking about... Its the same filter the 93 Buick uses...


As you can see replacing this is a must...

[happydog500]

This looks interesting. How do u get to this? I have a 97, is it in the same place?
Wonder if it's good to go in and clean/change it on a car that has air working?

I've never heard of this. Anything else u can enplane about this thing?

Thank you very much,
Chris.

[spinne1]

Originally Posted by happydog500

This looks interesting. How do u get to this? I have a 97, is it in the same place?
Wonder if it's good to go in and clean/change it on a car that has air working?

I've never heard of this. Anything else u can enplane about this thing?

Thank you very much,
Chris.

On a 92 it is likely in the tubing near the joint between the tubing and the condenser or in the condenser tubing near said joint (I can't remember exactly.) I don't know about a 97 (it will likely be in an area of tubing that is straight and big enough to hold it--but could also possibly be near the joint between the tubing and the evaporator.) As for changing it, it is not a user serviceable part. You cannot access it without first removing the refrigerant. If your car's air works fine then there is no good reason to change it. It will only get clogged like in the picture if there has been damage to the compressor causing metal shards to get loose and then lodged in the filter. Your car would not likely have a filter looking like that.

[ChemMan]

So the shop that worked on it now can't figure out what is wrong with it?!?!? Time to find a new mechanic!