A/C problem in a 97 SL2.

[Chad of Metal]

The a/c works in the car, but it doesn't blow cool or cold air. Sometimes the air gets a little cool pending on the temperature outside...

I went to the store and bought some refrigerant for the a/c and it worked for about ten minutes and then it was gone. I'm pretty sure this is a leak, I just wanted to know how hard of a job to fix it is.

And where the hose/hoses would be for me to fix it.

Thank you to anyone who could help me.

[RC1488]

Its not that hard to fix the leak. But finding it is hard. And you need to have the system discharged and recharged professionally.

[Chad of Metal]

I watched some videos about fixing it and everything works correctly. It's just blowing warm air.

Now, when I added the refrigerant I noticed that the pressure was normal or even high at times. According to the gauge that is...

I don't know if that would still be a leak, since the gauge read it to be full or overfilled.

I find that strange...

[denisond3]

Its likely you have either a clogged restrictor valve, or reduction valve, or whatever Saturn calls the goody that creates the drop in pressure just before the refrigerant flows into the evaporator ....
OR...
Your compressor is worn out. This can involve valves that are corroded/worn or weak rings on the pistons in the compressor.


I have the gauges for putting freon in, I have the vacuum pump for emptying the systems, I even have a tank of R-134a and a small fortune in R-12 cans; and still I dont bother to fix the a.c. in my cars when they quit. This is partly due to the cost of replacing hoses, getting a rebuilt compressor (the cheapest prices arent necessarily the best in my opinion), the need to buy a new drier, etc. Its partly because I live in N. VA in summer, where its not hot like AZ gets. And partly because I get about 15% better mpg if I drive with the windows down in hot weather, instead of using the a.c. I think its also illegal to let the refrigerants vent to the atmosphere - and I dont have the equipment to 'capture' the freon left in the system.

[Chad of Metal]

Well... Gay. haha

I'm probably just going to go to a place to get them to check it out and tell me the problem.

And if it's an easy enough fix... I'll do it myself.

Thanks!