So today my MC needed an air conditioning recharge. I had a heck of a time finding the low side port and couldn't find anything useful on any of the boards or on YouTube believe it or not. Anyhow this post is simply to document that location. I found the port behind the trans fluid dipstick up against the firewall. I hope that saves someone else an hour and pulling the airbox like I did. After a full 22 ounce can of AC Pro (the one they have been advertising on tv lately) I have cold air, but i still need another half can or so. It was REALLY empty.

 

I have a recharge kit but I never needed it yet. I put the gauge on to check it before tho and it was full.

 

There's a good chance that will only work for about a month if your system was empty.

You have a leak, these are closed systems, if you need a recharge there is a serious problem.

 

And if it was empty it wont work properly anyway. You need to pull the system under vacuum in order to get all the moisture out and to ensure you get all the other gases out before you recharge.

 

Well at least I got a can of this for free. I don't know if mine is empty or whats wrong but it blows air thats just chill not cold just a lil cool kinda like just a fan. so would using the can be a waste of my time. Lol like i said at least I got a can of it for free.

 

Do you have any way of measuring the output temp of the vents? I see it a lot, especially in hot weather, that people expect too much from their A/C. Generally 40* below ambient (above 70*) is quite good. And if the car has set in the sun all day it could take 15+ minutes at full speed to cool the interior down.

 

I do have a way of checking but I'm sure its not working correctly. Mine is stored in a storage unit in which it is dark and is air conditioned in the summer. So when I get in it the cars nice and cool. But when I take it out for a cruise its unbearable in the 90 plus degree weather because it does not blow cool at all.

 

Then it is mostly likely low or an actuator is not working properly. The question is; where is it leaking at?

 

I'd have no clue. At the moment I've been only driving it on the cooler days with the sunroof open and windows down. just don't wanna spent the money on it as I don't drive the car all too often. Maybe once I get my new summer car (probably 2 years or so) and it becomes a DD I will get it fixed right. Thank you for all the advice though, its very helpful.

 

I would check the compressor for leaks. Either the fittings on the back or the seal in the compressor itself. Mine has been leaking for years and slowly getting worse. Have to recharge it every summer but its to the point now where its going to need replaced. I know GM compressors are common points for leaks for some reason. If there is any dye in the system, you can use a black light to find the leak. The dye will glow florescent green when the black light is on it. They make small pen sized blacklights now that are convenient for crawling under the car and checking for leaks.