Air flow minimum at times but not always

TBELLEBABE

MEMBER
2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
186,000 MILES

I air conditioner blows cold but my vents blow really good at times but after I've had my ac on for awhile it seems be get very minimal! Then after raising my hood either the condenser or evaporator is frozen! What could be my problem and how can I tell if it is the condenser or evaporator?
Please help!
BTW, I had my compressor replaced about a month ago!

1 Reply

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

LET'S CHECK OUT THE PRESSURES ON YOUR HIGH AND LOW SIDE WITH A SET OF GAUGES

BEFORE YOU GET REALLY CARRIED AWAY AND MAYBE FREAKING OUT 'CAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE A SET OF GAUGES

LET'S ALSO LOOK AT "AIR FLOW" THRU THE CONDENSER (AND THE EVAPORATOR, IF YOU CAN GET TO IT)

WE HAVE A '95 PLYMOUTH NEON FOR A "SPARE CAR". SHOULD ON OF OUR DAILY DRIVERS NOT "FIRE UP" WHEN IT'S TIME TO GO TO WORK. OR WHEN I'M REPAIRING/ SERVICING ONE OF THEM. WE WON'T BE "AFOOT"

IT STARTED ICING A LITTLE BIT

IT MAY HAVE BEEN A "HAIR LOW" ON GAS, BUT NOT MUCH, I DID TOP IT OFF

RECENTLY I GOT IN THERE TO THE CONDENSER (THINGEE IN FRONT OF THE RADIATOR) WITH A PUMP UP SPRAYER FILLED WITH "PURPLE POWER".A FIVE MINUTE WAIT. THEN A GARDEN HOSE SPRAYER OF "HOUSE" PRESSURE (NOT A PRESSURE WASHER, IT WILL BEND THE FINS) TO RINSE IT OFF. DON'T GET THE "PP" ON YOUR PAINT, IF YOU DO, IMMEDIATELY RINSE IT OFF!

THAT HELPED AIRFLOW THRU IT

I WAS ABLE TO SNATCH OUT THE BOWER FAN/ MOTOR. INSIDE THE HOLE IT CAME OUT OF, I COULD SEE QUITE A BUILD UP OF LEAVES AND DEBRIS ON THE."HEATER CORE" (AS IT CATCHES THE CRAP FROM OUTSIDE 1ST)

THE EVAPORATOR (THE THINGEE IN THE HEATER/ A/C BOX, INSIDE THE CAR) IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HEATER CORE, I COULD NOT SEE IT

I LAID OUT A PLASTIC BAG IN THE FLOOR AND SOME OLD TOWELS ON TOP OF IT

YES. SHOVED A TWO FOOT PIECE OF HEATER HOSE INTO MY SHOP-VAC HOSE AND "TAPE SEALED" THEM TOGETHER, I VACUUM-ED ALL OF THE LOOSE CRAP OUT, USING THE RUBBER, SMALLER HEATER HOSE TO GET IN THE SMALL FAN ASSEMBLY HOLE

THEN I SHOT THE HEATER CORE WITH PURPLE POWER. FIVE MINUTES LATER.I FLUSHED IT (INSIDE OF THE CAR) WITH THE GARDEN HOSE

I KINDA FLUSHED IT IN SPURTS, HOPING THAT A LOT OF THE WATER WOULD GO OUT THE CONDENSATE DRAIN. AND NOT FILL UP MY TOWELS AND PLASTIC

SOME OF THE WATER WENT OUT THE CONDENSATE DRAIN---SOME WENT IN THE FLOOR ONTO MY OLD TOWELS. BUT NO REAL MESS AT ALL

DOING THIS ALONE. GAVE ME TWICE OF THE AIRFLOW THRU THE DASH VENTS. THAN I CAN EVER REMEMBER!

NO MORE ICING!

THE MEDIC