Air Conditioning Slowly depleting?

DSCHWINDT

MEMBER
2006 BUICK LUCERNE
3.8L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
120,000 MILES

My A/C still works but the temperature of the air is slowly increasing. I assumed it needed more refrigerant, so I was going to recharge it. But when I attached my low pressure gauge with screw-on r143a, the gauge showed the pressure to be in the yellow. Apparently, this means there is a problem with my A/C, and it doesn't need to be recharged. Since the air was slowly getting warmer it seemed like a recharge issue, but now I'm at a loss. What are some potential fixes?

Thursday, July 3rd, 2025 AT 8:59 PM

3 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
52,671 POSTS

Sure, can I ask when you run the engine and turn the A/C system on can you hear the radiator cooling fans come on? Also, those can kits do not tell us much, we need to connect an A/C gauge set which you can get from Amazon for about $37.00.

https://amzn.to/4exX08S

And then watch this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EqdrBVb0sY

Also, can you tell if the compressor is clicking in? Please go over this video and get back to us.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, July 5th, 2025 AT 12:36 PM

DSCHWINDT

MEMBER
38 POSTS

Yes, the radiator fans and the compressor are functioning properly. I will try to get the a/c gauge set at some point, but it may be awhile before I get around to it since other things have come up. I will let you know what happens once I get around to it.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Sunday, July 20th, 2025 AT 8:08 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
52,671 POSTS

Sounds good, there is a chance the system is overfull which will cause this issue as well. Also, did anyone add oil to the AC system during a repair, too much oil can cause this problem as well.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, July 21st, 2025 AT 10:16 AM