Need some help troubleshooting my A/C

[simpsoap]

Looking to get some technical advice on the A/C of my '97 80 series. Last week we were at Norris Lake and on the drive home we rain into torrential rain. I went to turn the A/C on and it would only blow out warm air. Fast forward to this week, picked up an AC Pro recharge kit from the local auto store, the gauge read "0" at the start, but got her filled up to 30psi. Driving to work this morning it was blowing nice and cold, cold enough that I had to turn it down. However on the way home from work today, it was cool, but not cold like it was this morning. Keep in mind that we have had 90+ degree weather this week in Ohio. I plan to drive the truck again in the morning to see if the air is ice cold once again, but I trying to figure out if perhaps I should replace the evaporator?

I did some digging on other threads and found some similar posts. I'm pretty handy with a wrench and don't mind getting my hands dirty. Looking to see what others think.

Should I just take it to a shop and have them pull vacuum and see if there is a leak? I found it quite odd that the gauge on the kit I purchased showed 0, but I have never had an issue like this previously. I have used the A/C previously this year on more than one occasion and have had zero issues whatsoever.

I see no seepage in the engine bay, everything looks normal. Water is dripping from the bottle of the truck as to be expected.

Open to advice!

TIA!

-Andy

 

[Fj80oregon]

Buy some gauges and a vacuum pump yourself under $200 on Amazon. Easily cheeper than a shop and you can do it yourself over the years.

 

[Fj80oregon]

Amazon.com

 

[Fj80oregon]

I have used this set up over 30 times, buy some r134 from Walmart or where ever you prefer 2 cans should do it, and watch this video.

 

[FJ80HI]

Whatever you do Don’t get 134a with leak stop or use any leak stop. Read can carefully. Leak stop will clog expansion valve then you got a major repair

 

[FJ80HI]

You can get uv dye to shoot in and check for leaks. Typical place for leak is compressor shaft seal. Best to run ac once a month to keep seal lubed up

 

[greentruck]

While probably not directly relevant to the symptoms you describe, if you do get into the evaporator the looks of it will likely appall you. There is no outside air intake filter on the 80. The evap gets damp doing its thing, then all the aerial crap gets turned into a mud that fills the lower half of the evap coils.

 

[sterling]

I have had good luck renting the vacuum gauges and pump from my local AutoZone for free. Good luck!

 

[simpsoap]

I have used this set up over 30 times, buy some r134 from Walmart or where ever you prefer 2 cans should do it, and watch this video.

This video was spot on and worked perfectly. Seems like my system held and I don't have any leaks. I put the necessary amount into the truck yesterday and I was about 92 degrees to start and by the end, it was blowing out around 45 degrees. We shall see how it performs as time passes, but things seem well. Thank you for the post and suggesting to get the vacuum pump and gauges. Worked like a charm!

This forum is great and I love how there are so many helpful individuals on here!

-Andy