AUTO A/C PROBLEMS...ADVICE MUCH APPRECIATED! ('99 chevy silverado)?

For a while the a/c would only work on the higher settings. Now it's totally broken. Only blows warm air on all settings. Now there are little black particles blowing out of the air vent located on the back of the center console. Particles look like pieces of sponge, but when you touch it, there's a greasy substance on it. People have told us we may need to replace the ';compressor';. Does this sound right? If so, how much can we expect to pay??AUTO A/C PROBLEMS...ADVICE MUCH APPRECIATED! ('99 chevy silverado)?
A/C works like a refrigerator,it's a sealed system,meaning it will 'blow cold'; as long as refrigerant is at proper levels.Leaks in the system causing refrigerant to run low will cause the system to perform poorly.


Chances are good that you have a leak.And from what you are describing as ';foam'; laying on the dash is probably dirt and dust laden with A/C refrigerant oil.This is coming off of the evaporator core located behind the dash.The core may have sprung a leak which has allowed the refrigerant and some oil to escape from the system.Have the system ';dye shot'; with UV oil and a pound or so of refrigerant and drive it for a few days and have it reinspected yo find all sources of leakage in the system.


As for price??? the sky is the limit,chain reaction failures are common so you may have to make a hard decision,either be uncomfortable or broke. Hope this helps.AUTO A/C PROBLEMS...ADVICE MUCH APPRECIATED! ('99 chevy silverado)?
yours is a split year so the info I am providing is for the OLD style 5.0, not the new Silvreado style truck with 5.3.





the drier will also need replacing, and the entire a/c system will have to be evacuated and recharged with refrigerant.


Driers are about fifty bucks and refrigerant-R134-thankfully is cheap as well.





Part No.


2651 Ready-Aire Compressor %26amp; Clutch


A/C Compressor: H6-SW Comp. Type; 6-Gr. Clutch Type; Remanufactured; With Clutch


Warranty: 1 Year Warranty - Special Limitations





Ships in 1 day


$239.99








about four of five hundred for the repair.





Depending where you live, you might consider trading for newer, car sales are in the toilet and it's only spring, they might not find out until after you trade it in.
You will probably want to have dye put into the A/C system, and have them take the dash apart and locate the leak. Most likely they will tell you:


';Your evaporator core has leaked your R134a refrigerant into your evaporator case. As it leaked out the oil in the system formed a mist that blew out of your heat + A/C vents. The oil broke down some of the foam rubber seals for the air blend doors. That is why the black oily chunks are blowing out, and why the A/C is no longer cold.';





You will have to take it in to a skilled auto repair professional to have it repaired, because most vehicles require you to remove the entie dash to replace the evaporator core. It is usually a good idea to replace the reciever / drier too whenever you have a large leak in the system. Then it has to be evacuated (vacumed), oil has to be added, and it has to be charged with R-134a. There should be no extra parts, not even a screw.





Sorry to tell you, this is gonna cost a few bucks. Even if they pull it all apart and say ';Oh good news, It's just an o-ring';, you are still going to be out at least 5 or more hours of labor.





IT IS NOT THE COMPRESSOR!!! The compressor is out under the hood. It has a pulley on it, and is driven by the serpentine belt. A compressor does not leak oily substances inside your ducts, it can't!
i spent 860.00 replacing compressor, dryer, exchanger under dash 11 years ago.
Sounds like the evaporater core is leaking. If you have a dye in a/c system you can check the drian tube for dye, then you will know for sure.