VUE AC Probelms

[SaturnIONSLVUE]

I have a 2006 Saturn VUE V6 Saturn has refilled the AC system four times now in one year and can’t find the leak. Also the AC makes a Hissing noise at every stop/slow down when driving area. When the AC was just filled it did not makes this noise, now after two weeks it started back up.

[far2grumpy]

I have a 2006 Saturn VUE V6 Saturn has refilled the AC system four times now in one year and can’t find the leak. Also the AC makes a Hissing noise at every stop/slow down when driving area. When the AC was just filled it did not makes this noise, now after two weeks it started back up.

Sounds like you should fire the folks who keep refilling but can't find leak!

There was a service document for Vue 02-04 hiss ... has to do with engine cooling fans not operating properly when stopped.

The document is too large to post so I pasted basic details.

I'll email complete document if you PM an address:

Condition

Some customers may comment on a "hiss"-type noise when the air conditioning (A/C) compressor is turned OFF. The hiss-type noise may also be heard if the cooling fan comes on in the high-speed mode with A/C compressor ON.

Cause

When the A/C compressor comes on, the engine cooling fan should be on in the low speed mode. If the fan is inoperative in low speed mode, the condenser will not have the ability to fully condense the gas refrigerant to a liquid state, and eventually the gas will reach the thermal expansion valve (TXV). The TXV is not designed to expand gas and may make a hiss-type noise if gas refrigerant is going through it.

[VTchemist]

Aside from the hissing, is your AC providing chilled air?

My guess is you've got a leak (as far2grumpy noted), hence it's not working well.

The hissing sound is probably coming from the evaporator (in front of the passenger's feet).

I suggest you take it to a shop and have it filled back with R-134a that contains a dye. When the tech starts it up, any dye will be clearly visible under a uv light.

I too had a problem with my 03's AC. I went through two DIY fillings before I had the tech check it for leaks. I had a crack in the dryer housing and hose.

Whatever you do, stay away from the refill kits that have a leak stopping agent in them. You can gum up the expansion nozzle in the AC system. And that will cost $$ to repair.

[SaturnIONSLVUE]

I have called Saturn HQ and now i am in conact with the distric rep.
i have brought my car to Saturn four times since last june about this. They replaced the TPX vale first they said the leak was coming from that and then replaced a somthing else becase the fan wuld not change from settings or would change very slow. After they replaced that it started a hissing noise two three weeks after they refilled teh AC. Everytime refiled it no hissing noise then two weeks fater using the AC the hissing noise starts and happens more and more. What place should i post my E-mail?

I had it filled four times at Saturn in Warrenty. Then they refilled it again last month with dye for the fourth time and they wanted to charge me 147.00 for it that is I contacted the saturn rep. I got my car back and never paid. I am still working with GM to find a GM dealer to fix it right. It has now been about month.

[SaturnIONSLVUE]

I found the leak; it is coming from a water drain hole behind the firewall and under the tpx valve by the break fluid. It leaks out with the condensed water. What would that be coming from?

[1saxman]

I found the leak; it is coming from a water drain hole behind the firewall and under the tpx valve by the break fluid. It leaks out with the condensed water. What would that be coming from?

The refrigerant would be a gas after it comes into contact with the outside air. How can you possibly tell that it's leaking out of the condensate drain line with the condensate? If refrigerant were leaking from the evaporator (the thing that gets cold inside the car) and somehow remained a liquid (impossible) it would drain out of the condensate drain line.

ETA: You may be seeing leak detection dye from a refrigerant leak in the evaporator coil or the adjacent piping.

[SaturnIONSLVUE]

I saw dye coming out of the drain hole also oil was being driped out as well. When I went under the car I could see I white gas being emitted once in a while.

[fdryer]

Sounds like you should fire the folks who keep refilling but can't find [a] leak!...

I found the leak; it is coming from a water drain hole behind the firewall and under the tpx[sp] valve by the break fluid. It leaks out with the condensed water. What would that be coming from?

You may be seeing leak detection dye from a refrigerant leak in the evaporator coil or the adjacent piping.

I saw dye coming out of the drain hole also oil was being drip[d]ed out as well. When I went under the car I could see I white gas being emitted once in a while.

f2g said it all and you confirmed it on your own with little to go on!? How Saturn couldn't determine a leaker in the HVAC box is questionable since they're supposed to have electronic leak detectors for this purpose in addition to a plain set of eyes using commercial quality uv lights to easily expose more than enough dye (pouring?) from the condensate drain hose. This is not only a major repair but a very laborious one since the HVAC box would have to be dismantled including any part of the dash - radio, HVAC control head, transmission console, braces, etc.. Although evaporator coils are built for a lifetime of use just like the heater coils, its not unusual for one to break unless the replaced thermal expansion valve was replaced incorrectly and is the cause of the leaking refrigerant/dye going into the HVAC box and mistaken for coil breakage. Be happy if it turns out to be a poorly repaired txv and not a broken evaporator coil otherwise the HVAC box will have to be ripped out to get at the coils. This means draining coolant and refrigerant, disconnecting coolant lines and refrigerant lines at the firewall and then dismantling the interior to access the HVAC unit. Very labor intensive.

[SaturnIONSLVUE]

I am working with a gm district rep to get this fixed. Since i had it at saturn for this four times since last june and three refills. In february they told me we can’t find ac leaks in the winter. (which i know is b.s.) now it is out of factory warranty. Now i am waiting fro call back from gm district rep.

Thanks for the help

[1saxman]

f2g said it all and you confirmed it on your own with little to go on!? How Saturn couldn't determine a leaker in the HVAC box is questionable since they're supposed to have electronic leak detectors for this purpose in addition to a plain set of eyes using commercial quality uv lights to easily expose more than enough dye (pouring?) from the condensate drain hose. This is not only a major repair but a very laborious one since the HVAC box would have to be dismantled including any part of the dash - radio, HVAC control head, transmission console, braces, etc.. Although evaporator coils are built for a lifetime of use just like the heater coils, its not unusual for one to break unless the replaced thermal expansion valve was replaced incorrectly and is the cause of the leaking refrigerant/dye going into the HVAC box and mistaken for coil breakage. Be happy if it turns out to be a poorly repaired txv and not a broken evaporator coil otherwise the HVAC box will have to be ripped out to get at the coils. This means draining coolant and refrigerant, disconnecting coolant lines and refrigerant lines at the firewall and then dismantling the interior to access the HVAC unit. Very labor intensive.

That's why they 'couldn't find it' - because it is such a laborious job.:D

[1saxman]

By the way, Saturnionslvue; excellent detective work in finding that leak indication from the drain line. Unfortunately you are experiencing the worst-case scenario in AC system leakage, but fortunately it's covered! When you saw the 'white gas', you were seeing what was supposed to be happening inside the evaporator when the hot, compressed liquid refrigerant flashes to cold gas. Because of the leak, it is flashing outside the evaporator and freezing the humidity in the air, hence the 'white' - otherwise it would be just an invisible as air. Just think - you were having your own little private snow storm in July! :frosty: