2006 Vue - Radiator Replaced Now A/C Blowing Hot Air

[LolaAnnGram]

Greetings! Just had radiator replaced for $300.00 but within days, my AC now
blowing only hot air. I replaced compressor & motor last year so should NOT be having this issue. Took it back to the mechanic - he hooked it up to some sort of machine and added freon....Ice cold all the way home (10 miles). Next day woke up and back to hot air. What the HELL? Is this caused from radiator replacement? Please HELP!!! tytyty2006 Saturn Vue

[Mr Toad]

Yes.
The AC condenser is mounted right in front of the radiator. They probably knocked a fitting loose or punched a small hole in it while wrestling with the Radiator and you are loosing refrigerant.

[fdryer]

With the cooling system radiator behind the ac condenser coil, replacing a radiator can sometimes be challenging due to ac and cooling system lines going everywhere. Good repair shops are aware of these challenges. Unfortunately, this repair shop chose to simply refill/top off..........a leaking system. Whether or not the repair shop inadvertently created ac damage or just occurred coincident to repairs is unknown. Diagnosing what occurred before, during and after repairs are known only to the repair shop. Whether or not they take responsibility is between you and them.

Professionals can use a uv blacklight to find the source of ac damage. All Saturns have dye in ac systems to make it easier for dealers, repair shops and diyers to find leaks. 98% of all vehicle ac damage are results of leaks because systems are always pressurized whether running or not. Once damage occurs, refrigerant, oil and dye leak out with dye leaving their calling card for almost anyone to find. Dye is greenish yellow. The repair shop could have spent a few minutes to check where damage occurred instead of refilling/topping off since this lasted less than a day, suggesting a major leak that needs repair.