xCaliK5x
1/2 ton status
So, Its hot as hell. I want A/C. So a few weeks ago, I got a new accumulator and fittings to convert to R134. Get to the shop, open the box, accumulator looks identical. I remove it, install the new one, fittings are reversed, male/female. Oh well, I put the old one back in, shot some gas into it, I have a leak (more like a gaping hole) in the condenser. Great. I ordered it. It took three weeks to get it. I picked it up yesterday, the box had been opened, looked about 10 years old. I told them I wanted another, he said it that it would be special order again and I would have to wait. Oh and the RIGHT accumulator wasn't here yet either.
I looked over the condenser, no damage so I took it anyway. I would install the accumulator later since its easy. Go to the shop this morning and install it, for one, Pepboys wonderful parts guys didn't bother to throw in the O-Rings or the plastic zip tie things to hold the trans cooler to the condenser. Great. I dig around and get that, go to install the condenser, its close but doesn't fit. I call the "manager" and read him the number off the new part and he says and I quote "thats the one it calls for so it should fit". I tell him its too close to be wrong, but it doesn't fit. On the lower right part the tube contacts the core support. He says he can order another but it will be the same. I tell him it wasn't made right and he says they all come from one supplier and the only time they don't fit is if its an installation error or the truck has been modifed. I told him I work on cars for a living, so it would be installed right, if it fit, and that the truck is stock. At which point he has no answer. So I called GM, $400. OK. So I reach into my abg of tricks and massaged my core support on the lower right side 1/4 inch in so the tube would clear. Mounted up my trans cooler, put it in a vacuum for 30 minuets, shot 3lbs into it.
I fired up the truck, the A/C compressor sounds like a belt drive blower, AND the line on the high side has a leak. F$&*% ME!
So now I not only still need the accumulator, but also a high side line, and a compressor!
This thing is a damn money pit!
I did pull the T-stat and found the previous owner drilled SIX HOLES in the factory t-stat....... I put in a new one so it will smog. I'm slowly inching my way up to the summit of K5 Mountain. What awaits me on top? Who knows.
I looked over the condenser, no damage so I took it anyway. I would install the accumulator later since its easy. Go to the shop this morning and install it, for one, Pepboys wonderful parts guys didn't bother to throw in the O-Rings or the plastic zip tie things to hold the trans cooler to the condenser. Great. I dig around and get that, go to install the condenser, its close but doesn't fit. I call the "manager" and read him the number off the new part and he says and I quote "thats the one it calls for so it should fit". I tell him its too close to be wrong, but it doesn't fit. On the lower right part the tube contacts the core support. He says he can order another but it will be the same. I tell him it wasn't made right and he says they all come from one supplier and the only time they don't fit is if its an installation error or the truck has been modifed. I told him I work on cars for a living, so it would be installed right, if it fit, and that the truck is stock. At which point he has no answer. So I called GM, $400. OK. So I reach into my abg of tricks and massaged my core support on the lower right side 1/4 inch in so the tube would clear. Mounted up my trans cooler, put it in a vacuum for 30 minuets, shot 3lbs into it.
I fired up the truck, the A/C compressor sounds like a belt drive blower, AND the line on the high side has a leak. F$&*% ME!
So now I not only still need the accumulator, but also a high side line, and a compressor!
This thing is a damn money pit!I did pull the T-stat and found the previous owner drilled SIX HOLES in the factory t-stat....... I put in a new one so it will smog. I'm slowly inching my way up to the summit of K5 Mountain. What awaits me on top? Who knows.
