Chevy Cobalt AC Repair In The Driveway - Addressing Common GM Points of Failure

Today well be looking at the AC unit of this 2008 Chevy Cobalt, these have several known issues that we will look at as a likely culprit, though we will be doing a full inspection to isolate any other issues.
Be sure safety and environmental laws are followed.
4 Pieces 6014 Vacuum Pump Adapter 1/4 Inch Flare Female to 1/2 Inch Male and 6015 R134A Brass Refrigerant Tank Adapter to R12 Fitting Adapter 1/2" Female to 1/4" Male Flare Adaptor Valve
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3,5CFM Single-Stage 5 Pa Rotary Vane Economy Vacuum Pump 3 CFM 1/4HP Air Conditioner Refrigerant HVAC Air Tool R410a 1/4" Flare Inlet Port
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GM Genuine Parts 25886939 Air Conditioning Compressor Relief Valve
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UV Flashlight Black Light, Handheld Blacklight Flashlights 51Led 395nm
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Elitech HVAC Refrigerant Leak Detector 10 Yrs Infrared Sensor Life Halogen Freon Sniffer, Air Conditioning Detection,
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This one hasn't blown cold and we don't know the state of the unit, and some plastics will be loosened for leak inspection. My equipment included a manifold gauge set which was cleaned and pre-checked with my vacuum pump.
In the evening I go around with my UV lamp and goggles looking for any artifacts of a leak since the car came with a tracer dye in it. Under the unit a known issue is found. The relief valve on the compressor.
Nothing else found I connect my gauges and see whats what. Finding a small amount of gas is left, at least enough to do some gas leak testing with my ILD-100 leak tester, going around the interior and exterior of the car for any type of gas reading, both the low pressure and high pressure fittings are tested and another known issue, the high pressure fitting has a leak.
So two confirmed leaks - the compressor relief value, and the high pressure fitting. We go down the the service shop to have the remaining gas purged.
The Acdelco fittings from GM are garbage, so the high pressure fitting should be replaced with Dorman 800-955 as shown in the video. The compressor relief valve is GM part number 25886939.
With the parts replaced the entire system was vacuumed down to -30lps for an hour and tested for another hour or so.
The weight of the gas from this car was shown on a shroud above the fan. This meant one full bottle and one partial bottle of R-134 as measured on a scale. This car takes 410grams, a standard bottle is 340. As it approaches the correct amount of refrigerant the system stabilizes.
A digital thermometer in the vent evaluates the success of the job which came out working like new.
#cobalt #airconditioningrepair #chevrolet

[@collinistheguy9355]

Pretty solid video. If you just recharged your AC like me, don’t be a dummy like me and under fill it. I thought my compressor might’ve been shot. I just replaced the radiator and condenser due to a very unfortunate raccoon…. I recharged the AC and it wasn’t blowing cold. Turns out I just didn’t put enough refrigerant in the first time. Hope this is helpful or at least provides a good chuckle.

[@testwopper13]

What where the Low & High Pressure Readings with the Bad Relief Valve? Also readings with a full charge?

[@richardanderson4916]

Great job!!

[@retrotechandelectronics]

Thanks!

[@user-tb3tm8jx7m]

Checked mine today on an 09 I just purchased, I do have p0411 code on the engine which I believe won’t cause it to disable the air conditioning, with the car on, ac on full blast, when I plug my guage into it, the guage immediately pegs out to max. Am I testing it wrong? What should I look at? Ince in a blue moon the pump will try to turn on for a second but i think it being at its level it won’t allow it, any help would be greatly appreciated,

[@Jumbro6]

I have the same issue lol

[@waterlilly2100]

Nice repair!

[@retrotechandelectronics]

Thanks!

[@megabaneen8057]

Excellent thanks

[@retrotechandelectronics]

You’re welcome

[@hachogonzalez8649]

Proper job!

[@retrotechandelectronics]

Thank you.

[@ezrollin561]

If the system was empty, did you by -pass the low pressure switch to get the compressor to engage?

[@retrotechandelectronics]

I did not need to. It cycles the compressor with the addition of gas

[@mteevie1609]

$40 for the relief valve 😢

[@retrotechandelectronics]

40$ to fix an AC instead of going to a shop and paying 1500

[@MarisaDaboll]

peter griffin ?

[@retrotechandelectronics]

.