It’s Easier Than You Think To Keep Your Cars AC Cool!

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Today our host Jared tears into the 2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV that he got for a great budget price, and tries to make it cool! With the heat of the summer, its not fun to drive for him or the dogs! Jared goes into a deep dive explaining how your cars AC system works to help prepare you to tackle your own repairs!
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[@brandonbrenny4327]

HVAC guy here. The compressor definitely does not compress the gas to a liquid. That happens in the condenser. The compressor turns a low pressure gas into a high pressure gas.

[@brandonbrenny4327]

Also. Pro tip. Purge your lines as you connect them to push the air out of the lines. Air is a killer in the system.

[@TheQuestionableGarage]

Good clarification, I should have made sure I got that more accurate.

[@MrBillsfishin]

Curious since you specialize in Toyotas. I have a 2005 Lexus Rx and have a weird issue with my AC. It works perfect roughly 50% of the time. It blows nice and cold but then the AC will all of the sudden one day start flashing and it wont blow cold air. Next time i drive or two fine. Then off again. Really weird. ​@@TheQuestionableGarage

[@drewthornton7115]

Was about to say about purging the line. R134a is a blend of gases and is no good for the atmosphere (has a GWP rating of 1430) - needs charging as a liquid to prevent the glide.

[@midnight-xpress1136]

Right? Always remember gases compress, luquid doesn't.

[@halfmat]

Hello Jared, pro tip with the cans, use a hair drier to heat them up and get more out of them. Nice video and info. Ps: is it me, the angle, or those headlights need polishing?

[@josephvantreeck2989]

nice presentation Jared.

[@TheQuestionableGarage]

Thanks!

[@jeast417]

My 14 tahoe ssv blows cold front and rear but will turn the recirculation and ac off when i come to a stop. Not just stop blowing cold, you can watch the lights turn off. When driving its ice cold. I dont know what the problem is

[@mikekozi-lester3887]

Hi Jared nice video 📹 and workmanship!!! I like it ICE 🧊 COLD 🥶!!!!

[@Crustychevrolet]

GM has their problems for sure but having cheap parts pretty much anytime is awesome and one of the reasons I’m a fanboy

[@runsi174]

So i almost finished my project car, just few things to get throu after over a year not running so i got cold almost got healthy again went carting with my friends and got cold again. 😅 But i bought coilovers for that car so it's all good 🤣

[@t-man8411]

I just bought a Tahoe with this same exact problem. You’re a life saver Jared

[@DirtSweatGears]

I just started on my AC project, I took the compressor down to a local rebuilder and got completely schooled on AC by 2 Asian ladies. I'm converting from r12 to r134a so I have a little more work to do than just fixing the existing system. It was such an incredible experience to learn from them and I am very excited to record and share what I learned from them.

[@audidriver53]

R1234yf is supposed to be more efficient and less susceptible to corroding metals. Allowing for thinner/smaller condenser/evaporator core. Mostly from a manufacturing standpoint less material=lower cost. The truth is, they are lying to us. It still corrodes metals, and it's not really more efficient. Most systems I've worked on is now R1234yf, I've never done so many evaporator cores 😅. Wrenching for over 15 years now.

[@jacksoneddins4323]

thing to note with A/C sealant - not only will it clog the system but if you decide that you need to go to a shop they will not work on the system cause it will clog their machines

[@charlesm6797]

As I learned a few months ago, if you use UV Dye to diagnose your problem shops will also refuse to drain your system. My 17 Tahoe condenser had a lovely crack in a factory weld(common issue) 🤦‍♂️

[@TheBibliofilus]

@@charlesm6797 Nowadays the UV dye is combined as a compressor lubricant too, as long as you use the correct stuff and won't pose a problem with draining and reusing the refrigerant. The correct stuff is quite expensive and require a special caulking gun and tube of dye lube with attached AC-quick-connector to fill the system and is usually done by the pro's when fixing the system for showing future leaks.

[@kamiltwardowski3495]

Actually I have to do it on my Yukon, this video is going to make it easier, thanks Jared! 😊

[@TheQuestionableGarage]

You can do it!

[@kamiltwardowski3495]

@@TheQuestionableGarage Have you ever tried to switch the engine off and on to make the ac work for the back? It sometimes work for me so I don’t know if it’s the actuator or not, but it’s a cheap part so I might as well replace that

[@raymondtousey9014]

My neighbor has an '04 Escalade with the same issue. We did the blend door, and like yours the new one didn't work. Call me strange, but I immediately went to the wiring and found a broken wuire in the harness under the right rear door. Soldered that a d viola! it now works.

[@kerrylewis2581]

To look cool, you have to be cool. Great timing. Today's real feel temperature is 111 degrees, and my nephew said his A/C is not blowing correctly.

[@onemansvideos2134]

come to midwest feel like is 66

[@kerrylewis2581]

@@onemansvideos2134 I'm in New Hampshire praying for a thunder storm

[@photondebuger45]

Don't forget when evacuation it does that boil the moisture out and helps add refrigerant, it also removes the air, air is compressible and gets hot too and well like can self ignite if it gets to that point but it doesn't have any properties of refrigerant other than its a gas. All it will to is greatly hinder the ac system and still bring moisture in. You just only want refrigerant and that's it. I took ac at my local college i had so much fun there, loved every moment of it. I'm actually doing my AC on my Sonoma X3 the compressor died in a way and well need to replace everything now it holds amazing vacuum to so happy for that if the compressor isn't dying tho. just waiting for my compressor annoying enough and it's been a week.

[@gabesreef]

Please stop calling all refrigerantes freon. Its the same sad thing that happened to qtips and kleenex. HVACR guys like me get triggered 😂

[@KingKeson]

Great content, very informative video. Awesome job on the repair! Keep up the phenomenal job cranking out banger after banger Jared!!

[@HDRoofer]

Exactly what i would have done. You probably wont need the heat with those Great Pyrenees, they will probably still ask for the a/c 😂.

[@shanecurphey1011]

Sounds like a guy could drill a small hole in the access panel and put a lever with shaft over the blend door shaft with a sharpe, winter and summer on it like my home ac unit and it’s vent door. Time well spent and money well saved. I love manual fixes. That would save you pulling the panels every hot and cold season. Love your content! Thanks for sharing!

[@Mr_CJ_rambo]

Me: wow how tall is he? 2 seconds later: we slammed this GMT to the ground for the dogs 😅😂

[@TheQuestionableGarage]

I’m still 6’7” but yea not quite that tall!

[@tallokie67]

Questions about the procedure with the guage set. When reading pressures, do you need all 4 valves open, or just the two at the lines? When filling, do you need to close the high side valve at the line or just the high side at the guage, or both? When pulling a vacuum, does the engine need to be running or can it be off? I've always been curious if the pump or something would prevent the whole system getting full vaccum. But also think running the system without anything in it would be harmful to it. Thanks!

[@TheQuestionableGarage]

When reading you need the valves on the manifold closed, otherwise they would cross over and show a ‘balanced’ pressure. When filling you need to close the high side valve on the manifold so it only goes through the low side, and when pulling vacuum have both valves open so it can catch the entire system.

[@danielflack7902]

You can not do your own aircon in Australia it's a licensed industry here.

[@TheCarEMT]

Autozone has Loaner vacuum pumps and manifold gauges I have used them on cars I rebuilt to vacuum and recharge the AC I couldn’t survive without AC idk how people can do it

[@hotcolors9455]

You should purge the yellow line using the Schrader valve under the cap above the yellow connection. Turn the can upside down and press the Schrader untill liquid sprays out. You need to do this each time you change cans.

[@themeez1000]

Don't need to use the Schrader valve, just crack the connector he used to connect the hose to the gauge manifold and then tighten when you get liquid.

[@2SlayZGTE]

Very timely, informative and inspiring episode, Jared! The A/C in my IS300 SportCross died and your easy to understand explanation of how A/C systems work will be very helpful in my quest to fix it. Thanks a bunch and keep up the great work!

[@boredom.victim]

like number 26? WOW thanks for the quick fire A.C. Systems 101 class ❤

[@chadstewart8567]

I hate it when it just falls out like that?😂

[@rcadd1ct]

New refrigerant…..the 134 patent ran out.

[@scootersfrog]

the new stuff is flammable cuz it made with propane

[@brandonbrenny4327]

HVAC tech here. This is false.

[@gabesreef]

😂 nope

[@boosTiMon]

I have a 04 Escalade. The front AC blows cold 🥶 the rear about a year ago began just blowing hot so I keep the switch in off position for the rear. I assumed it was a bad thermostat switch located above rear view mirror for the rear AC and heater control. The blend doors actuators! 🤯 I’m assuming each side of the car has these in the back?

[@robertspeer]

Mildly annoyed you’re not sponsored by anyone, seems like a lost opportunity to market folks like me. I ONLY see ads in sponsored content. Here’s a tip, set up a OLP (Optimized Landing Page) with a deal on the product demonstrated. Smooths the process, and you get specific stats These take like an hour once you setup the CMS template. Everyone is a winner Marketing plan done. Now sponsor this guy

[@TheQuestionableGarage]

As far as inserted sponsors I decline a good number of them. I could certainly use the income from them, but if it isn’t a product or brand I personally would use, I won’t advertise for them.

[@robertspeer]

@@TheQuestionableGarage well that’s why the endorsement is valuable. Maybe sell brick shaped hats? ;)

[@novicracker1980]

Its always nice to see this stuff. I learned a lot thanks man. This is what I mean when I say you do you man.

[@TheQuestionableGarage]

I appreciate that

[@novicracker1980]

@@TheQuestionableGarage Damn right Brother. I got you man. Just showing the Love.

[@rjm7168]

Pressure switch in AC dryer/accumulator is not used to adjust anything. It's an on/off switch that turns off the compressor (thereby protecting it) if the refrigerant pressure gets too low.

[@ShadeAssault]

So my 2004 Mini finally got to the point where repairing it wasn't worth it anymore late last year. Traded it on a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder and it has similar multi-zone controls. Thanks for this video. If I ever have any issues, I know where to look.

[@russelljacob7955]

UV die is glorious. Helped me find a leak on my 2015 Triumph motorcycle. ....Turned out to be a leak in the casting of the cylinder head...

[@chrisforte8229]

dye not die. nobody died here.

[@bobbishop9339]

Just a couple points to add: the ac is not a consumable. The freon is reused. This helps with women, and men who don't understand. Also when adding freon the can will freeze making it harder to add. Freon is a gas, it does not flow as ice. Also you really do NOT know what the temp coming out the vents will be. The system does not work that way. It lowers the temp. 25-30 degrees, but then all the vent hoses ect. will warm up the air as it passes through them. Had to explain these like a million times when talking to customers. Hope this helps.

[@M.Boatwright]

I think this video will help my buddy with his Tahoe, just sent him the video.

[@jagunn1972]

Be sure to purge the freon in the fill line before you pull it into the ac system. Having a big air pocket in the system can cause cooling issues to.

[@Cribmaster252]

Thank You

[@ChristopherRaskett-ql7qb]

Good video! I have a 2004 Acura TSX with AC problems The air conditioning is not working, but it appears to have the right amount Of Freon, according to the low pressure value. Previously, when this happened, my previous mechanic, who retired, flushed out the system then it began working again for a couple years. Car is 20 years old so I didn’t want to replace the whole AC system as it would be very expensive. I would like to try flushing out the system again. Is that something that you can do yourself? Apparently, there was some type of blockage. The compressor kicks on as it should when you turn on the AC. But no cold air at all at this point. Thank you! And keep up the awesome videos!

[@midnight-xpress1136]

Take it from me, if you can crush up some ice as fine as you can. Then add distilled or clean drinking water into the ice. Don't float the ice and pour off ant excess water on top. Stick your tgeromert in there and it should read 32°F. If not usually there is an adjustment nut on thr back of the stem. Check in boiling watet to see if you read 212°F (+/-2.2°F) Now you have a calibrated Bi-metal thermometer.

[@RonHelton]

The shraeder valve on my low side and high side both failed on my Suburban (front/rear cooling). Replacing the low pressure was easy, just took out the bad valve and replaced it. The high pressure valve required the purchase of a new one since the valve was enclosed in the body of the enclosure. This vehicle requires 48 ounces or 3 pounds of freon to fill it.

[@HammerWrench]

Folks with 2010-2020 Nissans with no heat or cool when changing the dial, it’s probably the blend door bore that is cracked. Remove the stepper motor to verify. I’ve repaired one and saved my client $2700 replacement at Nissan. And there’s a video. 🛠️

[@doogoodminds8157]

man.. ur one Punny guy!.. and now ur even Cooler! Win Win!

[@joeethereal2968]

GMT830 Chassis: The Perfect Dedicated Pooch Cruiser.

[@ulverop]

Just FYI. A dog weighing 110 lbs will weigh 2600 lbs if you crash at 60 mph. It is just dumb (not questionable) not securing them properly while driving. Here in Europe it is illegal driving with dogs not secured either by a seat belt or in a cage.

[@jesusmercado6947]

Your electric fan should immediately turn on when the AC is commanded.

[@robertluckowski2618]

Probably the switch for the rear ac, like the knob not the actuator

[@xxvjvxx]

used that same type of A/c in a can on a buddy's beater cavalier {1500$ car }and its been cold for like 3 years now but his system was just partially cold all the time, and i could tell the clutch was kicking on so in his case it worked. we got one WITHOUT sealant though

[@Nikoxion]

I personally can't buy AC fridgerant here where I live (Finland), as it's a licenced field. But I appreciate the informative video.

[@jondahl9826]

Theres nothin like GM air conditioning. Every year when it gets over 100 here in northern Ca, I consider pulling the dual AC system out of a Suburban and adapting it to my Titan

[@rollingstocks]

My AC blows cold while I'm driving, but then blows warm when stopped. I think I have a bad evaporator fan or connection to the fan - your video helped me diagnose this - thank you!

[@TheBibliofilus]

Also when working on AC, check for the amount of condensate water draining from the system if it's working. Sometimes those drains clog up and the water builds up and the evaporator freezes up and the system gets unstable and stop working when under heavy load and water can start to flood inside the car.

[@johndonovan7018]

ive done a compressor on most cars ive owned. its ez. now evaporator where you have to tear the dash out can be a nightmare...

[@Corey497]

Best refrigerant? Propane!

[@gabesreef]

R290❤

[@darandeyoe]

R-290

[@mikecole6842]

On the escalade you can use a scan tool and scan it and itll tell you also if there is a blend door issue

[@rjm7168]

Rear air uses an expansion valve. It's a bit of a btvh to change. Just hope your front evaporator isn't clogged.

[@scootersfrog]

PUPPIES!!!

[@someguyintexas1053]

That was cool. ;-)

[@ghostlyraider4890]

Since I replaced my ac compressor on my 2009 Ford Focus it still doesn't blow cold air or even turn on unless holding the connectors together 😅

[@peterbrazier7107]

I can't drive no License also Iam 65, but I watch a lot of car channels on KZbin, Aswell as the Miliary and War channels.

[@shawnczarniak2551]

When the high side pressure is too low, the compressor won't kick on. The compressor usually kick on below 150psi.

[@Yackhammer75]

Talking with a long time home AC guy he refuses to touch the new freon. He says basically the new stuff is just a bomb waiting to explode.

[@kickasspowdercoating]

I want to put that compressor in my Vaper Hone!!!!!

[@tsconver]

You should have bled the air out of the line between the freon can and the gauges. You introduced some air and water.

[@chrisforte8229]

Vled? What is vled? Not a word. Try again.

[@tsconver]

@@chrisforte8229 bled, sorry typo, guess you are perfect

[@brianelliott4464]

I am legit having ac issues with my avalanche and was going to start looking at it tomorrow. Perfect timing!

[@TheQuestionableGarage]

Glad I could help!

[@only1dat]

Mustard gas? Huh, never knew.

[@92Blackjeep]

more specifically, phosgene gas.

[@only1dat]

Lmao, I don't remember that in the ASE test for the refrigerant. Learned something new today, cheers.

[@lar10101]

I have a GP. They're fantastic dogs, but they can't take the heat. My guy likes -20 degrees C

[@R31IceMan]

Sorry to be picky gents but, 1234YF is only slightly flammable.

[@timseiber3982]

Glad to see you back from surgery. So helpful and entertaining. Thanks Jared.

[@keithbrookshire]

I'm glad you closed out with the visuals. There were a couple of times before that I wished you were charting out what you were saying.

[@darrellwiley4288]

I went to tec school for HV/AC and you did a good job

[@orkin2525]

I replaced an AC fan, and the new fan spun the wrong way. It was cool at stops and nothing while driving. Swap the wires and now it works fine.

[@timjones5343]

I'll be dipped !

[@bigmanbuilds]

Perfect timing. I recently attempted to retrofit one of my old civics to 134a, and managed to blow the high pressure relief valve on the compressor because I unintentionally over charged the system

[@danman5741]

Hi i have a 05 escalade with a 6.0. whenever i have the ac on and i move into drive or reverse my engine sounds like a diesel. Has anyone ever had or heard of something similar. I uploaded a video of the sound check my channel for it to listen .any help is appreciated

[@johnnyB1968]

This was a great video and very informative. Thank you. Maybe the use of a power probe to test the blend flap before ordering new parts

[@owen75]

I like to add Spal push fans on my cars to help pull air from outside. Keeps the condenser from getting hot fast and makes it more efficient.

[@glassvial]

South Main Auto just did a video on a Toyota Sienna that had rotted out rear lines that had to be replaced, also a consideration on any larger vehicle that has rear AC that could be the source of your problems.

[@burntnougat5341]

Not good to diy ac work. Every pro shop needs to properly purge the refrigerant before even replacing o rings, condensors, compressors, etc

[@darkside3345]

Unfortunatly for me my blend door actuator in my Avalanche is stuck on heat. Time to take the dash out.

[@XxShantilisxX]

Do that, but on a C5 so I can fix mine 😅. My wife hates that the passenger side is all hot air and the driver side is cool

[@Devastator0]

Love your work as always Jared!

[@TheQuestionableGarage]

Much appreciated!

[@jeffanderson6217]

The explanation and visual aids are great!

[@kickasspowdercoating]

Great episode 😎😎

[@kyle207]

You should do the chrisfix headlight special. Those are looking a little foggy

[@garfixit]

You left out bubbles in the sight glass and pressure willl change as the expansion vale opens and closes

[@CajunShrek]

12:14 forgot to talk about static pressure while off

[@TheQuestionableGarage]

I go over it in more detail at the end in a white board setup!

[@ldstirling]

I freakin' HATE the lowered look of this truck.

[@Ne0n570]

This guys got ac?!?!? What does he think he is better then us?!?!? 😂😂😂😂

[@marvinstoker4267]

Looks like the harbor freight tool. The ac pressure check thing .

[@kevinkaup3485]

Been threw the same thing with my 06 gmc Yukon denalie

[@carllindgren7130]

:)

[@87fubar]

i traded one of my projects for a pickup with ice cold a/c

[@AoiKaze2000]

You need more doge, gotta show that they like the cold air =P

[@themeez1000]

Master ASE mechanic turned HVAC technician here. You always purge your gauges and hoses of air before adding refrigerant. Jared you introduced air into the system. It will never work correctly that way

[@midnight-xpress1136]

Im not an HVAC-R guy, but i was cringing about that too.purge tge service line.

[@themeez1000]

@@midnight-xpress1136 yup.

[@marklane9417]

Are those gold Trump shoes.....🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@JGarcia2016]

38:50- professor jared explaining to us students on how to wrench 🔧 everyday.. 😊👍👌✌️🫡😄👏👏

[@firemanjeffgg2440]

The Schrader valves are a common leak point

[@hardwurkindaddy]

Not sure if my info is just old, but my AC instructor in school (mumble mumble mumble) years ago told me to never shock the compressor by dumping liquid freon into the low side by holding the can upside down. Has that changed or have you never heard that? I'm not judging, I'm curious.

[@TheQuestionableGarage]

I should have brought that up, if it’s a totally dead system you wouldn’t want to do that, but in my practical experience I’ve not seen an issue with a charged system working.

[@russmanhi]

@@TheQuestionableGarage This actually comes down to how close your low pressure port is to the compressor suction. Your caddi's port is upstream of the evaporator so far from the compressor, but one should look and ensure the port is not downstream of the evaporator and so too close to the compressor.

[@hardwurkindaddy]

@russmanhi ok that makes sense. Say if your low side port is mounted directly to the compressor like those old Ford piston compressors, or some of the ones on industrial fleet trucks where they mount straight to the rear of the unit.

[@ppeters480]

Great video, if only the front blend door actuators were as easy to replace as the rear ones, I'm not sure how GM compares to Ford, but some on the Fords are really difficult to replace and some you need to pull the dash on some models to replace one. Just replaced an evaporator on a 2016 Ford Fusion, the dash has to come out as well as both front doors to complete the job, good times !

[@TheQuestionableGarage]

I saw someone’s video that suggested just hacking the box and dash open for the front blend door, that seemed a little excessive!