Stupid A/C Design

[RNajarian]

The A/C on my 2005 Base is “eh” to say the least. It does OK in 80-90 degree Southern CA weather. The wife thought it would be a good idea to escape the heat wave by going east to Palm Desert- daytime high 120 degrees. A/C did ok, but before the 150 mile trip back home I topped off the A/C with a can of 134a.

All went well with that and temperatures seemed to improve.

The problem now is the $&@&& hose won’t come off the low pressure side. The design of the connection does not leave very much room.

If I were at home I would use thin vice grips while pushing down on the ring connector and holding the top part of the low pressure hose in the meantime.

But since I’m not home I’m going to leave the hose attached for the drive home. The hood does close and the hose is tucked away where the power steering reservoir is. The empty can of 134a wedges itself in the engine compartment.

Fingers crossed nothing goes wrong on the drive home. I suppose if I suddenly lose A/C I’ll know something went wrong.

[RNajarian]

Ok, maybe not THAT stupid.

Note to self or anyone else servicing your A/C system. Remove the plastic trim (4 plastic screws) and you will have much better access to the low (and high) pressure ports.

The A/C recharge connection went bad and that is why it was so hard to remove.

I was able to get it off without breaking anything so everything worked out on the end.

Since that trim is off I might as well replace the engine air filter. . . Time to visit our Host.