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A/C leak making a fool out of me!

Impala131

Impala131

New member
Solved! See new post(s).

My 1999 Grand Prix GTP has had a bad A/C leak since I've owned it. (Bad as in it pisses all your 134a out in under an hour.) You'd think a leak this large would be easy to find. Today, I tried UV dye/134a combination and a small UV light. Nothing. Also tried the soap and water method, no bubbling anywhere.

When I try listening for the noise, it seems to be very close to the accumulator. I saw some bright green UV dye around one of the connections, so I replaced the accumulator and o-rings and repeated the process. Again, noisy leak. Felt around with my hands around all the A/C lines, hoses, fittings and connections. Can't feel or see a damn thing. The only A/C part that I can't see well in the vicinity of the hissing is the condenser. I know the condenser is a big PITA to pull out to get a good look at, so hopefully that's my last option. Looking at the front of the condenser, I don't see any signs of leaking or damage. Nothing from the side as far as I can see, either.

If you have any opinions, suggestions, or advice, please share.
 
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Please post your findings when a solution is resolved. I have read many various threads regarding this platform and A/C. I have yet to encounter a thread with one as strange as yours. Good luck.
 
Went back out last night to take another stab with the UV light. When I got under the car, I noticed a lot of the UV die around one of the mini clamps that holds down the lines for the condenser. I'm thinking that it's actually leaking under one of those little clamps (maybe one of the clamps rubbed/wore through the aluminum line?). Considering the location of the hissing when I heard it, it is a possibility. I'd probably have to pull the whole condenser out to get a good look, though. Couple questions:

I understand that I have to disconnect the radiator cooling and the radiator itself to get to the condenser. Do I necessarily have to drain the coolant? (I'm at an apartment complex and I don't think they would care for that.)

Is there a reasonable way to patch the condenser, or is a replacement in order?
 
You'll have to drain the coolant because you have to pull the radiator out of the car to get the condenser out. Put a big plastic container under the car and it'll catch most of it.
 
I was afraid you'd say that. I'm going to have to put this project on hold, then, until I'm somewhere I can drain the fluid. I've done it before, but I'd rather not try draining a sweet smelling, but deadly fluid somewhere small children run around unsupervised, even if I'm catching the liquid. I was hoping it'd be possible to unbolt the radiator, pick it up, and push it back with the hoses still connected while I take the condenser out.
 


How do you even take the rad out? I have the same exact problem coming from the same area. Do you take off the front bumper and pull it through there or do you have to take off the dogbones and pull it back between the rad support and engine?
 
pull the dogbones then the fans and you'll see the 2 rad supports you have to pull out of the way.
 
Thanks a lot, that saved me a bunch of time. It looks like a tight squeeze. Yeah didnt mean to jack the thread, I am just having the exact same problem and my leak is exactly at the same spot. The dye is actually dripping onto the splash shield and it leaks out in honestly 2 minutes. So I'm right with the OP on this one
 
This is my 3rd 3800 series 2 98-2002 GM vehicle, and if my diagnosis is correct, it'd be 3 for 3 with bad condensers. Based on what I've read, this is an extremely common part to fail. When I replace this, I'm going aftermarket, no OEM replacement for me.
 


My grandma's intrigue had the condenser fail but it looked like her car had been tapped in the front a little bit.
 
To GTP131, I just ordered myself a condenser from performance radiator for $79.95. I work at a body shop so I got a discount, but if you are looking for aftermarket, maybe give them a call and see what price you can get one for.
 
Last Friday, I drove to my parent's home with a new condenser (decided to replace the condenser because it was the only element close to the hissing sound that I could not see). It wasn't too difficult of a job, I intended to do a proper write-up, but with a heat index of 110 degrees in Grand Rapids, MI area, I didn't want to dick around with a camera. Sorry guys.

Anyway, when I pulled the condenser out, I immediately noticed an area that was very damaged and chewed up. Funny thing, the damage was on the radiator side of the condenser! The other side of the condenser showed no damage whatsoever, and the radiator appeared to be in decent shape as well. I can't say for certain what caused this damage, but after replacing the condenser, vacuuming down the system for about an hour, and adding refrigerant, I've had nice, ice cold air for a few days now with no sign of any other leaks.

I'm happy to answer any questions about this process and my findings if it'll help anyone else with a similar issue. Also, I have a picture of the damaged condenser that I can upload as well.
 
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