2015 Silverado AC issues - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

Apparently all of those letters I keep getting in the mail about class action law suits about the 2015 (and similar) Silverado trucks have some merit. My AC isn't cooling (now that the weather is warm) and close inspection revealed a cracked high pressure AC line at the compressor. I figured this out after putting gauges on it and finding 18 psi on the low pressure side (it should be around 35 psi). It seemed to be leaking freon almost as fast as I was putting it in. Ultimately, I ordered new high and low pressure lines (from the compressor and to the compressor), an expansion valve and drier assembly. Add in freon and new belts and I'm looking at about $550 in parts...give or take.

Apparently these trucks are known for compressor issues, high pressure line issues and there's a weld in the condenser that's known to crack. I sprayed soapy water on the condenser and I didn't see any bubbles. Tomorrow, I'll tear it all apart and swap out the lines. I'm hoping this doesn't turn into an all day event....

I've also learned that we now have "stretch fit" belts that don't use an idler pulley. I hadn't run into this before and sadly I didn't find it in time to get the proper tools delivered. However, my neighbor is a former dealer tech and a newly minted Matco dealer. He happened to have a few of the tools GM used to send with new belts, so he gave me a set of those so I can hopefully get the belt on without too much drama.

I'll keep you posted.

trackbird View Member Profile	May 22 2021, 12:59 AM Post #1
FRRAX Owner/Admin Group: Admin Posts: 15,432 Joined: 13-February 04 From: Ohio Member No.: 196	Apparently all of those letters I keep getting in the mail about class action law suits about the 2015 (and similar) Silverado trucks have some merit. My AC isn't cooling (now that the weather is warm) and close inspection revealed a cracked high pressure AC line at the compressor. I figured this out after putting gauges on it and finding 18 psi on the low pressure side (it should be around 35 psi). It seemed to be leaking freon almost as fast as I was putting it in. Ultimately, I ordered new high and low pressure lines (from the compressor and to the compressor), an expansion valve and drier assembly. Add in freon and new belts and I'm looking at about $550 in parts...give or take. Apparently these trucks are known for compressor issues, high pressure line issues and there's a weld in the condenser that's known to crack. I sprayed soapy water on the condenser and I didn't see any bubbles. Tomorrow, I'll tear it all apart and swap out the lines. I'm hoping this doesn't turn into an all day event.... I've also learned that we now have "stretch fit" belts that don't use an idler pulley. I hadn't run into this before and sadly I didn't find it in time to get the proper tools delivered. However, my neighbor is a former dealer tech and a newly minted Matco dealer. He happened to have a few of the tools GM used to send with new belts, so he gave me a set of those so I can hopefully get the belt on without too much drama. I'll keep you posted.

trackbird View Member Profile	May 27 2021, 01:01 AM Post #2
FRRAX Owner/Admin Group: Admin Posts: 15,432 Joined: 13-February 04 From: Ohio Member No.: 196	https://www.autozone.com/a-c-charging-and-r...319_0?rrec=true I like this style of connection. You can hook it up, then you screw down the fitting to release the schrader valve. I have this style for R134 and I wouldn't own anything else. I think I paid $129 for my set from NAPA. I've had them for years. The other thing, try to find a set that comes in a hard case. Mine wind up hanging on the end of a shelving unit because I don't have a good way to store them. I'd have probably paid another $50 to get some in a case. I also don't love the idea of dual gauges. It seems that you could easily contaminate the system with the other type of refrigerant or oil from the other system (assuming they aren't the same). I'd prefer to keep them as different gauge sets.