2011 GMC Acadia AC blowing hot air
Asked by Kmug93 Jul 01, 2019 at 12:35 PM about the 2011 GMC Acadia SLE-1 FWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
My '11 Acadia SLE started blowing hot air. We
added refrigerant and it blew cold for about a 30
minute drive home. An hour later got back in the
car and it was hot again. My husband added more
refrigerant and cycle continued.
A mobile mechanic took a look and said our AC
was overcharged and had air in the system. We
evacuated the system and they did a vac test to
make sure there was no leak. Vac held. Put freon in
and Ac started blowing cold again for about an
hour then back to hot. Husband added freon again
and cycle continued again.
Been about 4 months without AC now. Anyone
have this issue with their Acadia? If so, what was
the fix? Or any suggestions?
4 Answers
I would have the system leak tested. Instead of pulling a vacuum to see if there is a leak try a different method. Have a shop put some refrigerant in that contains a dye that will leave a residue at the spot that is leaking and can be seen under an ultraviolet light. After driving for a day or two, he can scan the engine bay for any signs of a leak and repair as needed. If you did have or still have a leak, your system will now have both air and refrigerant in it. It must be evacuated again to clear all the air before refilling. Good luck.
We’ve had the same issues the last 2 weeks. Got the freon recharged and within 24 hours it was back to hot air. Finally they discovered that the power steering line had made a hole in the ac line. I had to take it to a dealer to fix. $1600 later....we made sure to put the two lines not by each other so it doesn’t happen again.
Have your blend door actuators and compressor checked. Our whole A/C system had to be rebuilt to the tune of an $1800 repair bill. They put a dye in the system to check for leaks after they rebuilt it, which they said takes months for it to fully work through the system. Our rear A/C hasn't been at 100% some before they rebuilt the system, so it's back now being checked. We live in an area where A/C in the summer is NOT optional, at least for me. We are also now looking at an oil leak in the air intake tubing somewhere, along with a new water pump. I expect reasonable repairs and maintenance, but depending on our repair estimate, I may be looking to trade soon. I just hate it because this is my dream car, and even if I get another used SUV, what issues could it have? I don't like the idea of buying new and do NOT like the new Acadia design at all. Good luck with your A/C though!!!
the ac depends on a leak or not the water pump is an easy fix i did mine in the street took an hour and your intake oil leak also solved gms desighn flaw from the valve cover vent into a home made catch can using an oil can with the vent inti that with a rag on the bottom all better