'86 Chevy Caprice - No heat or A/C

DsN · 05-27-2008, 08:03 PM

About 5 years ago my grandfather passed away and left me his car. For 5 years it pretty much sat in the driveway. I have since had some things fixed and fixed a few things myself. When my grandfather was driving it, it had heat. I am not sure about the A/C. However, since pulling the car out of "retirement" I now have neither.

It blows room temperature air on all settings. Now it could be the heater core died and the refrigerant evaporated I guess ... The car did sit for 5 years and it showed. I was wondering if someone had some other suggestions though - stuck flap, blocked hose, etc?

**Tbars4** · 05-27-2008, 08:27 PM

...I would think that the O rings for the hoses would have failed over 5 years of sitting...

...The compressor shouldn't be to happy either...

*Texan01* · 05-27-2008, 09:46 PM

The HVAC system on that car is pretty simple. most likely the R4 compressor failed long ago (they weren't exactly what I'd call junk, but they didn't last all that long either, we had an 84 Olds Delta 88 that never needed one but ate blower motors with regularity, but an '84 Pontiac Sunbird that went through two of them) The other possible leak point is the cycling switches.

Check the heater shutoff valve for vacuum or it may just be stuck. Should be open in any position other than Max A/C. Does it blow air through all outlets or just defrost? Does it blow air at all?

The gas mileage on those with a decent tune-up if memory serves from the Olds was decent at 15-16 in town and we got 22 on the road with a 3 speed automatic tranny and 2.41 rear end. They are actually pretty light for a full size sedan, ours weighed in at 3500 pounds.

DsN · 05-27-2008, 10:09 PM

Thanks for the replies, making a checklist of these items. hehe

I figure the A/C will likely need to be switched from R12 to R134A anyway as I don't think I can get R12 anymore from my previous sources. The local A/C specialist quoted me $175 to switch it, assuming everything else within the system is working properly - which it does not seem to be (hence the post).

*Texan01* · 05-27-2008, 11:42 PM

also check to make sure the water pump is actually pumping coolant, and the thermostat is good (not stuck open).

I'm willing to bet it's a stuck thermostat. they are kind of notorious for that. The Olds would about once a year decide to kill a thermostat, usually at the wrong time and in the wrong place.

The E4ME (electronic Quadrajet) might need to be re-gasketed if it leaks gas. You might need to replace the mechanical fuel pump as well (I can't remember when they moved from the 4 barrel carb to fuel injection, if it was 86 or 87)

They are pretty simple cars actually, kind of a cross between the '60 mechanicals with '80s technology. To pull codes all you need is a paperclip!

DsN · 05-28-2008, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texan01

also check to make sure the water pump is actually pumping coolant, and the thermostat is good (not stuck open).

I'm willing to bet it's a stuck thermostat. they are kind of notorious for that. The Olds would about once a year decide to kill a thermostat, usually at the wrong time and in the wrong place.

The E4ME (electronic Quadrajet) might need to be re-gasketed if it leaks gas. You might need to replace the mechanical fuel pump as well (I can't remember when they moved from the 4 barrel carb to fuel injection, if it was 86 or 87)

They are pretty simple cars actually, kind of a cross between the '60 mechanicals with '80s technology. To pull codes all you need is a paperclip!

Fuel injection. It's also got some guages fitted back when it was a taxi (this car has history hehe) for temp, battery and oil pressure. No signs of probs from the temp guage.

About a year ago we moved and the local mechanic (who turned out to be a real pr*ck but I digress ..) worked on it. Here's a list of what he replaced (just for the sake of completeness): plugs, pcv valve, fuel filter, distributor cap, ignition rotor, battery cable, all the belts and the alternator.

Anyway, nothing related as you can see so it seems I'm working with items at least 6 years old or more. As far as getting from A to B though, the car has actually passed state inspection and I've had 3 seperate mechanics from 3 different shops tell me the car is in phenemonal shape mechanically.

05-27-2008, 08:03 PM	#1
DsN Wannabe Elite Explorer Pennsylvania '00 Mountaineer V8 Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 35 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	'86 Chevy Caprice - No heat or A/C About 5 years ago my grandfather passed away and left me his car. For 5 years it pretty much sat in the driveway. I have since had some things fixed and fixed a few things myself. When my grandfather was driving it, it had heat. I am not sure about the A/C. However, since pulling the car out of "retirement" I now have neither. It blows room temperature air on all settings. Now it could be the heater core died and the refrigerant evaporated I guess ... The car did sit for 5 years and it showed. I was wondering if someone had some other suggestions though - stuck flap, blocked hose, etc?

05-27-2008, 08:27 PM	#2
Tbars4 Offroad Moderator anaheim hills,california 95 ranger 4x4/ 91 X 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 21,956 Vehicle Specs	...I would think that the O rings for the hoses would have failed over 5 years of sitting......The compressor shouldn't be to happy either... __________________ I have Rocks in my head. What's in yours? '95 ranger xl 4x4 2.3L std cab, 2 sticks Ranger RegistryThe Squirrel '91 4x4=To much to list, much more to add.. Project "X" and more Pics & Mod's List How to: Wheels,Tires, & Lifts... Buy Explorerforum.com Items here

05-27-2008, 09:46 PM	#3
Texan01 312,000+ Dallas, TX 1995 Explorer XLT Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 729 Vehicle Specs	The HVAC system on that car is pretty simple. most likely the R4 compressor failed long ago (they weren't exactly what I'd call junk, but they didn't last all that long either, we had an 84 Olds Delta 88 that never needed one but ate blower motors with regularity, but an '84 Pontiac Sunbird that went through two of them) The other possible leak point is the cycling switches. Check the heater shutoff valve for vacuum or it may just be stuck. Should be open in any position other than Max A/C. Does it blow air through all outlets or just defrost? Does it blow air at all? The gas mileage on those with a decent tune-up if memory serves from the Olds was decent at 15-16 in town and we got 22 on the road with a 3 speed automatic tranny and 2.41 rear end. They are actually pretty light for a full size sedan, ours weighed in at 3500 pounds.

05-27-2008, 10:09 PM	#4
DsN Wannabe Elite Explorer Pennsylvania '00 Mountaineer V8 Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 35 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thanks for the replies, making a checklist of these items. hehe I figure the A/C will likely need to be switched from R12 to R134A anyway as I don't think I can get R12 anymore from my previous sources. The local A/C specialist quoted me $175 to switch it, assuming everything else within the system is working properly - which it does not seem to be (hence the post).

05-27-2008, 11:42 PM	#5
Texan01 312,000+ Dallas, TX 1995 Explorer XLT Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 729 Vehicle Specs	also check to make sure the water pump is actually pumping coolant, and the thermostat is good (not stuck open). I'm willing to bet it's a stuck thermostat. they are kind of notorious for that. The Olds would about once a year decide to kill a thermostat, usually at the wrong time and in the wrong place. The E4ME (electronic Quadrajet) might need to be re-gasketed if it leaks gas. You might need to replace the mechanical fuel pump as well (I can't remember when they moved from the 4 barrel carb to fuel injection, if it was 86 or 87) They are pretty simple cars actually, kind of a cross between the '60 mechanicals with '80s technology. To pull codes all you need is a paperclip!