Video

Neat trick cranking the engine over birefly while having a ratchet on the crank balancer bolt to break it free, i've never seen that before!

Great Job!

I am considering doing something similar. I am buying a new a/c unit this summer. I plan on raising the a/c up, digging out enough dirt to get a 2x4 frame under it, and using quick-drying concrete( like used for post holes) to make a new pad that won't be unstable for the new AC. The A-frame is a good option.

Thank you very much for the videos, I have the same problem and I had no idea where to start, now I have the parts and I'm going to start, thanks again

Thanks for doing this. I need do this with the base pad falling apart. I guess it's not really a concrete base.

Where did you get the print out?

good info

terrible design by gm

I had to do the exact job! I decided to do the intake and timing cover as it required to remove all the same parts!! And if you wanna be an over achiever!! Might as well do head gaskets!! You are already there!

Another 20 years? yeah right. lol Nice Video though. Goes to show the AC unit height and location is not set in stone.

Going to do the same. But mine needs raised a good 10" it sunk so bad. Sadly, I'm going to have to have the hard copper line unhooked and discharged (i have no give or "flex" in my copper line). Plys they used indoor romrx wire. Going to run new wire in plastic tubing. You not only did a nice job but you did it right

nice video you did a lot of work. I'm sorry to say its not going to last you have a erosion problem in that area the area under the pad needed to be built up with something like paver base that won't wash away it will pack down and stay in place top soil is going to just keep washing away. even with the wood chips. also replace the missing pavers they will help contain the chips and keep them from washing away over time

Does this cause any issues with the pipe coming from the house to the AC unit? I belive it's copper no? Would this cause a crack or kink?

With that much removed it may be wise to replace the timing chain, and gears, and water pump. Cheap insurance to avoid tearing everything apart again.

Brilliant idea!! Just finished cleaning the coils when I noticed it had sunk due to erosion and MOLES. Before building the A FRAME (which I like), i will place ladders beside the unit and span a 3x4 or a section of 2” black pipe (all leftovers from projects) and lift away. Brilliant!!!!

Good job!

I need to lift mine up also. Its sinking worse than yours.

On which site did you get the written instructions?

Usually what I do is take a shovel and wedge it under a corner of the pad, then push down on it and put rocks underneath. Then do other corners until unit is properly level. Being unlevel puts strain on the fan motor and causes premature failure

DIWhy

I can't believe it can be this good

There is no reason to disconnect anything except the AC power. And there should be disconnect right near the unit. The only issue with lifting it is the more it moves around, the more likely a refrigerant line will crack. But, yeah, that would be easier and quicker.

Annoying background noise

The Black on the foundation is actually a coating put on by the builder to seal it from the outside.

At 1:52 in your video it looks like you had standing water with that black line on the wall probably was leaking in the basement window wells and putting the unit under water at the back. I would suggest putting small 3ft boxing overhang with a gutter along that side of your house just for extra water collection and on the ground maybe 3-4ft wide 2inch concrete slab at a slight angle away from the house under the new overhang will solve any future leaking plus the unit can sit on the new 2 inch slab.

Thank you for the video I bought my mom a 97 buick century with same engine and have a leak the same spot so getting ready to do the same thing. Hoping it’s not intake leaks. Got the car for $600 and the the intake gasket and the timing gasket was done about 7 years ago with paper work to prove

What did you get those instructions from? I need to work on my 3.4 Pontiac Grand Am 2002

that was an overkill !!!!czcams.com/video/ZnrL-RsQVX4/video.html

Are you sure you didn’t work building the pyramids in Egypt? Lol,very ingenious way to lift the unit,I have the same brand but I just lifted the low side and added wedges between the condenser and the concrete pad to level it ,most of the concrete companies can do this by pumping mud or foam under the pad to level it.They use this method all the time for driveways and sidewalks.

That's a great idea but as you will see there is too much organic matter in that dirt, it could break down faster than expected.

we have stable condenser pads

Thank you for posting. This video really gave me a good understanding of the repair procedure. When you get to replacing the lower intake gaskets, I strongly recommend upgrading to the metal Fel-Pro gaskets part# MIK98003T. I also recommend replacing both heater hose quick disconnect fittings as these become brittle and will crack easily if they're moved to make room to move parts out of the way or disconnecting the heater hoses. If your vehicle has over 100K I highly suggest replacing the radiator coolant and heater hoses. These engines operate at temperatures over 220 degrees and any small crack will cause the cooling system to lose pressure causing the cooling fans to turn on over 220 degrees. I've seen a lot of people misdiagnose a hotter than normal engine by replacing thermostats and water pumps. Performing a cooling system pressure test can help determine if there's an internal or external coolant leak. This information also applies to the 3.4l engines.

Where did you get the repair procedure from?

I believe it is difficult to get the power steering pump out without either removing the upper lid or wants the timing cover came away and eighth of an inch it pops right out but you have to remember to put it back into before you go back together;-)

I might have used builders sand instead of top soil. The sand would be more stable over time.

Thank you so much... This helped me big time! It wasn't an easy project... But not hard either. 5" lift... Successful! Saved me a ton of money. Appreciate it

Hey Rick! Just a note to tell you I no longer have your vette. I sold it to a museum in California who said they were going to keep it. The next thing I know it is purchased by some female in Florida. She sold it to a car dealership in Fort Lauderdale. It was sold again and I quit keeping up with it. I can tell you I took the car to the Texas NCRS judging event and won a first place ribbon on it. Judging was based on originality. The original spare tire gave them goosebumps! There is actually a video on CZcams showing the car for sale at the dealership.

Lot of negative comments from the keyboard warriors here. Thanks for sharing, gave me some ideas for how to lift mine so I can regrade.

I assume you meant the wood is 2x3's and 2x4's?

Bothers him

Nicely done! Most people have no idea how bad it is for any type of refrigerant compressor to run while not being level. Most campers actually have a warning sticker for refrigerator saying not run it until after the camper has been leveled.

Don't don't don't give advice unless you're 100% sure because a little knowledge can be very dangerous for people that are not equipped granted I am a certified tech and been doing this for years but you're saying I'm not sure if this is a sensor yes that is the crankshaft position sensor and you don't want to damage it

I feel dumb just watching this bullshit. You did all that work on a old ass system that broken right now or has already been replaced. Just say you were bored and needed to stay busy.

Looking at the same issue. Will likely have an AC buddy come vacuum it down and pull the unit. I have a concrete pad so plan on just building a form around it and pouring and filling it to level. Annoys the hell out of me.

I darn near laughed out loud at ya when you thought your AC was out of whack.. The reason I am here is to figure out how to level mine out, and it is wayyyyy more out of whack than yours.

This is now on my list of-things-to-do...Thanks RICK!

How difficult was it to lower the unit back down? Don't those ratchet straps just release, or do they slowly loosen?

9:03 where's my finger? 😂😂😂

You got some exercise, but the job was unnecessary for the amount of lean you had. If the lean really bothered you, you could have dug out under the pad, from the front, with a little hand shovel until the condenser leaned forward and then rammed gravel into your little excavation.

It's like a party watching this video! Great tunes.