After working flawlessly since I've had the car, the A/C suddenly barely blows cool air. Any suggestions?

 

and it feels like 105Degrees in Houston today.

 

Yeah - THAT too.

I can hear the A/C clutch engaging - it's just not putting out cold air...

 

I'm not well versed in A/C systems.

 

more often than not its a leak leaving you with a low refrigerant charge, but only an AC system check will be able to determine that.

 

Seems to have happened quite suddenly - perhaps I've been losing charge for a while and only just really noticed it....

 

follow any large vehicles ?

r134a systems are very sensitive to charge levels and do not have nearly the reserve that the old r12 had..

First thing,

add some florscent dye to system
run ac
(if you have it) use a UV light to look for leaks, otherwise a high intenesity light
if found note location(s) of leak(s) and get it (them) fixed.

Most common places are

condensor
compressor seals
shroeder valves

 

Turns out the refrigerant level was less than half of what it should have been - so I just juiced it with a recharge kit. Blows cold now.

Time will tell just how big of a leak actually exists - I'm just glad it's not the compressor!!!

 

I was going to suggest a recharge. Hopefully that will be a long term fix.

 

Yeah - me too. But to be honest, I've had the car for over 4 years & have never had to recharge it so I guess if it lasts, I got off light.

 

there is a leak. it does not just loose the charge over time. you need to find the leak and fix it.