Pontiac Repair: 1994 Graqnd Prix, mass airflow sensor, manifold gaskets

Question
Hi, I just purchased a 1994 Grand Prix for my son. The person says it has 59,000 on and it has been sitting for the passed 5 years. He put a trans in it, I have only driven it about 50 miles but I noticed smoke comming from the drivers side top of the engine, under the mass airflow sensor. I am hopping it left over oil form the trans swap and will burn off. What else could it be up there ? alot I guess. He also said the ac is charged but as soon as you turn on the blower switch the ac light comes on and can not be shut off. It blows warm, Any ideas what I should check first ? Thank you for your help.

Answer
Hi Wendell:

well it could be oil from the swap but If it continues it's something else. If this has a 3.1 liter engine the lower intake manifold gaskets leak both oil and coolant and that is more likely where it's coming from. As for the a/c it's more than likely low or out of a charge of refrigerant. If you live in the rust belt like I do I'd look at the condenser as being the cause of the leak. but if this car has sat for that long it could be any number of things like a seal on one of the lines or the seal in the front of the compressor may have died out due to sitting. I'd get a a/c charge&tracer dye and put it into the system and let it run and see if the dye shows up anywhere.. DO NOT buy any kind of a/c charge and stop leak kit those cause more trouble then they are worth. Good luck :)