HAWK429

My compressor in my '99 Firehawk has been making squeeking noises sounding like a pulley that needs to be lubricated for some time now. Unfortunately I didn't realize that's what the problem was until a few days ago and now the compressor makes this loud wining sound that gets louder as the engine revs up. The A/C has been blowing cold up until today where it is now blowing cool, but not cold.

Obviously I now have to replace the compressor, which I've ordered, and that is where my needed help comes into play. I've also ordered an Accumulator, Orifice Tube and a Seal Kit all for around $50 (compressor not included). The car has 58K miles on it and I live in Houston where it is hotter than hell and A/C is a must and not a luxury. I haven't seen any freezing or anything like that on any components and everything looks "normal," but functions badly. My questions are:

1) Are there any other parts I should/need to replace?
2) Is this something I can do on my own (minus taking it somewhere to get flushed out since I don't have the tools) or should I take it to a mechanic? I recently did a head gasket replacement on my '95 Firehawk so I'm somewhat adept at working on cars, but I've never done an A/C before and I don't have the $1500 or so dollars to fix it now.
3) What steps should I take to fix this and/or is there a place online that shows a good step by step process to do this?
4) Is there anything I should know or that I am forgetting to include here?

Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance everyone!

fleetmgr

Looks like you've got it covered parts wise.

You probably want to take it to the shop for flush/charge, as it takes tooling you can't rent and probably don't have.

HAWK429

Thanks for the reassurance. My plan is to take it to a shop for the flush and charge and you're right, I don't have those tools.

jcws6

iTrader: (1)

If you want to save some money, you can charge the system yourself, with a couple cans of freon+oil+dye and a charge tube with an inline pressure tester.

The main thing you need the mechanic for is to "evacuate" the system. Basically, they hook a powerful vaccuum system up to the A/C system to pull all of the water vapor out. Usually takes 30-60 minutes. This step will also verify that you did the work properly, since they'll tell you if the system won't hold a vaccuum.

After the system has been evacuated, you can drive it home & fill it yourself. Most mechanics charge a ridiculous amount for A/C recharges. It's really only a 15 minute job when you do it on your own.

01Z0H6

iTrader: (63)

I too am having a high pitched squeal (for lack of a better term) @ either my Compressor clutches going out, or a lower bet tensioner. A/C blows ICE cold. Just replaced everything last year from compressor to firewall.. Like you, i will start with the tensioner to see if that is the culprit. Luckily for me i have the warranty on the Compressor.

THE BAD:
Having to evacuate the sytem again and recharge "If" it is the compressor.

GL... and know that you are not alone.

HAWK429

Thanks a lot, that's good to know!!! I found a guy that used to work in a shop that will replace everything and vacuum the lines and add the oil and freon for $225. He came highly recommended and for that amount of money I'd rather him do it than me. I'll post the results after it gets done although the A/C just got put on the back burner since my clutch is now having problems.

It stuck to the floor, for the most part (it came up a little; about an inch or two) when I pushed it in yesterday evening and I had to use my foot to pull it up every time I switched gears as well as having to rev up the engine to get it to go into gear. Then, later that night I went out and tried it again to see if it still had the problem the clutch worked fine, for the most part. I checked the clutch fluid level and it was good, so I'm not too sure what the problem is. I'll start another thread about this later, but until I do do any of you have any ideas?

When it rains, it pours!