AC problem (think its compressor)
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,556
Likes: 0
From: Nawf Carolina
AC problem (think its compressor) Ok, well my AC blows, but not cold.
So I assumed it needed recharging and went and got 2 cans of R134A and one can of oil.
Go put the little hose on it, and it wont take a charge. Mess around with that for a while, making sure the hose isn't clogged, even try another hose. Still wont take.
So I take it to a little local mechanic and he slaps some guages on the Hi and Lo ends, and they are both reading basically the same pressure, around 125 to 130 I think. He seems to think something is wrong with the compressor, yet a visual inspection of it shows that both the inside and the outside of the wheel are spinning. He refered me to another shop.
Any ideas?
J.
So I assumed it needed recharging and went and got 2 cans of R134A and one can of oil.
Go put the little hose on it, and it wont take a charge. Mess around with that for a while, making sure the hose isn't clogged, even try another hose. Still wont take.
So I take it to a little local mechanic and he slaps some guages on the Hi and Lo ends, and they are both reading basically the same pressure, around 125 to 130 I think. He seems to think something is wrong with the compressor, yet a visual inspection of it shows that both the inside and the outside of the wheel are spinning. He refered me to another shop.
Any ideas?
J.
Re: AC problem (think its compressor) was it blowing cold prior to adding freon?
If yes...compressor or expansion valve.
Other wise it could be overserviced. 134a systems will not cool well when over serviced. Recover the freon, vacum down, then add the exact amount called for in the manual.
If yes...compressor or expansion valve.
Other wise it could be overserviced. 134a systems will not cool well when over serviced. Recover the freon, vacum down, then add the exact amount called for in the manual.
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,556
Likes: 0
From: Nawf Carolina
Re: AC problem (think its compressor) Well it hasn't blown cold in over a year. I was just too lazy to service it last summer (I assumed that all I needed was a recharge).
Now I want to fix it, but in retrospect delaying it a year probably wasn't a good idea. Although if this turns into a money pit I'll just say forget it and I'll remove the entire AC system.
J.
Now I want to fix it, but in retrospect delaying it a year probably wasn't a good idea. Although if this turns into a money pit I'll just say forget it and I'll remove the entire AC system.
J.
Re: AC problem (think its compressor) Have seen a few a/c compressors snap the shaft.
The clutch engages, spins the drive hub but the
compressor does nothing. Your gonna prolly need a new compressor.
But along with that replacement,other things have to be done to make it right & cover the compressor under a warranty.
You are gonna need a new accumulator/drier, & oriffice tube. Then importantly the system will need to get flushed. When the compressor took a $hit it likely sent metal debris into the system.
So the evaporator & mostly the condenser need to be flushed. It sucks but there is a right way...
You can go get a junk yard one, but if it injests old compressor fragments
your back where ya started. 
The clutch engages, spins the drive hub but the
compressor does nothing. Your gonna prolly need a new compressor.
But along with that replacement,other things have to be done to make it right & cover the compressor under a warranty.You are gonna need a new accumulator/drier, & oriffice tube. Then importantly the system will need to get flushed. When the compressor took a $hit it likely sent metal debris into the system.
So the evaporator & mostly the condenser need to be flushed. It sucks but there is a right way...
You can go get a junk yard one, but if it injests old compressor fragments
your back where ya started. Re: AC problem (think its compressor) Like Al said, R134 is very "sensative" It's not like R12, you can only add just enough, to much and it won't cool.
More than likely, some how you have lost vacuum on the system. Need to have it vac'd down and replace the freon.
More than likely, some how you have lost vacuum on the system. Need to have it vac'd down and replace the freon.
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,556
Likes: 0
From: Nawf Carolina
Re: AC problem (think its compressor) Ok, John, so you're talking like 50 bucks or 100 or what? Ballpark of course.
Replacing the accumulator/evap/compressor, etc and then flushing the whole deal and refilling, that sounds more like 300-600, right?
J.
Replacing the accumulator/evap/compressor, etc and then flushing the whole deal and refilling, that sounds more like 300-600, right?
J.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Re: AC problem (think its compressor)
Ok, John, so you're talking like 50 bucks or 100 or what? Ballpark of course.
Replacing the accumulator/evap/compressor, etc and then flushing the whole deal and refilling, that sounds more like 300-600, right?
J.
Replacing the accumulator/evap/compressor, etc and then flushing the whole deal and refilling, that sounds more like 300-600, right?
J.
Joe
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'
Brett Foote
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?
Pouria Savadkouei
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Orlando
Re: AC problem (think its compressor) just had the same thing happen to mine, comresssor spins ie clutch engages but wouldnt take a charge. i replaced it airdryer/acc and orifice tube after flushing draw vacuum and everything. get the pressures right on it and it didnt feel real col but was ok. 3 weeks later the new compressor siezes car stalls turn it on and it is making all kind of crazy noises so i take off the ac belt and all is good. at least they are replacing the compressor and airdryer under warranty. hopefully the new one works better...
Re: AC problem (think its compressor) 300-600 is alot on the low side.., These parts are expensive!! I recommend going with a delco but there 300-400 alone 
GM has been having various issues with A/C compressors all across the board as of late. Do you have an extended warranty that'll help??
These parts are expensive!! I recommend going with a delco but there 300-400 alone GM has been having various issues with A/C compressors all across the board as of late. Do you have an extended warranty that'll help?? 