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Topic: aircon compressor failure (Read 422 times) |
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DB
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I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Posts: 17
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aircon compressor failure
« on: Jul 20th, 2005, 5:06pm » |
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Not too long a query I hope.
Drive belt stops intermittently when aircon switched on. assume compressor is seizing. Have read the info on replecement on this site. New is expensive at c£500.
Is it worth buying secondhand for c£100 given the wasted cost of gassing if the compressor fails again shortly after fitting?
Also, the site refers to the gassing and the addition of oil as the pump lubricant. How is the oil added? Is it inroduced with the gas or is there a separate reservoir? If the oil can be topped up I am tempted to try that firstly and then, if no improvement look at new replecement and gassing etc.
The dehydration, gassing, oil top-up process sounds very specialised with recommendations to replace other parts in addition to the compressor.
The other alternative is to disconnect the compressor electrically and run the car with no a/c (Ultima 2300, 1997 with 100k so it will not run for ever). This would be sad given that all else is working.
Grateful for any thoughts
Thanks
Davidb
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DB
Newbie
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Posts: 17
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Re: aircon compressor failure
« Reply #1 on: Jul 20th, 2005, 5:24pm » |
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I have now read the aircon parts of the site more carefully. The oil is added during the gassing drawn in by the vacuum so it sounds like a job for specialists. I guess the only outstanding query is do I try to regas the existing compressor, buy secondhand or new. Three alternatives. If there is a local company with expertise I may ask their advice.
Any comments still welcome
What a good site for info.
Thanks,
Davidb
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Boblavens
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Re: aircon compressor failure
« Reply #2 on: Jul 20th, 2005, 5:35pm » |
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If it's seized, then I think this could be a re-run of "The Dead Parrot Sketch".
If it's dead then its DEAD!!!!!
I think it would not be economical to try and "unseize" it.
The Compressor and not the Parrot by the way
Bob
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Daven
Senior Member
I'm a cheeky Boy! (Simmos fan club)
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Re: aircon compressor failure
« Reply #3 on: Jul 20th, 2005, 6:48pm » |
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Could also be a symptom of a faulty expansion valve - it may allow the system to over pressurise which stops the compressor!
I know because it happened on mine a couple of months back! 
At least the bill wasn't as much as I expected - they just replaced the valve and the receiver/dryer! and re-gassed it 
Best to get it to a specialist!
Good luck
Dave
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Octavian_P
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Posts: 1126
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Re: aircon compressor failure
« Reply #4 on: Jul 20th, 2005, 7:54pm » |
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I've got a so called "stupid" ideea, if you move the compressor by hand does it spin ...or is it just stuked there. When it worked last time did you have cold air in ? Did a powerfull vibration ocured when it siezed up ?
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martin_rowe
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Re: aircon compressor failure
« Reply #5 on: Jul 21st, 2005, 8:49am » |
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as mentioned, easy to know if the compressor has siezed, with the engine off try & turn the front part of the pulley, if it is siezed, stiff or rough to turn its a fair bet its the compressor, if it turns smoothly, even with some resistance it could be, signs of a blocked expansion valve, very often blocked by dessicant from the reciever dryer. if its the compressor then any debris will have gone round the system, system should be flushed, if you fit s/h compressor, empty out all oil from inside, be carefull its nasty stuff, then it can either be re filled befor fitting or pryor to re gas ( this is better as the oil is hydroscopic and will absorb moisture from the air). these operations are best carried out by experianced people with the right equipment / experiance to do the works, the system will need depressurising befor anything can be done anyway.
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DB
Newbie
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Posts: 17
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Re: aircon compressor failure
« Reply #6 on: Jul 27th, 2005, 8:55pm » |
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Thanks to all for the responses.
I will detension the belt and rotate the compressor to see if it is seized or it feels as if the bearings are very worn.
If it appears OK I will get a specialist to check it and regas etc.
If it is seized I will think again about secondhand or no a/c.
It happened after 4 hours driving on a hot day with the a/c on full blast for most of the time. A/c has not been regassed in 100k miles and probably was compressing continuously to get the internal temp down.
It is really helpful to be able to chew these things over
Davidb
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