I'm seeing plenty of things that could be wrong with my A/C except tehc omrpessor. I had to add some coolant in ohio, and when I got here after the drive, the A/C was dead. I was assuming that the shaft seal on the compressor failed, and that was the problem. Now I'm not so sure. On The low pressure side of the A/C system, there is zero pressure on the gauge. The compressor does not turn on when it should. I was planning on replacing the compressor, the accumulator and the o-rings this summer/spring. Anyone have any other suggestions?
How can I be sure
- Thread starter Nick R
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AC repair can be very costly. If you can charge up the system get some dye in there and see if there are any leaks. Or if you have access to a sniffer use that, or a combo of the two. Repair all leaks first, that will help in diagnosing the problem. A low charge will cause the compressor not to function properly, so a charge is helpful in diagnosis.
A few years back I had turned my van over to a local guy that repairs only AC and cooling systems and was a so called expert. It cost me a fortune, to replace parts he was guessing at. After a compressor, evaporator and all the O ring seals, I got Pizt because it still wouldn't hold a charge. I charged up the system added a little dye and found a leak on the underside of the high side AC line the size of a tiny pin hole. Problem solved. I should have tackled it myself from the beginning but I felt my AC repair skills weren't as good as his.
Naturally when I confronted him he swore I needed all the parts he replaced. Needless to say I won't be going there anymore.
A few years back I had turned my van over to a local guy that repairs only AC and cooling systems and was a so called expert. It cost me a fortune, to replace parts he was guessing at. After a compressor, evaporator and all the O ring seals, I got Pizt because it still wouldn't hold a charge. I charged up the system added a little dye and found a leak on the underside of the high side AC line the size of a tiny pin hole. Problem solved. I should have tackled it myself from the beginning but I felt my AC repair skills weren't as good as his.
Naturally when I confronted him he swore I needed all the parts he replaced. Needless to say I won't be going there anymore.
+1 get some dye in it to determine where the leak is. Could be a simple as n o-ring in one of the fittings and a $100 fix instead of a $1,000+ compressor.
You need a minimum pressure for the AC to turn on.
Something like 30 -40 pressure .
So not turning on is expected with low/no sauce in there.
There may be a leak in a component, like a line, condenser, or evaporator.
Check that now while things are together.
Then, with your new seals and compressor, you should be in great shape.
Also, get a new orifice valve - it is in the line between the condenser and the evaporator.
FLush all the components with the proper fluid.
Add your oil. Some in the compressor, some in the accumulator, and some in the condenser. Strive to get in the factory recommended amount. The compressor may have some in it when you get a new one.
Then do a good long evacuate for an hour, and refill.
Something like 30 -40 pressure .
So not turning on is expected with low/no sauce in there.
There may be a leak in a component, like a line, condenser, or evaporator.
Check that now while things are together.
Then, with your new seals and compressor, you should be in great shape.
Also, get a new orifice valve - it is in the line between the condenser and the evaporator.
FLush all the components with the proper fluid.
Add your oil. Some in the compressor, some in the accumulator, and some in the condenser. Strive to get in the factory recommended amount. The compressor may have some in it when you get a new one.
Then do a good long evacuate for an hour, and refill.
I still have a can of R-134a unopened from the summer... Should I put that in there and see what happens with it or what. I'm probably going to take it to a dealer to get it evacuated and recharged.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Like mt2 says, I would suspect a condenser or evaporator core leak before a shaft seal on the compressor. Condensers are most vulnerable to flying debris damage and probably your #1 cause of leaks. I've also owned vehicles that leaked thru the evap core. Tell-tale was oily residue in the condensate drain tube. For me, a/c issues either go to the shop, or it stays broke.
Joel
Joel
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Most likely you have a leak before a seal is gone.
In both of my high mileage cars, one has a condenser leak due to accident related rubbing and the other has a high pressure pipe burst (how did that even happen? failing that part is so rare it cost $200). In both case the only way to find it is a dyed R134a check by my mechanic.
Even if you are doing this work yourself, you still need their help to diagnose and vacuum/charge the system. In my case the diag is about $65 and the charging is $100. The mechanic quote for whole job for replacing the condenser it is $500.
In both of my high mileage cars, one has a condenser leak due to accident related rubbing and the other has a high pressure pipe burst (how did that even happen? failing that part is so rare it cost $200). In both case the only way to find it is a dyed R134a check by my mechanic.
Even if you are doing this work yourself, you still need their help to diagnose and vacuum/charge the system. In my case the diag is about $65 and the charging is $100. The mechanic quote for whole job for replacing the condenser it is $500.
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Yeah, put some dye in there. My shaft seal got so bad on my Cavalier that it would drain out about as fast as I put it in, so I didnt really have any trouble locating it by ear.
Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
Yeah, put some dye in there. My shaft seal got so bad on my Cavalier that it would drain out about as fast as I put it in, so I didnt really have any trouble locating it by ear.
Sounds like me. My grandfather has had to add a can every spring for a couple years, and it just stopped working. So I'll get it diagnosed I guess, andthen see what goes from there. From what I've heard, the shaft seal on the cavalier AC compressor is the most common failure.
Yeah, put some dye in there. My shaft seal got so bad on my Cavalier that it would drain out about as fast as I put it in, so I didnt really have any trouble locating it by ear.
Sounds like me. My grandfather has had to add a can every spring for a couple years, and it just stopped working. So I'll get it diagnosed I guess, andthen see what goes from there. From what I've heard, the shaft seal on the cavalier AC compressor is the most common failure.
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