Greetings,

New here. I have a Jeep Liberty 2003 with a 3.7L V6. The AC compressor went out yesterday (First day of major heatwave too). The problem is evident. Severe leaking from the front compressor bearing. Ok, I can handle the repair work but the parts dealer (auto zone - don't really care much for them particularly - at least our local store) says I need to replace the AC accumulator and an orface tube as well. Don't know why I would need to change out anything else besides the AC comp since the system was working great until the front bearing/seal blew out.

Thanks

Ron

They are 100% correct. The accumulator is a desiccant bag that needs to be changed whenever the system is opened to the atmosphere.
The orifice tube is a screen that gets clogged very easily and should always be changed along with any internal A/C repair, especially a compressor failure. I would definitely advise you to stay away from re manufactured compressors as their reliability is next to zero. There are many new replacements available out there.




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida

Well, I cheated. changed the compressor only. It has been a long time... I actually had one term of auto repair in college covering Auto trans and AC/Heating and Cooling systems... Long dam time ago! '77 ? and no computers!

Bought a Gauge set and scrounged out an old vac pump from my Dear Departed Dad's old Scavenged stuff.

Put in the new compressor and vac'ed out the system. (I'm a fix-it kind of guy not a parts replacer) Pulled down to 20 some inches and held there. Solid, no leaks.

Oiled it and charged it. Pressures are good and the wind is cold!

I was actually going to go the new parts route but three different auto parts stores had three different versions of the orifice tube and none of them looked anything like my jeep's system. So out of frustration I "old schooled" it.

On a side note, our local Auto Zone has a couple of guys there who actually seem to be pretty "On the ball".

But hey the help helped to jog the brain cells enough to get me started on the job. Thanks.

It's always a gamble doing it that way, but at least your gambling with your $$$$$$, hope it works out for ya.... you have a 50/50 chance. I would of at least flushed the condensor & changed the orfice & accumulator..... I'm surprised you got a warranty on the compressor without buying and accumulator........

That's the part he hasn't realized yet. He just forfeited his warranty by not doing the job correctly. He's not a "parts" kind of guy but I bet he has to buy the compressor more than once. I guess that does make him a "parts" guy. "Old schooled" it? My schooling was some of the oldest (like me) and I don't recall anyone ever telling me that doing half the job would be beneficial in any way. 20" of vacuum?? Did nobody explain what the vacuum is for?
Maybe the professor working at AutoZone giving all the advice will pay for the failed parts for him.




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida




(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jul 31, 2009, 12:05 AM)

Guess I upset the balance of power on the internet with this but what the heck I up for a little entertainment so how about this?

How does a service tech troubleshoot an AC system?

Very thoroughly............




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida

In Reply To

So how much is involved in "Very thoroughly"? Do you check a system with test gauges? If you get pressures in spec and the system temp is blowing cold air what more do you check?


(This post was edited by photofinishron on Aug 1, 2009, 8:29 PM)

If the pressures are good and the air temp is cold, what problem are you looking for?




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida

Exactly! And that's where mine is running after the compressor change out.

Well, that's just wonderful...........

Now we'll see how long it stays that way and what it costs to repair it next time.




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida