2004 corolla 123,000 miles Mostly highway.

AC started blowing hot air yesterday. my mechanic says the clutch is slipping and needs to be replaced. He says that the compressor and dryer should be replaced at the same time. My questions are:

1. Is this common on a corolla? and what makes the clutch go like that?
2. Do all three items need to replaced at the same time? I plan on keeping the car.

3. Cost is $1200. He using toyota parts becuase he says he has had problems with aftermarket parts. Is this a reasonable price?

It's usually not the clutch that cause them to slip. Most of the time it's because either the compressor is seizing up or it's pushing too much pressure which will lead to a seizure anyway. He is correct in his recommended repairs but when it's back together, you will still need to look at the operating pressures for the problem that caused the failure in the first place.




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

Thanks for the help. Two more questions

1. He recommeded ice 32 to be added at the time of installation. Is this a good product?

2. If there is going to be a new compressor won't the pressure problem now go away? Sorry for my ignorance but I don't know much about A/C systems.

Why would you even consider that stuff. You have a 2004 car that uses R134A. That other garbage is supposed to substitute for R12, not 134A and even for that it's crap. Don't use anything but virgin (not recycled) R134A in that car.

No, putting a new compressor does not correct the problem that ruined the old compressor. Something likely caused it to fail and if it's not corrected, it will ruin the new one.
That means like a fan isn't working or the condenser is plugged or anything else that will make the pressure go too high. It could have been just overcharged but he at least needs to make sure the pressures are right when he's done.




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




(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Aug 31, 2009, 9:19 AM)

I'll fix the header! 2204! Rip Van Winkle? Did I fall asleep that long?

Keep it 134a and don't listen to the crap out there! Hammer already said this and I totally agree with using just virgin 134a as the recycled crap is just that.

Wiz ding - $10 bucks worth of new product!

Already said by Hammer - why did the first compressor fail? Usually lack of oil from a low charge as it won't get lubed when too low as the oil moves with refrigerant.

That's just the beginning - the trash spewed thru system makes it more trouble and some items can't be cleaned out,

T
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston