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Is an ac compressor supposed to spin freely with ac off?
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oldpops
Novice
Sep 10, 2019, 4:00 PM
Post #1 of 5
(2010 views)
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Is an ac compressor supposed to spin freely with ac off?
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Hi All, we have a 2004 Ford Freestar (3.9L with rear ac controls) and the ac went out over a year ago. The tech at the ac place we just took it to at first said there wasn't anything wrong with the compressor, and then said there was. With the engine off, the tech said the compressor spins freely and there is no resistance when he spun the pulley. I know that if an ac compressor won't spin at all that it is locked up, and that is bad, but I thought the ac compressor was supposed to spin when not on/under load. He told us that the best case scenario is 700 bucks for a new compressor/1400 to 1700 if he has to basically replace everything. We are seniors on a fixed income and don't have that kind of money. Does this sound right?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 10, 2019, 4:33 PM
Post #2 of 5
(2000 views)
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Re: Is an ac compressor supposed to spin freely with ac off?
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Most compressors for ages have had a clutch that electrically engages them to "compress" gas inside. When not engaged they spin like just a plain pulley.
If YOU are looking note the center of yours. If that spins compressor is "compressing" and if not it's just really holding the belt in place as a pulley.
So if you were told and or shown that it turned freely I still don't know what the tech was doing. Was belt off and or did you witness this?
A compressor wouldn't stay "engaged" all the time nor year round in all conditions - just take my word for it.
If you want this to work again the estimate is already vague. If it did turn by hand doesn't mean it will work or much at all yet. Whole job if it did go bad is just a wild guess right now.
That guess was incomplete IMO. Try this. Go to another shop don't mention the first and ask for it to be checked out. Also ask just how much to take a good look for you not to job yet just another opinion. Look for a shop (again) that boasts A/C is their thing and now "Certified" at it.
Sorry for the book on this so far not enough to go on from your report and what you were told is worth anything yet.
Good luck and go get another opinion,
T
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oldpops
Novice
Sep 10, 2019, 4:42 PM
Post #3 of 5
(1997 views)
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Re: Is an ac compressor supposed to spin freely with ac off?
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Thanks all, and sorry for not giving more info. The ac compressor was in the car, all belts on. We had just pulled in to the place. I could not see what the guy was doing from where I was standing. The ac tech said the compressor has a shaft inside and the way it was spinning, without any compression, caused him to believe the compressor was bad. Because the compressor was 'bad', he said he didn't know if any metal pieces had gone through the system. Because of the Freestar van's engine compartment layout, he said he couldn't easily get to the orifice to check so he didn't know if it would be just a compressor replacement or an entire system replaced. Hope this helps.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 10, 2019, 5:10 PM
Post #4 of 5
(1989 views)
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Re: Is an ac compressor supposed to spin freely with ac off?
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I deleted your duplicate post.
We need some more background on this. What brought you into the shop?
Did he evacuate and recharge the system?
Did he put gauges on it and run the system?
What were the gauge readings?
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Sep 10, 2019, 5:11 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 10, 2019, 6:48 PM
Post #5 of 5
(1980 views)
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Re: Is an ac compressor supposed to spin freely with ac off?
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Quote back one "> The ac tech said the compressor has a shaft inside and the way it was spinning, without any compression, caused him to believe the compressor was bad. Because the compressor was 'bad', he said he didn't know if any metal pieces had gone through the system.<"
OK: Getting there, always more info to zoom in much better. He noted no ''compression'' by compressor. That suggests he had gauge on it would be more telling what they read as Hammer just asked.
So far OK you wouldn't know just yet if metal shards were in system caught by the "O" tube is a nick-name.
Where I'm stuck with just right now the info still isn't clear. A compressor if not compressing but engaged really shouldn't last very long without burning up and seizing or be shutting down so IDK what or why it was still engaged/compressing is the same thing.
Point now is are you really interested in fixing this and looking to know how much it's going to take or was this just while there for something else? It's just not that easy to price out.
Most shops would never do just a compressor but not my biz at some point if work is done that shop is taking some risk of it failing such that same items and maybe more need doing. YOU need to just do biz and understand their part taking risk and who pays for what if you are back in hours or a couple days?
Just end up clear about that so nobody is all upset by misunderstanding.
Carry on it's probably better to understand more here then know what to ask if/when you go back,
Tom
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