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Straining & clicking AC Compressor
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slapshotz
Novice
May 17, 2008, 1:00 PM
Post #1 of 10
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Straining & clicking AC Compressor
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Car Stats: 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX 2.0L, 100k miles
My ac is having some problems although it's still blowing cool air. When I first turn the AC on, the elec clutch engages and the car starts screeching. I'm presuming the screeching is the belt that's straining to move the compressor. For the next 10-20 minutes, it loudly clicks on and off and the engine & car shudders a bit when the clutch engages. After about 20 minutes, the ac seems to work just fine. I checked the fan belts and they're tight. Any ideas on what might be wrong with my car? Thanks in advance for your advice.
(This post was edited by slapshotz on May 17, 2008, 1:08 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 17, 2008, 1:12 PM
Post #2 of 10
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Re: Straining & clicking AC Compressor
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Belt properly tensioned? If so this is trouble and compressor really is straining the engine. That's plain not good and suggests failing compressor perhaps due to an overcharge. Has it been touched that you know of?
If basic checks show belt it ok I'd disable the compressor now to prevent a total seize up which will complicate the repair or perhpaps break the belt at a minumum,
T
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slapshotz
Novice
May 17, 2008, 1:16 PM
Post #3 of 10
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Re: Straining & clicking AC Compressor
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Hi Tom. thanks for the reply. i was afraid i'd need to replace/repair the compressor. do you think i need to replace it or just oil it? i've heard both. also, can you suggest how much i should reasonably pay to have a compressor repaired or replaced? Just troubleshooting it is going to cost me 100-200 at the shops in my town. Thanks again
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 17, 2008, 1:38 PM
Post #4 of 10
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Re: Straining & clicking AC Compressor
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You really can't oil it now and stop this. This compressor is a bit pricey - best I just found is $450 wholesale for a rebuilt! That's enough.
If overcharged it could be choking on trying to compress liquid refrigerant and the cycling is likely the high side pressure cut out shutting down system - late if it's choking.
Low charge of refrigerant doesn't carry oil well and causes lack of lube at compressor or some can just up and wear out.
In that it can still make cool and quiet down you could be ahead of the black death which throws debris thru system then needing a total flush out.
The diag charge is a bit steep as so far it seems you do need a new compressor and with that goes the drier, vac and charge to spec if all else looks good.
Are you up for this yourself or going to send it out anyhow?
Continuing to use it is like driving on a flat tire that was just a leak that could be fixed and the tire gets ruined and then the rim if you keep going kind of thing!
So - do you have a good history on this car and are you considering the job yourself? History will help. DIY will require some careful learning and equipment - some rentable. If you said it was just a slight rattle instead of screeching the belt I might try adding some oil but it's late for that now,
T
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slapshotz
Novice
May 17, 2008, 1:57 PM
Post #5 of 10
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Re: Straining & clicking AC Compressor
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sounds like i'm going to have to take it in. this has been going on for months, but i've just been slow to get it fixed. it sounds like a big, complicated job that a shop could best handle.
thanks Tom. i appreciate your expertise and advice.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 17, 2008, 4:00 PM
Post #6 of 10
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Re: Straining & clicking AC Compressor
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Your welcome and good luck with the fix. It's always nice to be an informed customer and with A/C work a history is nice. Lot's come in that have been messed with and it's nice to know that. The equipment to do this stuff is expensive and being mostly a seasonal rush it not the best or dependable way for a shop to be in biz for this type work.
You can search prices of parts and have the idea of expense for these jobs. Like a lot of things it's better to catch them early an bite the bullet and get it done right.
Again, good luck with the fix,
T
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brbettge
User
May 18, 2008, 9:40 AM
Post #7 of 10
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Re: Straining & clicking AC Compressor
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just a quick note here. there is such a thing as an oil overcharge which will cause the same symptoms. some mechanics and wanna-be mechanics think that oil must be added in large quantities whenever a system is charged for any reason. too much oil can cause "oil slugging" which is simply the compressor trying to compress oil - an impossibility. today's vehicles require exact amounts of "freon" as well as oil to work properly.
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slapshotz
Novice
May 18, 2008, 2:15 PM
Post #8 of 10
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Re: Straining & clicking AC Compressor
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it's difficult finding a reputable mechanic. the first one i took my car to wanted 200 dollars to recharge the freon. i'm taking it in to another shop tomorrow morning. they specialize in auto ac so i'm hopeful they'll be familiar with the issues you've brought up in your replies to my question. thanks for the advice.
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comnavguy
User
Jun 11, 2008, 8:42 AM
Post #9 of 10
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Re: Straining & clicking AC Compressor
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If you haven't already taken your car in AND if you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, I know a guy who will diagnose your problem for nothing.
If you contact me by email, I'll give you the info.
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slapshotz
Novice
Jun 12, 2008, 7:23 AM
Post #10 of 10
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Re: Straining & clicking AC Compressor
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thanks anyway. i live in california and took it in to a local shop.
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