|
|
Which a/c parts to replace after compressor seized
|
|
|
| |
|
|
billygoat
New User
Apr 25, 2012, 6:40 PM
Post #1 of 4
(12571 views)
|
|
Which a/c parts to replace after compressor seized
|
Sign In
|
|
2005
Toyota
Tacoma
4.0L V6
123,xxx miles
So when I pulled my seized a/c compressor to install another one I had sourced, I found that the old one had not just seized but completely grenaded...there was probably a teaspoon of metal bits in the suction hose. I already installed the new compressor, a new condenser/dryer/accumulator (don't worry, it's still sealed--I'm not hooking up the lines until it's ready for a recharge), cleaned out the lines, and have a new expansion valve and evaporator to go in--but given how much labor is involved in replacing the expansion valve and evaporator, I am thinking more critically about the failure of the compressor. It seems that most shops replace the entire system except for the lines when this type of failure occurs, but some do not. When cleaning the lines, I noticed the metal bits were only in the suction hose and that the pressure line was clean. Most of the metal bits were right by the compressor, and there were a few really fine particles up high just above where the suction hose disconnects at the firewall that I managed to clean out. If the metal bits only traveled backwards in the system right after the initial failure, would they still have likely passed into the expansion valve and evaporator? Or is there enough of a chance of contamination to warrant putting in the 10+ hours to install the new expansion valve and evaporator? Thanks in advance for the help.
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 26, 2012, 7:39 PM
Post #2 of 4
(12500 views)
|
|
Re: Which a/c parts to replace after compressor seized
|
Sign In
|
|
You may need to flush it out and some condensers won't flush so would have to go. All depends on how much junk you've found already,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
billygoat
New User
Apr 29, 2012, 12:40 AM
Post #3 of 4
(12475 views)
|
|
Re: Which a/c parts to replace after compressor seized
|
Sign In
|
|
I managed to pull out the expansion valve through the firewall, and sure enough it was full of debris and so is the evaporator core. Looks like the entire system is getting replaced...
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 29, 2012, 8:15 AM
Post #4 of 4
(12469 views)
|
|
Re: Which a/c parts to replace after compressor seized
|
Sign In
|
|
Evap should flush out fine as will hoses. Any driers need to just get tossed and condenser is iffy but I'm told if laid flat out of vehicle some people have had luck. They are a strange maze not just tube and fin like real old ones but price out a new one as some aren't so expensive.
A/C stuff isn't cheap as you are finding out. Just know that the teaspoon of debris you mentioned is enough to kill a system that may continue to try to work and starve compressor of critical oil and you'll do it all over again! It's a scary monster to do it once and if wrong you just wasted all the time and $$.
Pro flushing may be totally worth the bucks to send out.
Note: Most seized compressors had warning sounds before it did that so if any are making odd noises DISABLE THEM AT ONCE! Saves that mess and need for the extra work.
As much as it hurts I also suggest only brand new compressors as remanufactured has too many failures and they'll give you another compressor but not all the other stuff.
Note II: Charge into well held vacuum commensurate with your altitude. 29.92 Hg at sea level and you can adjust that # one Hg per 1,000 ft of elevation if a factor at all. Know your altitude. I'm at 232ft exactly.
Nice locked info up top in here on charging a system. Be fast and exact weight of charge. Oil is carried by the refrigerant and it's starving till it's blowing cool and then ok to take time to finish to exact charge.
Takes a lot of know how and equipment can be rented for free at some parts outlets - 100% deposit for safe return.
When in doubt, find out or you are just going to go broke but will learn if it fails,
T
|
|
| |
|
| | |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
Grounding Cable, 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk
equipment
Howdy
