AP1 AC compressor
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: Tampa
AP1 AC compressor
Today my ac stopped blowing cold. The air coming out of the vents was hotter than the ambient outside temp. When I switch the ac button on the air compressor begins to make a grinding sound. Whats the best way to go about diagnosing the rattle and lack of cold air? Do I just go ahead and buy a whole new compressor or should I pull it out and check the compressor clutch and pulley? I live in Florida so it's already getting very warm and humid again. So i need to solve this pretty quick.
Thanks,
Ben
Thanks,
Ben
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,729
Likes: 631
Today my ac stopped blowing cold. The air coming out of the vents was hotter than the ambient outside temp. When I switch the ac button on the air compressor begins to make a grinding sound. Whats the best way to go about diagnosing the rattle and lack of cold air? Do I just go ahead and buy a whole new compressor or should I pull it out and check the compressor clutch and pulley? I live in Florida so it's already getting very warm and humid again. So i need to solve this pretty quick.
Thanks,
Ben
Thanks,
Ben
For the cost of a vacuum pump and a good manifold gauge you can pay a shop to evacuate the A/C. Then you can do the work yourself(its pretty straight forward), and have them charge the system. These cars use PAG 46 oil.
Most of the compressors that grenade themselves have been topped off more than once. The cars are old, the driers don't work as well as they used to. By topping off the system twice or more without adding oil also makes life harder for the compressor. It becomes a double whammy, the drier can't pull moisture so the moisture turns the refrigerant and any remaining oil acidic, which eats the compressor from the inside. And it doesn't have enough oil, so it grinds itself ded.
PM me if you have any questions like how to replace the expansion valve.
Do not buy an aftermarket or remanned compressor, OEM or bust. Used is ok, I have a used compressor I bought here off a kind user for $120, 4 years later still rocking.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: Tampa
Not only do you need a new compressor, you'll need a new low pressure line(its softer than the high pressure one and metal shards can easily cause a leak. When the compressor grinds itself to smithereens as yours did, you also need to clean the condenser as well. Use acetone and then air dry it. You'll also need a new drier and expansion valve. You can order these on ebay, or whatever, they're pretty standard parts. Also a 134r o ring kit.
For the cost of a vacuum pump and a good manifold gauge you can pay a shop to evacuate the A/C. Then you can do the work yourself(its pretty straight forward), and have them charge the system. These cars use PAG 46 oil.
Most of the compressors that grenade themselves have been topped off more than once. The cars are old, the driers don't work as well as they used to. By topping off the system twice or more without adding oil also makes life harder for the compressor. It becomes a double whammy, the drier can't pull moisture so the moisture turns the refrigerant and any remaining oil acidic, which eats the compressor from the inside. And it doesn't have enough oil, so it grinds itself ded.
PM me if you have any questions like how to replace the expansion valve.
Do not buy an aftermarket or remanned compressor, OEM or bust. Used is ok, I have a used compressor I bought here off a kind user for $120, 4 years later still rocking.
For the cost of a vacuum pump and a good manifold gauge you can pay a shop to evacuate the A/C. Then you can do the work yourself(its pretty straight forward), and have them charge the system. These cars use PAG 46 oil.
Most of the compressors that grenade themselves have been topped off more than once. The cars are old, the driers don't work as well as they used to. By topping off the system twice or more without adding oil also makes life harder for the compressor. It becomes a double whammy, the drier can't pull moisture so the moisture turns the refrigerant and any remaining oil acidic, which eats the compressor from the inside. And it doesn't have enough oil, so it grinds itself ded.
PM me if you have any questions like how to replace the expansion valve.
Do not buy an aftermarket or remanned compressor, OEM or bust. Used is ok, I have a used compressor I bought here off a kind user for $120, 4 years later still rocking.
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,729
Likes: 631
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,335
Likes: 109
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
