Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » A/C compressor..and laundry
| A/C compressor..and laundry [message #259186] |
Sun, 17 August 2014 21:43  |
thorndike
Messages: 406
Registered: January 2011
Location: Conifer, Colorado
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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In preparing for my trip I decided to attempt to charge the A/C system. As I have receipts that show the PO changed the system over to 134a I decided to go that route instead of waiting for Duracool to arrive in the mail.
So as the instructions say, I started the car and turned the A/C on to max. I couldn't hear or sense the compressor coming on, so either the system was empty and the switch was not activating the compressor, or the switch was bad. As I started filling the system I could see the pressure gauge on the 134a can going up, so I kept my fingers crossed. SUDDENLY the air was full of the sound of a herd of screaming banshees! This caused me to drop the can of 134a and nearly caused me to have to do my laundry.
I ran into the coach and shut the A/C off, and of course the noise disappeared. So I know the pressure switch is working, but it appears that my compressor is toast. Could it be just that the compressor was dry and new gas would fix it or do I just need to bite the bullet and get a new compressor?
If I get a new compressor, the system will obviously be compromised, so it will have to be evacuated again before it can be recharged again correct? If so, I don't have the equipment to do that so are there any suggestions as to who I should contact?
Bob
Robert Peesel
1976 Royale 26'
Side Dry Bath
Conifer, Colorado
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| Re: A/C compressor..and laundry [message #259217 is a reply to message #259186] |
Mon, 18 August 2014 07:29  |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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Bob,
If the pump is locked up that hard, then replacing it is the only option. The belt may also be an issue - now...
When PO changed to R-134a, he may not have added the new oil and the stuff that is essentially a detergent that keeps the residual oil from turning into goo.
¡¡Warning!! Cheap and sleezy trick follows - Do Not try this at home -
If the system was not open to air, put a hand on the front plate of the pumps clutch and try to rock it. It may come loose. If it does, put a wrench on the nut inside the clutch and spin it until it spins freely. This is just breaking the goo that formed of mixing 134 with the mineral oil.
If it does loosen up, find a can of 134 conversion oil, you may have to buy a 134 conversion kit. That should be enough to get things loosened up.
The above recommendations have about a 50% success rate, but are still less expensive and simpler than changing out the pump.
If you don't know if you will find a rebuilt locally, but if you don't, get Applied on the phone. JimK was going to stock a Sanden pump that was a bolt in. A-6 was a good pump, but it is WAY over size and has been out designed in 40 years.
I can't tell you who local to you has a vacuum pump, but if you have any gear head friends, someone you know probably does.
Matt
thorndike wrote on Sun, 17 August 2014 22:43In preparing for my trip I decided to attempt to charge the A/C system. As I have receipts that show the PO changed the system over to 134a I decided to go that route instead of waiting for Duracool to arrive in the mail.
So as the instructions say, I started the car and turned the A/C on to max. I couldn't hear or sense the compressor coming on, so either the system was empty and the switch was not activating the compressor, or the switch was bad. As I started filling the system I could see the pressure gauge on the 134a can going up, so I kept my fingers crossed. SUDDENLY the air was full of the sound of a herd of screaming banshees! This caused me to drop the can of 134a and nearly caused me to have to do my laundry.
I ran into the coach and shut the A/C off, and of course the noise disappeared. So I know the pressure switch is working, but it appears that my compressor is toast. Could it be just that the compressor was dry and new gas would fix it or do I just need to bite the bullet and get a new compressor?
If I get a new compressor, the system will obviously be compromised, so it will have to be evacuated again before it can be recharged again correct? If so, I don't have the equipment to do that so are there any suggestions as to who I should contact?
Bob
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: A/C compressor..and laundry [message #259218 is a reply to message #259186] |
Mon, 18 August 2014 07:34 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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Bob,
Big First Question: Did the system have any pressure in it when you first hooked on the gauge set?
If no, skip most of this and get the system flushed (Auto A/C places can do this for about 50$). Then, replace the compressor, the filter dryer.
If yes, jump down to =>Warning
If the pump is locked up that hard, then replacing it is the only option. The belt may also be an issue - now...
When PO changed to R-134a, he may not have added the new oil and the stuff that is essentially a detergent that keeps the residual oil from turning into goo.
¡¡Warning!! Cheap and sleezy trick follows - Do Not try this at home -
If the system was not open to air, put a hand on the front plate of the pumps clutch and try to rock it. It may come loose. If it does, put a wrench on the nut inside the clutch and spin it until it spins freely. This is just breaking the goo that formed of mixing 134 with the mineral oil.
If it does loosen up, find a can of 134 conversion oil, you may have to buy a 134 conversion kit. That should be enough to get things loosened up.
The above recommendations have about a 50% success rate, but are still less expensive and simpler than changing out the pump.
If you don't know if you will find a rebuilt locally, but if you don't, get Applied on the phone. JimK was going to stock a Sanden pump that was a bolt in. A-6 was a good pump, but it is WAY over size and has been out designed in 40 years.
I can't tell you who local to you has a vacuum pump, but if you have any gear head friends, someone you know probably does.
Matt
thorndike wrote on Sun, 17 August 2014 22:43In preparing for my trip I decided to attempt to charge the A/C system. As I have receipts that show the PO changed the system over to 134a I decided to go that route instead of waiting for Duracool to arrive in the mail.
So as the instructions say, I started the car and turned the A/C on to max. I couldn't hear or sense the compressor coming on, so either the system was empty and the switch was not activating the compressor, or the switch was bad. As I started filling the system I could see the pressure gauge on the 134a can going up, so I kept my fingers crossed. SUDDENLY the air was full of the sound of a herd of screaming banshees! This caused me to drop the can of 134a and nearly caused me to have to do my laundry.
I ran into the coach and shut the A/C off, and of course the noise disappeared. So I know the pressure switch is working, but it appears that my compressor is toast. Could it be just that the compressor was dry and new gas would fix it or do I just need to bite the bullet and get a new compressor?
If I get a new compressor, the system will obviously be compromised, so it will have to be evacuated again before it can be recharged again correct? If so, I don't have the equipment to do that so are there any suggestions as to who I should contact?
Bob
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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