Air Conditioning compressor and R134 Conv.

[jeff in co]

Well, found a guy that will sell me his whole system for $20 and his factory compressor actually spins as appose to mine being locked up. If nothing else, I can get rid of the squeeking first thing in the morning.

So, long shot but worth $20......Is it possible between the two systems that I could put together a working A/C system (provided his compressor works)? Could I take all the parts off and clean them individually and then put everything back together. Then bring to a shop for pressure test?

I pushed on the two shrader valves and nothing came out of his system. Can I assume there is no longer any freon in there and I can just unbolt the pieces? What if there is a trace left in the system...OK to vent?

 

[rjfguitar]

Do I really need to stick with AC Delco stuff to keep it lasting longer or would reman equipment be OK? It looks like I can get the bulk of the stuff for about $400 at Schucks. Most are "Murray" brand name.

That would be the following items:
Murray Discharge/Suction Line - $56
Murray Dryer/Accumulator - $34
Murray Reman Compressor w/clutch - $140
Murray Orifice tube - $21
Delphi Condenser - $140

If I put all this stuff onto the truck and then brought it in for a leak test and freon fill, could I hit $100 for this extra work for a pro or would it be more?

Just thinking outloud and trying to save some cash. AC is definitely expensive to fix.

Buy a brand new compressor, yes... the one that costs $300+ dollars. DO NOT buy the $100 rebuilt unit. It will make it one summer, if you're lucky, and you will be back to square one.

Replace your condensor. It has shavings in it, replace it.

Flush the evaporator repeatedly, and if yours is old, I'd just replace it too!

The dryer receiver and orifice are a given..... and you might want to pay close attention to your old lines. If they are in remotely rough shape...... replace them.

I always budget about $1000 to rebuild an A/C. The reason is because you can't short cut when it comes to making an A/C system that works good and actually lasts more than 10,000 miles. If you want your A/C to work like it did when it left the factory, and last for 50-100K miles, then spend some money and do it right.

 

[4xcrazy]

Stay away from the $20 used old equipment.

 

[GsxrMike]

Well, found a guy that will sell me his whole system for $20 and his factory compressor actually spins as appose to mine being locked up. If nothing else, I can get rid of the squeeking first thing in the morning.

So, long shot but worth $20......Is it possible between the two systems that I could put together a working A/C system (provided his compressor works)? Could I take all the parts off and clean them individually and then put everything back together. Then bring to a shop for pressure test?

I pushed on the two shrader valves and nothing came out of his system. Can I assume there is no longer any freon in there and I can just unbolt the pieces? What if there is a trace left in the system...OK to vent?

Forget about spending $1000+ on buying all new stuff. For $20 it's almost like getting everything for free. At worst it is a lottery ticket, if you install it and it doesn't work you are out of very little money and a bit of time.

If you pushed a shrader valve and nothing came out then don't worry about venting anything because there is very little if anything in the system, but you need to find out which part leaked before you install it on your truck.

I say go the $20 route and if it doesn't work out then bummer. But I would feel like an idiot if I had the opertunity to save about $1000 and didn't try.

If you can take his truck to a mechanic and spend $100 to have them test the system (see if everything works/locate the leak, etc.) then I would do that so you know if it will work and can find the leak before you take it all apart.

 

[jeff in co]

Forget about spending $1000+ on buying all new stuff. For $20 it's almost like getting everything for free. At worst it is a lottery ticket, if you install it and it doesn't work you are out of very little money and a bit of time.

If you pushed a shrader valve and nothing came out then don't worry about venting anything because there is very little if anything in the system, but you need to find out which part leaked before you install it on your truck.

I say go the $20 route and if it doesn't work out then bummer. But I would feel like an idiot if I had the opertunity to save about $1000 and didn't try.

If you can take his truck to a mechanic and spend $100 to have them test the system (see if everything works/locate the leak, etc.) then I would do that so you know if it will work and can find the leak before you take it all apart.

Well, he actually clipped the hoses so those weren't salvagable anymore. I offered him $10 for the compressor and he said yes. His is a factory one and mine is a rebuild one, however my clutch is locked up and makes a pretty loud squeeking sound when I start it up cold. The new, $10 compressor spins freely and the clutch also seems to move better. Sure, it would be amazing if this fixed my A/C but my hopes are not really too high.

What I am more after is finding a better "pulley unit" to eliminate the squeeking part. If it actually works....bonus!! For now, it will look stock and quiet. Then I can wait until spring to put on a new system. No sense in really doing it now going into winter.

I might test it for the fun of it but I'm assuming I'll just have to replace everything in the spring.

Hey, a new "compressor eliminator pulley" from Autozone is $40 and I got one for $10. In any case, should be ahead of the game.

thanks all for the help.