2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Ac Quit :(

[SMacLeod]

I'm being told my compressor died, should I be able to go to a parts store and order one? or do I have to go on geno's? for this item? if so how much does one usually run? is it hard to replace? Sorry if this has been asked before but can not find it.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

About 370-400 bucksHere



You will need to have the system evacuated , replace the compressor , add 4oz of ester oil and while you are doing that you will NEED to replace the accumulator if in fact the compressor burned out. Basicly any time the system is opened you should do that ... its what 67. 00 if I remember right. Then drawn to a vacuum for 1/2 hour and recharged with 2lbs of 134a.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

That is of course if in fact the "Compressor died". It could be from a leak SOMEWHERE ELSE that is not allowing the system to start due to a low charge condition. In turn this will not allow the low limit switch to engage to tell the compressor that it is o. k to start.





Moving this thread over to the tech forums

 

[SMacLeod]

About 370-400 bucksHere



You will need to have the system evacuated , replace the compressor , add 4oz of ester oil and while you are doing that you will NEED to replace the accumulator if in fact the compressor burned out. Basicly any time the system is opened you should do that ... its what 67. 00 if I remember right. Then drawn to a vacuum for 1/2 hour and recharged with 2lbs of 134a.

it's strange if I add recharge to the compressor it will hold some freon, for about 2 weeks then it goes away so I'm going to assume I have a leak but the compressor should be changed anyway right?



Sharron

 

[BTowler]

You may have a bad manifold line, just had to replace mine to the tune of around $650. 00 with labor and coolant. I was told it was a part Dodge has had problems with, and mine was doing exactly what they were being replaced for under warranty, but since I have no warranty I was on my own. Shortly after that I had to replace the compressor also, another $700 with parts and labor!!!!

 

[SMacLeod]

You may have a bad manifold line, just had to replace mine to the tune of around $650. 00 with labor and coolant. I was told it was a part Dodge has had problems with, and mine was doing exactly what they were being replaced for under warranty, but since I have no warranty I was on my own. Shortly after that I had to replace the compressor also, another $700 with parts and labor!!!!

oh No!! lol just what I did not want to hear, how would I know if it is a bad manifold line? I have no warranty either I guess I'll be w/o ac in florida for awhile lol.

 

[BTowler]

You'll have to take it somewhere and get it checked out, unfortunately. The upside, weather should be a little more tolerable real soon, you can put off the repairs till spring.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Also keep in mind that the A#1 cause of failure in theese trucks is the evaporator core. Dodge did not feel it was not needed to have any screen nor filter in place that would keep debris out of the cores.



Mine rotted out and just had replaced it recently. Believe me when I tell you that you are viloating your truck to the max. The dash needs to come as far away from the firewall as needed to get the massive hvac box out that houses both the heater core and evaporator. It starts at the center dash vents and reaches over to the passenger side and is as thick as the dash so that gives you an idea as to how far apart the rig comes when this job is being done.



Anyways My core was rotted out from decomposing leaves , ust and just plain ol' crap. When you use your a/c it creates condensation (The very reason for A/C is to remove humidity) Kin of like a sweating cold glass of iced tea if you will. That moisture sits in the leaves , dirt and so on and begins the rot as it never dries out.



If in fact it is an evap (Which I am banking on) plan on replacing the heater core , evap and accumulator as the truck is coming apart in a big way and you do NOT want to deal with that again.



BTowler, I am willing to bet that YOUR issue was lack of proper proceedure. I have not heard of lines being a pestering issue on theese trucks. The majority is the evaporator and condensor being they take alot of punishing stones , sand and bugs righ out in front of the truck behind an unprotective grille. (A nother reason to put some screen up behind the grilles there people!



If done incorrectly your compressor may have failed in direct result of poor workmanship. Again folks any time an A/C is opened for service you NEED to replace the accumulator. Any debris from acids , solids , uncompressibles wind up in this unit. When a system is opened you are introducing moisture right off the bat . . its nature atmospheric pressure does that . The second most important is evacuation. When you draw a system into a vacuum after it has been serviced, it draws out any moisture that may be left in the oil , the system itself , and of course air. A deep vacuum (29. 96 inches to be exact) for one half hour will remove most contaminents from any system.



A compressor will burn out on only a few reasons.

Lack of oil

Blocked orfice

Failed low side switch

overcharge (#1 mistake)

Nitrogen left in the system after leak check

Large ammounts of air introduced into the system

 

[BTowler]

Tim,

You are partially correct, the compressor was getting weak, it was almost seven years old. But the culprit that did it in was the debris that was dislodged when the first repairs were done that lodged itself in the condensor coils. Apparently it was not properly flushed out, so the new compressor was shutting off due to overpressure. They gave me a big break on the coil, only charged $100. 00 for the part, no labor, and the coil was next day aired from Ohio, bet that was a pretty UPS bill. I think it should have been done for free, but I needed my truck.



As far as the manifold line, it was cracked, and the new one had a nice pretty heat sleeve that was not on the original. I don't see why they would fabricate a story about it being a problem part but who knows, shortly after this the general manager of the shop was fired, maybe he was the problem.