Ac

[Bernie]

Not sure if this should be under engines or others, but I need some advice.



At 184k miles, my AC compressor seized up.

-I am considering tackling this job myself.

-I would have a shop vac the system

-I would do the compressor

-I would do the heat treater doors

-I would then have shop refill the system.



My questions are:

-Any advice on ordering a compressor? I have found several that are very inexpensive on eBay, but I am concerned about build quality.

-Any other AC components I should address while at it?

-Any tips?



Thanks!

 

[RDeFayette]

First and foremost if the compressor seized there is a 100% chance of shrapnel in the ac system.

The receiver/drier and the line filter must be replaced to make sure that this junk doesn't get back into the new components and kill it again.

Remove the compressor, receiver/dryer and orfice tube/line filter and thoroughly flush out all of the ac system.

Do NOT reuse the filter or dryer, you might think you can clean them out but I wouldn't ever try it.

Install the new parts and don't forget to also put new refrigerant oil in before taken it to the shop to have it evac. /recharged.

If you tell the it just needs to be evac and recharged odds are they will not put oil in unless you ask/tell them to.

Heater treater while you're at it is a good move.

 

[Grizzly]

Good advice from RDeFayette. When it come to replacing parts on your AC, you would be wise to take it to a reliable and honest AC shop. Never take it to the dealer. I've had bad experience with do-it-yourself AC work on my Furd F250. That was a long time ago because I've had a Dodge/Cummins since 1995 and have never had an AC problem with them. Knock on wood.



Good luck.

 

[RVTRKN]

I would do it myself, but then its free labor. The expertise of someone that does it all day long is worth the costs. I do AC for a living so it would be easier for me to do it myself, but for someone that has little experience and no tools I would advise against it.



There is a story that I tell friends, when they ask me to help them with their auto AC repairs. 15 years or so ago, my Boss who is very qualified to work on any AC system other than auto's, attempted a minor repair for a neighbor friend, and it turned into the altimate nightmare for him. He felt so bad, he had the neighbor just take it to a auto AC tech and paid for the repair, in which it was found to have a restiction in the metering orifice device due to debri caught in the filter screen before it. He attempted to put more refrigerant in thinking low charge and it took out the compressor. He never told me how much it cost him, but it was not cheap. Auto AC repairs should be performed by a qualified tech that works on them for a living. If my system fails, I would do it myself, but I would not have to worry if something fails, for it is my system not a friends system.



BTW, it is good advise that RDeFayette has given you and would heed his warning. My recommendation is to just bite the bullet and pay a "qualified" tech to do it, but then again it's not my money.