How Many Miles Has Your AC Worked???

[sdalton]

I have heard some news from a few friends. They seem to have had their AC units(compressors) go out on them at around 100k miles. They said they were told they dont last much longer before replacement is needed. The most recent cost was around $1000 for the replacement. Any opinions on this rumor?? Any preventative maintenance for the AC system???

Signed: Paranoid In A Humid City. (Houston TX)

AKA: Scott

 

[GWS]

My AC has never worked properly since day 1. Various dealers have thrown all kinds of parts at it including a new evaporator, but nothing has fixed it. The system is nice and cold WHEN it works which unfortunately is only intermittently. When it refuses to work, I can tell because you cannot hear the compressor cycling on and off and the rpms to not cycle up and down. Perhaps it's a faulty relay or compressor clutch switch, but since I'm no longer on warranty I think I'll just live with it.

 

[Dreher]

I'm at about 115,000 and it's still working great, most of that was in Texas and So. Cal. Don't use it too much up here in WA.



GWS-

I had that same thing happen to me. It was the relay. I've replaced three recently, and all were working only when they wanted to. An easy way to tell is switch A/C relay with horn relay.



Bob

 

[Doc Tinker]

Probably the best advice is to use your A/C often.



Allowing your A/C to remain unused for extended periods of time will cause seals to dry out and leak. Once your refrigerant leaks out, the system will be attacked by moisture and cause more problems.



Running your defroster, to defog windows, allows the A/C unit to cycle and will help keep it in shape.



If you live in high temperature areas, I would recommend not driving in extreme heat. Running the A/C in extremely high ambient tempuratures can cause excessive system pressure, which will reduce the effectiveness of the system and might cause damage to the compressor.



Doc

 

[John_P]

I have 123,000 miles on my truck with no A/C compressor

problems. I still cools real well in the N. C. summer heat at

idle or while driving.



--------

John_P

 

[Huntmastr1]

The 98. 5 (see sig) had 154,000 miles on it when traded with no a/c problems.

 

[Joe G.]

169K miles on mine. No problem.

 

[MikeJ]

355,000 miles in south Texas & La

has worked perfect since day 1 & usually have to keep it on low

 

[drawson]

I am at 102K right now and the A/C system has never been touched. In fact this year it is working better than ever with an electric fan in front of the condencer keeps it blowing cool even at long stop lights.

 

[jsimpson]

My independent AC guy down here in South Flkorida keeps a shelf full of Dodge Ram gen 2 evaporators. He sys they go bad with regularity. I had to replace the compressor on my 89 with either 55,000, 155,000 or 255,000 miles on it for nearly $1000. Shop could not substitute cheaper compressor; had to use Mopar part.

 

[DavidTD]

GWS, I just had what sounds like an identical problem to yours. My AC would work fine then start to cycle on/off more frequently until finally the compressor would not cycle at all. I replaced the compressor switch and relay with no avail. Took it to a local AC shop and he found the wires from the compressor into a harness and connector that run to the frame of the truck. Said one of the wires was not making a good connection allowing heat to build. He repaired the wire and I just got back from Muncie with no problems at all.



Hope this helps,

Originally posted by GWS

My AC has never worked properly since day 1. Various dealers have thrown all kinds of parts at it including a new evaporator, but nothing has fixed it. The system is nice and cold WHEN it works which unfortunately is only intermittently. When it refuses to work, I can tell because you cannot hear the compressor cycling on and off and the rpms to not cycle up and down. Perhaps it's a faulty relay or compressor clutch switch, but since I'm no longer on warranty I think I'll just live with it.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Nearly 110,000 miles on my '91 - just added 2 cans of freon, otherwise working perfectly...

 

[Missouri Mule]

A/C at 115,00 same stock system, no freon added(yet).

 

[GWS]

David TD and Dreher, thanks for your advice. I will follow up on these tips.

 

[MCummings]

I'm at 75K right now. A/C works good, it leaks a LITTLE but stays cold.



Here in South Tx. (Laredo) my A/C is on High ALL the time.



if you would like to check out temeratures in my town, my ZIP code is 78046.



MerrickNJr

 

[Dr.Evil]

I thought it was illegal to even have those little 12-14 OZ cans of R-12 in Your possession anymore, something like $1000 per day fine? You have to be a licensed A/C Tech to work on them anymore.

DENNY... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...