Air Conditioning System repair

[dgoodhue]

My AC compressor started making a horrible clattering noise about a month ago. I would like to repair it this winter and continue using R12 that it was designed for.

Can I repair my existing compressor to keep its originality, or should I just put my original aside, repair it another day and buy a replacement compressor? Are the replacement compressors similar looking to original? How about the dryer replacement?

Any tips. I would guess that I would replace the compressor, dryer, o-ring, add oil, vacuum the system and replace the R12.

 

[wildphil]

Re: Air Conditioning System repair

I put a Delco on my Syclone today. I didn't look at is super close. But it looked pretty much like the original.

 

[Couger1968]

Re: Air Conditioning System repair

Everything I bought looked and fit just like the original. The compressor was new and was not all black like the original. It has a black outside ring,but the center section is bare shiny metal. I replaced the compressor, drier and orifice tube. I also replaced all the O-rings with green ones, but I just did it for insurance. The only way a person could tell is by the high and low fittings which are different, but screw right over the originals. The pressure switch on mine was adjustable and I lowered it to 20. I used PAG 150 , but on just a retrofit they say to use Ester oil and not even change drier. I flushed the system whle it was apart.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CL5KXY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DCNEHQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01

 

[wildphil]

Re: Air Conditioning System repair

Delco compressor is even cheaper.

http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-15-20...427212&sr=1-2&keywords=gmc+syclone+compressor

 

[T-Bone]

Re: Air Conditioning System repair

I have a good OEM compressor if you wanna maintain originality. You cover shipping and once you verify it is good, you can send me $50 for it. Guessing shipping will be $20-25 so most you get sunk is $75.

Worked fine when removed last year.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Air Conditioning System repair

I had to replace the lines, compressor, drier and orifice tube on mine. Got all the parts at Orielly. Look stock. The lines are a little different but worked. Prices were very comparable to amazon. Plus if i had a problem i could just go back to get another.

If you have to replace the compressor it would be a good idea to replace the drier and Orifice tube. Cheap and easy. And could be a headache saver down the line.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Air Conditioning System repair

I have a good OEM compressor if you wanna maintain originality. You cover shipping and once you verify it is good, you can send me $50 for it. Guessing shipping will be $20-25 so most you get sunk is $75.

Worked fine when removed last year.

Thanks for the offer, but I am not going to trust 24 year old parts.

 

[JSM]

Re: Air Conditioning System repair

I won't run anything but an AC compressor anymore, learned my lesson on the autopart store brands more than once and more than twice, they all suck.

Ordered AC from amazon like link posted for my 95 Tahoe (same compressor), worked great, no noise. The biggest problem is if you put a bad one on, or a store china crap and it blows up you just put dirt and garbage in your system.

 

[randy merritt]

Re: Air Conditioning System repair

I won't run anything but an AC compressor anymore, learned my lesson on the autopart store brands more than once and more than twice, they all suck.

Ordered AC from amazon like link posted for my 95 Tahoe (same compressor), worked great, no noise. The biggest problem is if you put a bad one on, or a store china crap and it blows up you just put dirt and garbage in your system.

Is that supposed to be "AC Delco"?

 

[GMC-YA]

Re: Air Conditioning System repair

They have replacement AC lines now? Last time I looked no one carried them!! Sweet!

 

[V]

Re: Air Conditioning System repair

I haven't done a side-by-side comparison between the original and replacement AC Delco parts, but at first glance, the compressor and dryer look the same. It depends on how picky you are. I bet there's some date code that's obvious to those that know.

Do you have a source for R-12? Last time I checked, R-12 was readily available, but ridiculously expensive.

 

[0966Sy]

R12 is outdated, if you have gotten good performance from an original compressor with R12 your doing good. Updating to R134 is more difficult then those typically want to tackle so they just short cut which yields a short compressor life.

When updating you MUST flush all the old oil from the condenser, evaporator, and lines. Accumulator must be replaced and install a new oriface tube. Fresh PAG must be divided to the new compressor, evap and condenser. Replacing O-rings while flushing the system is a no brainer.

A correct R134 upgrade will yield good results, AC compressors are about like batteries. There are only a few manufactures and distributers label them there own brand. My O'Reilly or Napa compressor will perform and last just like any AC delco will. Overcharging of the system will destroy a new compressor over a short time.

If you really want to increase your A/C performance, use a heater core bypass valve restricting coolant flow to the heater core during desired A/C operation. I've seen 10 degree drops doing this.

Don't forget your going to pay out the A$$ for R12, so ask yourself this. How original do you want to be?

 

[turbo_tuna]

Re: Air Conditioning System repair

Is R-12 even still available? I wonder if the cost of converting is a wash to the expense of r-12. My compressor and lines seem to be ok. There is a small amount of charge in the system and it is short-cycling. I suspect it is the original charge.

 

[TGO]

Re: Air Conditioning System repair

You can buy R12 easily on ebay. Shit I even have a few cans here at my house.

As far as buying a new compressor...No. I'd send my stock one out to be rebuilt. I tried going the aftermarket route with my impala and the thing literally exploded after a week. Dryer is a common part and shared across a few vehicles.

I've personally never seen an R134 system out perform an R12 system all things being the same. But YMMV. If you currently run R12 and your system works properly then I see no benefit to upgrading. And if you have a small leak somewhere then you can fix it and still buy R12 to replenish.