Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

Provided by www.ACkits.com

We've updated our forums!
Click here to visit the new forum

Archive Home

Search Auto AC Forum Archives

PLEASE TELL ME i DIDNT KILL MY BRAND NEW COMPRESSOR

1320-camaro-383 on Wed June 11, 2008 5:58 PM User is offline

Year: 2001
Make: dodge
Model: grand caravan
Engine Size: 3.3
Refrigerant Type: 134

Heres the deal.I have a 01 caravan and the compressor was shot to the point it was ready to seize up.I bought a brand new,blew out the lines going from the compressor with air,installed the compressor and charged it.It worked great for about a hour and then stopped working.After I charged it it was still a little low about 32psi.When it stopped working it was at 100+psi.Where did I go wrong?Someone told me the new compressor is now junk,please tell me thats not the case.I did not buy a new drier at the time but do have a new one on order.I see people write about pulling vac can you please explain what that means,and what does the drier do?.So My main question is when I get the new drier do you think I can install it tru to blow out/flush out the lines and all will be good or did I just waste 200.00 on the compressor?Thanks

Chick on Wed June 11, 2008 6:49 PM User is offlineView users profile

Vac/charge procedure is how it's done. make sure the outer hub turns freely, did you hear any noise? Are your dash lights blinking?? Follow the vac.charge procedure and fill yours by weight into the vacuum..

-------------------------
Chick
Email: Chick

---------------------------------------------

Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

1320-camaro-383 on Wed June 11, 2008 7:19 PM User is offline

Thanks for the advice.The compressor seems fine still,and there are no lights on.I think there might be a blockage.When I blew air through the compressor lines the pressure wanted to blow the air nozzle off the line.I had to push with a lot of force to not have the air just blow back out at me.Is this normal or do you think theres a blockage?

Chick on Wed June 11, 2008 7:44 PM User is offlineView users profile

It's normal if you're trying to blow air thru the expansion valve.. Otherwise which line do you mean??

-------------------------
Chick
Email: Chick

---------------------------------------------

Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

1320-camaro-383 on Wed June 11, 2008 9:27 PM User is offline

I blew it through one compressor line and hoped to get any metal debris out of the other compressor line.Should I get some flush?If so any advice on how to flush it properly?

TRB on Wed June 11, 2008 9:31 PM User is offlineView users profile

Fllushing link 1

Flushing link 2

-------------------------

When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: ACkits.com
Contact: ACKits.com

Chick on Wed June 11, 2008 9:33 PM User is offlineView users profile

Flush procedure that you can follow, be sure to blow all the flush out, and then do it again with more air..then more air...to make sure the system is dry..Do not flush compressors, thru expansion valves or hoses with muffler. Replace the expansion valve and drier after the system is clean and dry..No shortcuts here, or you'll be doing it over and over..Hope this helps..

The tips and FAQ page has a lot of good information you can read before trying to fix your AC.

-------------------------
Chick
Email: Chick

---------------------------------------------

Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

bohica2xo on Wed June 11, 2008 9:34 PM User is offline

Ok, the way I read the first post:

Your old compressor was knocking & banging, spewing debris into the system as it died.

You removed the old compressor, and without disconnecting anything else blew shop air down both the suction & discharge line.

You then installed a new compressor. No oil, no system flushing, no new dryer. You do not mention pulling a vacuum, so I will guess that was not done either.

After all of that, you charged the system? If the new compressor is still good, you should buy a lottery ticket.

Depending on how much trash the first compressor put into the condensor, you may be looking at replacing it as well. At the very least a complete separation of all of the major components, and a complete flush is in order. A new dryer, and a proper oil charge. If the new compressor is ok, a flush with oil as covered in the FAQ section. You will need to remove & inspect the TXV for debris. If you find any significant pieces, the condensor is toast.

A vacuum must be pulled on the system after reassembly, and before charging to remove moisture, and non-condensible gasses.

B.

-------------------------
"Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act of depriving a whole nation of arms, as the blackest."
~ Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi, An Autobiography, M. K. Gandhi, page 446.

1320-camaro-383 on Wed June 11, 2008 10:27 PM User is offline

Yeah thats about right,I did put a can of oil in it with the 134 at least.Can you please explain why the condenser would be junk?Isnt it basically just a radiator?And is it the metal that might have killed the compressor?I assume if I had over 100 psi it must be working still.I read through the links but can you please try to put it in laymans terms how to pull vacume?I really appreciate all the help.

iceman2555 on Wed June 11, 2008 11:31 PM User is offlineView users profile


Hopefully this time the photo was sized correctly.
The statement about the condenser being 'trashed' comes from many years of experience working with automotive A/C systems. The small flow orifices in this Chrysler condenser may be even smaller in your unit. This is a first generation Parallel Flow Hi Efficiency unit from a Caravan. The flow of this condenser is nothing like a radiator...the flow is thru the first 7 tubes of the condenser...follow the line from the compressor to the condenser...this is the inlet side of the unit...this is where the trash produced by a failed compressor will accumulate. It is almost impossible to properly clean these units. They can be cleaned....but not simply by blowing air...or any other gas thur them...it requires specialized flush equipment and chemicals. The old method of charging a flush cannister with whatever chemical one chooses and then blowing that flush the the condenser to clean it is a part of history.
Blowing air..or any gas thru a AC component to remove debris....oil......is .....what the heck...it simply does not work.....fluids will remove lubes...contamination....but not gas.....not gonna happen.
There are specialized repair techniques necessary to properly repair a failed component in a A/C system....the best advice....located a good source for this info and follow the instructions to the letter.....short cuts will result in a good training program....one gets to do it over.....over.....over and over. The down side of this is that all those compressor destroyed are simply returned to the jobber with a statement that these compressors are 'junk'......'trash'.....'POS'...etc....when the failure is not the result of a failed part.
Adding a 'can' of lube.....what type....what viscosity....did it have a 'sealer' in it...how much????
A compressor is not going to compressor air...(no evacuation/vacuum) and excessive air in a system may result in severe compressor problems. 100psi....was the compressor engaged...clutch turning...or was this a static pressure.....if the compressor was engaged....clutch turning...and this was an operational pressure...there is a good chance...it is trashed.....more debris in the condenser.....
Want to do this job correctly....get all the parts necessary....another compressor (?).....rec/drier/filter/TXV....and seriously consider a condenser replacement.....be sure to obtain a PFHE unit....some good flush to clean the lube from the evap.....a good vacuum pump....a set of gauges.....and oh..yes.....get a manual and study how to do the job correctly.....the sponsor of this site has a great beginner set......


-------------------------
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson



Edited: Wed June 11, 2008 at 11:34 PM by iceman2555

iceman2555 on Wed June 11, 2008 11:43 PM User is offlineView users profile



Perhaps the resize works this time....

-------------------------
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson

TRB on Thu June 12, 2008 12:43 AM User is offlineView users profile

Well done Ice, A6 data anytime soon?

-------------------------

When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: ACkits.com
Contact: ACKits.com

Back to Automotive Air Conditioning Forum

We've updated our forums!
Click here to visit the new forum

Archive Home

Copyright © 2016 Arizona Mobile Air Inc.