A/C Compressor
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
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A/C Compressor
I got my A/C fixed the other day, had to have the low side switch replaced. When I got it back, it made an awful racket when I first turned on the A/C that went away after 15-20 seconds. I gave it back to the shop and after a day and a half of letting it sit, they finally reproduced the sound. Their AC tech says its my compressor going bad but that it would last me a few more seasons. My question is, what are the implications or dangers of simply running everything normally and letting the compressor die on its own rather than replacing it now? I don't want to cause any further damage($$$) to the system. It blows REAL cold right now so its running fine besides the start up noise.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Niceville, FL.
May be low on refrigeration oil. I'd install one of those 2 or 4 oz. size oil charges (with the type oil your system has in it, ie., PAG or Ester with R134A or mineral with R12). Don't mix oil types. If it's low this may help save the compressor. If it's not low, it might slightly lower the cooling but, likely not enough to notice.
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Elder User
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Yeah, that's one thing I didn't understand. They recharged it 2 months ago, said they used R134a with oil in it. The system had been leaking at the switch for probably 2 months but when I asked, they said the refrigerant charge was okay. How could it still be okay after leaking for 2 months. I also noticed the clutch is cycling a little too much again. I'm beginning to doubt my faith in them.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
Did it make this noise before he serviced the A/C? Did he maybe charge the system and dump a little too much liquid in the suction side, thus damaging the compressor? How did he CONFIRM the compressor is failing? Do you know what "black death" is and the consequences?
*You can mix oil used with R134 in with mineral oil (R12) during a conversion and all will be fine. The oil used with R134 must be used in the system for sealing purposes; the R12 oil "may" not provide adequate sealing at the compressor shaft. However, R12 >>>> R134 conversions are like politics and religion. Newsflash......you can use R502 in your R12 system
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*You can mix oil used with R134 in with mineral oil (R12) during a conversion and all will be fine. The oil used with R134 must be used in the system for sealing purposes; the R12 oil "may" not provide adequate sealing at the compressor shaft. However, R12 >>>> R134 conversions are like politics and religion. Newsflash......you can use R502 in your R12 system
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Elder User
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No, it didn't make the noise prior to the service. He didn't charge it at all this time. It was charged 2 months ago. When I was checking things out prior to taking it in this time, I did notice a green fluid in the low side port. As far as I know, the only confirmation he did was hearing the noise. I have read about black death before but will refresh myself.
