Good Afternoon....

I wish that i had good news. But my A/C compressor just died. I was driving down the street and the car sounded like the fan belt was slipping. (mental note: replace fan belt...) but then the A/C went warm and the air had a funny odor to it. :mad: So, I opened the hood - and found that there was *gasp* smoke coming out of te comressor.

I just took it into the shop to get fixed. I was wondering if somebody knew what a resonable quote for this work should be...... Ball park. Just an idea so i can tell if the quote i get is way out of the question.

thanks
John

If the compressor threw off the death crud and metal shavings, you could be looking at a total system rebuild - $1500 to $2000. If they can flush the condensor and hoses, you might get by for half that. Gonna be hard to know until they pull the orifice valve. Sorry to hear.

Happy exploring

Chris
ps.
Ballpark pricing: Compressor $250
Accumulator 70
Condensor 175
Hose with muffler assy $60

Thanks a lot - still haven't called for a quote..........I just had the system redone in April. That was a $900 price tag. Now I'm really ticked off.....

Thanks a lot!!!
John

Just had the system redone in April? What was done? It sounds odd to me that it failed this soon. Tell me in detail what they did in April for $600?

In April - heres what was done

New Accumulator
New Evaporator
System flush
New freon
new screen
new pressure valve
new oil "o" rings

We decided not to do the Compressor because at the time it was all working just fine. But then it decided to give up.

Thanks
John

How old was the compressor ? I mean if it was aged, it's entirely possible it just gave it up. Did you stay with R-12 or was it converted?


Chris

the compressor was orginal to the car - its a '93

we stayed with R12

Thanks a lot for all of your help
John

I'd just guess the compressor gave up the ghost. In the old days with the heavy Yorks and Frigidaire compressors they lasted more or less forever. As they have gotten smaller and lighter, they just do not last. The fs-10 and fx-15 (Explorer compressors) in particular are finite life components it seems. I'm hoping yours failed catastrophically before it could gunk up the system. In the final analysis, and I am not being critical of you or the shop, I suppose if you are doing a rather major system overhaul with a 10 year old fs or fx compressor, it might be wise to simply replace it prophylactically. Let us know how it all works out.

Happy exploring

Chris

AACCK! I have a very similar story. When I got the car in May, the previous owner was in the process of changing out the compressor in the A/C. I waited until he had it swapped and charged the system before I plunked down the cash for the X.

On the 5th, I smelled the fan belt burning, disengaged the A/C. Sure enough, the compressor had seized up, and won't turn at all.

The compressor he put in was from a dismantler's yard, so there's no telling how old it was. It worked great for 2 months.

:rolleyes:

Now, I'm looking at a weekend (plus) worth of work if I try it myself, or a lotta green for the shop.

Question: what is the "death crud" mentioned? Is it metal pieces clogging up the orifice valve, or something more?

"black death" is a mixture of carbonized particles, metal shavings and burnt oil. Usually it means an least a firewall forward replacement of all components, and a reverse flush of the evaporator. (or replacement). Not a good thing.

Happy Exploring

Chris