Squeeky new compressor

[BrettS]

I just finished replacing my compressor last night with a rebuilt one. Today, when I start the car with the AC on the compressor squeeks for a few minutes. It seems that as I start driving, once the engine revs up a bit the squeek gets a little louder (the faster the engine, the louder the squeek), then it stops and it seems to stay quiet for the rest of the drive. But after I shut it off, once the car has had a chance to cool down it will squeek again the next time I start driving.

It's definitely the compressor, and it only happens when it's engaged. I can start the car and have someone turn the AC on and off and watch as the squeek starts when the compressor engages and stops when it disengages.

Oddly enough, it did not squeek last night while I was charging the system, but the first time I started the car this morning it did squeek.

Like I said, it is a rebuilt compressor and it has a warantee, but it would still be a pain to evacuate the system again (Especially since I don't have any way to recover the refrigerant) and recharge it again. Do you guys think that this is something that's likely to get worse with time and I should replace it now, or does it just need a little while to break in the new compressor and it may stop with time?

Thanks much,
Brett

 

[shamaal]

You didn't mention the vehicle make year or engine, so I'll give a general reply. When you replaced the compressor did you fill it with PAG oil (4oz)? There should be instructions that came with it that tell you what to do, some say replace, some ship with correct oil.

If you replaced other components (accumulator, condensor) did you add oil to them (approx 2 oz each)? If so there shouldn't be a squeek. Occasionaly the clutches squeek, but that's disengaged.

As to replacement, most manufacturers only warrant their compressor on the condition that the accumulator and orifice are charged at the same time, it's in the fine print. If it was me and I hadn't replaced the accumulator and orifice or I forgot to add oil, I'd bring it back now, tell them it was DOA, exchange it and correct my mistakes.

If I had done those items, I'd run it a week and see if it improves and if not, exchange it and see if I can talk the store manager into coughing up the R134a for reduced price or free.

Others may have a different opinion.

Good Luck

 

[BrettS]

Thanks for the reply Shamaal. In answer to your questions, this is on a 98 Jeep Cherokee with a 4.0L I6 Engine. I replaced the compressor, the accumulator, the liquid line (because Jeep permenantly installs the orifice tube in the liquid line), and the compressor hose manafold assembly (because one of the valves was leaking). Actually, I replaced everything but the evaporator and the condenser. I also flushed the evaporator and the condenser.

The instructions that came with the compressor said in big letters to add oil because it ships with none. I added 4oz of PAG oil to the compressor (about half on each side) and distributed another 4oz among the other components (according the the NAPA chart in the sticky at the top of this forum I should have 8oz in the system). I did evacuate the system and kept the vacuum pump running for about an hour before I charged it.

Since (I believe) I did everything right, I'll do as you suggest and let it run for a few days or a week and see how it goes. I'm not too terribly worried about the extra R134a if I do need to replace it, because I got a 6 pack of 12oz cans for a good price and used a bit less than 2 cans to charge it (the system takes 20oz according to the sticker under the hood).

I'm more worried about the extra work involved in replacing it, and what to do with the R134a that's in the system now as I have no way to recover it and I'd hate to just release it. Maybe I can go to a mechanic and get him to recover it at no cost since he'll get to keep the refrigerant.

Thanks again,
Brett

 

[ma96782]

Why not contact the seller of the compressor.....and ask them?

Aloha, Mark

 

[BrettS]

Just to follow up on this, it looks like it did just need a bit of time. I haven't heard any squeeking from the compressor for the past day or two. I'll keep my eye on it, but hopefully life is good now.

Thanks again guys,
Brett