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i have a 02 cavalier and i think the ac compressor is shot. its knocking really loud.
i see the bolt and all and it seems like it will come off fairly simple, is there more to it then just swapping it out and having a vacuum pulled on it with a recharge? is there other parts that need to be replaced when you do this?
drain all the oil out of the compressor and measure it. replace the orifice tube if it has one. If you see any metal in the lines or orifice tube then you'll need to flush the lines with a suitable solvent, don't flush stuff into the accumulater, remove accumulater and seal the ends off before flushing. Replace all seals with new ones for safe measure. Try not to blow moist compresser air through the lines. Add the correct weight a/c oil back to the compresser, same amount as you removed. I like to add one additional ounce. After reassembly its pretty much just pull a vacuum for 30 minutes, seal it off and recheck the vacuum level after 15 minutes to verify you don't have a leak. Next you're ready for the refridgerant.
I know we have a couple a/c techs here online, just don't know if they're around today.
ok awesome. i wasnt going to do the vacuum and recharge but i did want to replace it myself to save the $$. ill have to get a new compressor with a kit of seals and stuff.
You can replace the Compressor pretty easily, but you will need to have it recharged with R12 from a shop. You can either do the regular R12 or get the "Freeze 12," which is a colder compressing version of R12. Either will work fine. I would do my research and see if the new compressor is recommended to be converted to R134a. Some say yes, but it is totally dependent upon if the compressor can handle the new R134a refrigerant. Also, the R12 and R134a oils are not compatible. Before you go install the new compressor, make sure you know which type of refrigerant you wanna run. Also, if the compressor is shot and you are rebuilding the A/C system, you don't have to do the e-vac thing. You only need to do that if you are going to salavage and reuse the components of the A/C system. You can easily replace the whole A/C system on that car for far less than what it would cost just in the install charges a shop would charge. Since the A/C system is 16 years old, I would recommend you get all new stuff--compressor, drier, Condenser, accumulator, orifice tube, check valve stems, o-rings, etc...
good info but when i said its an 02 i meant 2002 cavalier. but what your saying is if i replace everything i dont need to pull a vac on it?Quote:
Originally Posted by txarkitekt
Oh, may bad. I, for some DUMBASS reason, thought you said 1992. I'm an idiot. Yeah, it you replace it all, then no vac pull is needed.
so the lines and everything?Quote:
Originally Posted by txarkitekt
No, not the hard lines. Just the individual components.
so the thing in the front radiator, (heat exchanger?) and the condensor?Quote:
Originally Posted by txarkitekt
Yes. The compressor, condenser, evaporator, orifice tube, and drier/accumulator.
ok cool, thanks for the helpQuote:
Originally Posted by txarkitekt
sis had an 01 cavi and i never had to do the air on it
Red Heart Beat is dead on. However you could probably get away with just running the flush on the condensor as most metal collects there and at the orfice. If you have access to a lift it makes this repair much easier. I do alot of cavaliers at work and if its knocking its more than likely making glitter. Hahaha. Oh and after the repair check your cooling fans for proper operation, often times the heat/pressure is what kills the compressor. Sometimes they crap out on their own but I have seen cooling fans alot of times the root of the problem.Quote:
Originally Posted by RedHeartbeat
A 2002 is going to be 134a and NOT r-12. That changed around 1993-94 you can tell by the type of fitting for your a/c. If it has external threads it's r-12. Quick disconnect it's 134a. 134a runs at different pressure, is cheaper, you don't have to be certified to buy it from autozone.
You can do the whole thing in your garage if you have a vacuum pump, a/c flush solvent, A/C System Flush Kit and some gauges...you might even be able to fudge the gauges. But you MUST have a vacuum. Remove compressor, drier/accumulator, orifice tube(and then put the hose back together where the orifice tube WAS). Now you have two lengths and 4 outlets of pipe one goes through condenser and one goes through evap. Hook up the flush kit to air supply and get all the "glitter" out unless you enjoy changing compressors regularly. Point the hoses away form stuff you dont like covered in shiny liquid that smells like horse manure!!
All clean. New orifice tube, new drier/accumulator. Look on your old drier or somewheres else under your hood and look for how much refrigerant aka 134a and oil aka PAG-150 you need, in ounces. Pour like half in the compressor, and the rest in the line somewhere. Hook up the compressor and now you should have a closed system full of PAG oil, air, and moisture! (you can use oil to lube up seals if you needed new ones, but do NOT put the oil on the threads of ANYTHING) Without a vacuum now your a/c won't work for $hit. Pull a vacuum all night if you want, the longer the better. Then let it sit for 15 minutes and watch the gauge to see if you haev/can hear a leak(assuming you have a gauge) With a vacuum you can get a can or so of 134a right in the system without turning the compressor on. After that the compressor should suck down the rest of the 134a until you have replaced what the label said under the hood that you needed down the low side. Or alldata or Google will tell you how much oil and 134a to put in. Viola!! New a/c :D
you can't find r-12 for sale, i still have a 5 gallon jug of r-12 and 134a for all my a/c jobs
A11 REFRIGERANT SOURCES AND PRICES FOR R11,R12, R22, R502, R134a, R113, R123, R409A, R408A, R500, R404AQuote:
Originally Posted by the big d
Sure you can. It just isn't manufactured in the USA any more. Its really expensive and you cannot buy it legally unless you are certified by the EPA.
damn i have 800 dollars worth of r-12 stillQuote:
Originally Posted by r6z4o6
lol yeah i know. Smuggling drugs is SO 1990'sQuote:
Originally Posted by the big d
Smuggling
More Smuggling
Hi
I was searching for anything to re-charge my R-123a So I found Something Maybe It Will Be More Useful For Your Issue And
otherwise it helps me too.
Here
THis is a 2 year old post....I imagine he has this fixed and he doesnt even own the car anymore.