AC Compressor

[curtie94]

Ok so yesterday everything was fine ac blowing cold and no weird noises, but today I go outside and turn my ac on and the idle drops way down to 500 and barely ran, so I turned off the ac and it idled fine. I tried the ac while driving and the clutch engages, but the belt just spun over everything.

Is the compressor seized and done, or is it something else.

[oyajicool]

Is the compressor seized and done, or is it something else.

I don't know what else it could be. Badly blocked line or expansion valve? Drier came apart internally?

[curtie94]

Ok I just went back outside and it works flawlessly again. No more locked up Compressor and the air is just as cold as before. Is there a chance that its the bearing or the clutch.

[Leung]

not so sure but it sounds like a lubrication problem. When was the last time you had the system serviced?

[Jarrett]

It sounds like a failing clutch.

If it were a refrigerant issue then the safety switch would have prevented it from coming on at all, not in an erratic manner. Not saying that you suggested that, I only wanted to rule it out based on what I think I know.

[curtie94]

At first I thought it was seized, but if it were seized it wouldn't be temperamental. The system is all set I added the correct amount of oil and r134a. The only other piece of information I can add is when the ac is on I get a tick from around the engine, could it be a bearing or clutch noise. I have gotten that sound ever since I added in this compressor.

[Leung]

did you use the correct type of oil though?

[oyajicool]

You may have overcharged the system that the compressor is getting liquid instead of gas, causing hydro lock.

If the frequency of that ticking sound is same as your engine rpm and is coming from compressor, you may have ticking bomb in compressor.

If the clutch is failing, it would not engage or slip. Any it may make ticking sound.

[curtie94]

No the ticking is coming from the engine, on the left side. I think it is just the load on the engine.

I charged with PAG oil.

I'll get you pressures so you can go from there.

[Leung]

No the ticking is coming from the engine, on the left side. I think it is just the load on the engine.

I charged with PAG oil.

I'll get you pressures so you can go from there.

I think you would have wanted to use Ester oil as that is the type used in systems that have been retrofitted to take R134a. Did you have the system completely evacuated before using the new stuff?

http://blog.acprocold.com/pagoil/

[curtie94]

Yes I completely evacuated the whole system.

Here are my pressures and temps at idle.

Outside temp: 80F

Vent Temp: 42F

Low side Idle: 30PSI

High Side Idle: 175PSI

[Stoner51]

It sounds like a failing clutch.

If it were a refrigerant issue then the safety switch would have prevented it from coming on at all, not in an erratic manner. Not saying that you suggested that, I only wanted to rule it out based on what I think I know.

My money is on the clutch. I bet when you open the hood there is a funny odor too.

steve

[curtie94]

Ok so I noticed that when I first turn on the ac the rpms drop a good amount and I get a burning smell, but if I shut off the ac and then turn it back on after about 1 minute then it runs fine and I have no smells. Would That be the clutch?

[Stoner51]

Not sure about that. But your pressures look good. Your high side pressure is a tad low which may mean you are undercharged. I think you should be up around 200-220 at 80. However your vent temps are good so I prob wouldn't alter it now.

In the front of the car behind the headlight is the ac pressure switch. I had some intermittant trouble earlier this year and it turned out the connection was not good. Every time I moved the wire the ac would cycle on and off. I ended up getting a new connector from a JY and soldered it in place of the old one. Now all is good. Jiggle the connection see if that may be it. I wouldn't mess with the switch as that will require a refill of coolant.

steve

[10thAnnivCB7]

^ your high pressure is a bit low