My A/C compressor exploded
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 5
From: Roseville CA
My A/C compressor exploded
Damn what a scare. I just got back from a short cruise and was adjusting the idle. I was turning the AC on to check the idle and then BOOOOMMMM. 
Then this HUGE cloud of smoky mist mushroomed out of the engine room. I literally took a dive out of the garage because I didn't know what it was. It was making this loud hissing noise. It continued for a few more seconds until I could get in and shut it off.
At first I thought it was a radiator hose, but there is a fair amount of oil on top of the AC compressor. I haven't looked very close at it. I'm going to wait until it cools off.
Any clues as to what happened? Any risk of any further pops? Obviously something broke and needs repair. I need a drink, I'm still a little shaky.
Then this HUGE cloud of smoky mist mushroomed out of the engine room. I literally took a dive out of the garage because I didn't know what it was. It was making this loud hissing noise. It continued for a few more seconds until I could get in and shut it off.At first I thought it was a radiator hose, but there is a fair amount of oil on top of the AC compressor. I haven't looked very close at it. I'm going to wait until it cools off.
Any clues as to what happened? Any risk of any further pops? Obviously something broke and needs repair. I need a drink, I'm still a little shaky.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Are you sure it wasn't a hose and not actually the compressor. One thing's for sure, bettin' you've got one heck of a mess on your hands. The refrigerant also has oil circulating with it, and fog you saw was a mist of oil spray. The system may have been overcharged, but not any more. Once you calm down a bit, best finding out what popped. Think some compressors actually have pressure relief valves, so maybe just went bad. When you get things fixed up, best weighing the new charge in, to the compressor label if R-12. If R-134a, 80% of that, unless the condensor coil is larger than original.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 5
From: Roseville CA
Turns out it was a hose. I can't believe how loud it was. How much pressure do these things have? I guess it was feon that was gassing out.
Now I'm wondering why it blew? Was it just age or did something get blocked.
This is a smaller hose just under and next to the compressor.
Now I'm wondering why it blew? Was it just age or did something get blocked.
This is a smaller hose just under and next to the compressor.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 741
Likes: 46
From: Hebron IN
Static pressure will be over 120 psi just sitting. High side well over 200 while running.
If those hoses are original I'm surprised they held anything in. Mine were leaking where crimped at each connector and the area near the condenser looked like a balloon.
Replaced mine last week and found that autopartstomorrow.com had the best price on the AC Delco replacement. $96 for for my 75 and they have free next day air UPS shipping.
Royal pain in the *** to replace. Remove the hood to get at the condenser connection. The receiver/drier (or VIR depending on year) is accessed from under the car after removing a small panel. Very cramped area to work.
You'll want new o-rings for every fitting you take apart and a new receiver/drier (or desiccant kit if you have a VIR). Advance Auto sells the desiccant kit for $22.00 and a seal kit $12.00.
Also be sure to look in the suction side port of the compressor when things are apart. There's a conical screen in there which may be loaded up with pieces of rubber.
If those hoses are original I'm surprised they held anything in. Mine were leaking where crimped at each connector and the area near the condenser looked like a balloon.
Replaced mine last week and found that autopartstomorrow.com had the best price on the AC Delco replacement. $96 for for my 75 and they have free next day air UPS shipping.
Royal pain in the *** to replace. Remove the hood to get at the condenser connection. The receiver/drier (or VIR depending on year) is accessed from under the car after removing a small panel. Very cramped area to work.
You'll want new o-rings for every fitting you take apart and a new receiver/drier (or desiccant kit if you have a VIR). Advance Auto sells the desiccant kit for $22.00 and a seal kit $12.00.
Also be sure to look in the suction side port of the compressor when things are apart. There's a conical screen in there which may be loaded up with pieces of rubber.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 5
From: Roseville CA
Static pressure will be over 120 psi just sitting. High side well over 200 while running.
If those hoses are original I'm surprised they held anything in. Mine were leaking where crimped at each connector and the area near the condenser looked like a balloon.
Replaced mine last week and found that autopartstomorrow.com had the best price on the AC Delco replacement. $96 for for my 75 and they have free next day air UPS shipping.
Royal pain in the *** to replace. Remove the hood to get at the condenser connection. The receiver/drier (or VIR depending on year) is accessed from under the car after removing a small panel. Very cramped area to work.
You'll want new o-rings for every fitting you take apart and a new receiver/drier (or desiccant kit if you have a VIR). Advance Auto sells the desiccant kit for $22.00 and a seal kit $12.00.
Also be sure to look in the suction side port of the compressor when things are apart. There's a conical screen in there which may be loaded up with pieces of rubber.
If those hoses are original I'm surprised they held anything in. Mine were leaking where crimped at each connector and the area near the condenser looked like a balloon.
Replaced mine last week and found that autopartstomorrow.com had the best price on the AC Delco replacement. $96 for for my 75 and they have free next day air UPS shipping.
Royal pain in the *** to replace. Remove the hood to get at the condenser connection. The receiver/drier (or VIR depending on year) is accessed from under the car after removing a small panel. Very cramped area to work.
You'll want new o-rings for every fitting you take apart and a new receiver/drier (or desiccant kit if you have a VIR). Advance Auto sells the desiccant kit for $22.00 and a seal kit $12.00.
Also be sure to look in the suction side port of the compressor when things are apart. There's a conical screen in there which may be loaded up with pieces of rubber.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 139
From: Syracuse NY
I remember in the early 90's I had a chevy celebrity (cmon, I was in High school...) with a AC leak. Id go to the store, buy a can of freon and charge the system just before a date. Id get about 4 hours of AC out of a can.
At least you are now my accomplice in destroying the ozone layer! Muhwohahaaaaa!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
I was in the refrigeration industry a few years back, the commercial/industrial end. Actually had to get certified to buy the older chlorine based stuff. Nothing harmful about it, until it gets to the upper atmosphere, turning acidic. That's a trick, as stuffs heavier than air. Some of its a good idea, such as recovery. Before the act, could just vent to the atmosphere. After all the change over, basically zero difference in ozone damage. It's now just political, as home refrigerants just went to 410a, with europe pushing for different auto refrigerants. Of course all this stuffs more expensive.