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a/c compressor problem

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Old Sep 2, 2007 | 02:20 PM
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Default a/c compressor problem

just got a new r4 compressor (again) and i think it may have locked up. the only thing i can think of is maybe too much refrigerant. will too much refrigerant cause it to lock up? it was cooling very nicely the past 5 days, and then it locked up. should i get another compressor? would another brand perform better than an r4?
thanks
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Old Sep 2, 2007 | 03:05 PM
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My compressor almost siezed when I used the wrong oil for the R134 refregirant. When I drained the oil from the compressor it was VERY thick! I flushed the whole thing twice and removed ALL residues from all the lines, evaporator and condenser, then I flushed the compressor very well with the correct oil, now everything seems to work very nice for almost 2 weeks on a daily driven vette.

If you have the correct oil and dont seem thick, then I think you have to remove the compressor, flush the whole thing, then put a new compressor back.
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Old Sep 3, 2007 | 09:00 AM
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Originally Posted by HamadUP
My compressor almost siezed when I used the wrong oil for the R134 refregirant. When I drained the oil from the compressor it was VERY thick! I flushed the whole thing twice and removed ALL residues from all the lines, evaporator and condenser, then I flushed the compressor very well with the correct oil, now everything seems to work very nice for almost 2 weeks on a daily driven vette.

If you have the correct oil and dont seem thick, then I think you have to remove the compressor, flush the whole thing, then put a new compressor back.
Yes. wrong oil will do it. Speaking from recent experience. I converted my non working, previously R12 system over to 134. Trashed a new compressor in 2 days. I failed to have the system flushed before have it filled with the 134. The only parts I had not replaced initialy were the condnser and the evaporater. Have since replaced the condenser. These 2 parts evidently still had some of the R12 residue in them, and it cost me a compresser. Flushing is very Important!!!!!!!!
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Old Sep 3, 2007 | 02:51 PM
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how much psi of 134 do you put in your system. what's the max without locking it up?
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Old Sep 3, 2007 | 04:07 PM
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The general rule for going to R134a is to charge the system with around 75% of the R12 charge.
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Old Sep 3, 2007 | 04:27 PM
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If the fitting on the back of the compressor is cold, then you have too much.

Pressures vary at temps and different systems etc. shoot for low 30's

After 5 days, chances are you had an oiling problem.
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Old Sep 3, 2007 | 07:12 PM
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Originally Posted by noonie
If the fitting on the back of the compressor is cold, then you have too much.

Pressures vary at temps and different systems etc. shoot for low 30's

After 5 days, chances are you had an oiling problem.
well i had almost 48-50 psi in the system, and i didn't have any problems for 5 days. when took it off a few hrs ago. it still had a bunch of oil in it...it was very thick though.
i don't know if the compressor was bad or not. it was brand new, not remaned.
but with like 50 psi it cooled nicely in my climate, it didn't freeze up or anything...
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 02:28 AM
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Thats exactly what happened to me when I had the wrong oil with R134 refregirant. I stopped and dismantel the system just before my compressor was completely siezed, luckily I had no permenant damage to the compressor. check my post in the auto a/c forum and I am sure you'll be able to fix the problem :

http://www.autoacforum.com/messagevi...threadid=18193
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