Compressor Smoked - Rebuild?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg, Fla.
Compressor Smoked - Rebuild?
It looks like my compressor clutch smoked itself on Rosey. It didn't spray any black goo on the hood, but smoked up good enough to get that metal on metal friction smell. We disconnect it quickly once we saw the smoke, so hopefully the damage has been localized and a good flush will get any contaminants out of the entire system.
Doing research, I see that a NEW compressor is going to run in the $400 range. Prior to pulling the trigger, I searched the forum and see that some brave souls have tackled the rebuild option and I see some YouTube vids that detail the tips and tricks in rebuilding our Denso units. It looks like this can be accomplished for half the cost of a new unit AND you can gain some knowledge of A/C systems in the process.
Those of you A/C pros with experience (SunCr specifically) - is it a smart idea to tackle a rebuild and stay with the unit the car has had since new? Or am I just cheap and crazy?
I'm willing and ready!!
Doing research, I see that a NEW compressor is going to run in the $400 range. Prior to pulling the trigger, I searched the forum and see that some brave souls have tackled the rebuild option and I see some YouTube vids that detail the tips and tricks in rebuilding our Denso units. It looks like this can be accomplished for half the cost of a new unit AND you can gain some knowledge of A/C systems in the process.
Those of you A/C pros with experience (SunCr specifically) - is it a smart idea to tackle a rebuild and stay with the unit the car has had since new? Or am I just cheap and crazy?
I'm willing and ready!!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Somewhere here in this Forum there is a link to a place in Cali that sells brand name a/c stuff at wholesale prices. I have no idea how to drum that up out of the bowels of the search engine but if you find it, post the link. Its been a few years since I saw it but at the time new compressors where about $200.
Lee does have a very good point if you can find one locally.
Lee does have a very good point if you can find one locally.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 310
Likes: 47
It looks like my compressor clutch smoked itself on Rosey. It didn't spray any black goo on the hood, but smoked up good enough to get that metal on metal friction smell. We disconnect it quickly once we saw the smoke, so hopefully the damage has been localized and a good flush will get any contaminants out of the entire system.
Doing research, I see that a NEW compressor is going to run in the $400 range. Prior to pulling the trigger, I searched the forum and see that some brave souls have tackled the rebuild option and I see some YouTube vids that detail the tips and tricks in rebuilding our Denso units. It looks like this can be accomplished for half the cost of a new unit AND you can gain some knowledge of A/C systems in the process.
Those of you A/C pros with experience (SunCr specifically) - is it a smart idea to tackle a rebuild and stay with the unit the car has had since new? Or am I just cheap and crazy?
I'm willing and ready!!
Doing research, I see that a NEW compressor is going to run in the $400 range. Prior to pulling the trigger, I searched the forum and see that some brave souls have tackled the rebuild option and I see some YouTube vids that detail the tips and tricks in rebuilding our Denso units. It looks like this can be accomplished for half the cost of a new unit AND you can gain some knowledge of A/C systems in the process.
Those of you A/C pros with experience (SunCr specifically) - is it a smart idea to tackle a rebuild and stay with the unit the car has had since new? Or am I just cheap and crazy?
I'm willing and ready!!
Their website is:
http://www.jensenparts.com/
Jon will tell you all the parts you need to replace along with the compressor. If nothing else, you can use Jensen's price to see what kind of deal you are getting for a rebuilt one locally. Either way, I know that this is one of those C4 parts that is not cheap to replace.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Same thing happened to my 86 last year. I'm guessing the oil level was down.
Compressor seized on a trip rolling at 75mph. Pulled the clutch wire and motored on.
We flushed the system with compressed air and denatured alcohol.
No particles were expelled. Inspection of the pump revealed frozen pistons.
Been running without problem. New comp, dryer and strainer/filter & 134a conversion.
Compressor seized on a trip rolling at 75mph. Pulled the clutch wire and motored on.
We flushed the system with compressed air and denatured alcohol.
No particles were expelled. Inspection of the pump revealed frozen pistons.
Been running without problem. New comp, dryer and strainer/filter & 134a conversion.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
its hard to tell with these things....
The new comp that I installed several yrs ago rattled like it was in pieces when the clutch was engaged...so much that I took It to the store to let the manager listen to it..
He ask..." does it cool ok?
Yep.
"does it do THAT all the time"?
yep.
"any other problems other than the noise it makes"?
nope.
"keep your warranty receipt just in case but I doubt its going to be an issue...." he says.
That was a good 6 yrs ago. and it has NOT been an issue at all. Still rattles at low rpm/idle. Still blows ice cold (134a).
Point being, you just can't tell.
I recall the parts store would NOT post the warranty UNLESS I rented the gauges and vac pump as part of the purchase. To them, that confirms the comp was properly set up and installed.....
The new comp that I installed several yrs ago rattled like it was in pieces when the clutch was engaged...so much that I took It to the store to let the manager listen to it..
He ask..." does it cool ok?
Yep.
"does it do THAT all the time"?
yep.
"any other problems other than the noise it makes"?
nope.
"keep your warranty receipt just in case but I doubt its going to be an issue...." he says.
That was a good 6 yrs ago. and it has NOT been an issue at all. Still rattles at low rpm/idle. Still blows ice cold (134a).
Point being, you just can't tell.
I recall the parts store would NOT post the warranty UNLESS I rented the gauges and vac pump as part of the purchase. To them, that confirms the comp was properly set up and installed.....
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