AC compressor 1993 issues... Maybe
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,062
Likes: 166
From: United States
AC compressor 1993 issues... Maybe
I have been driving the vette allot more lately, and have had an issue, I think..
I have the old vibration issue with the AC on, especially during hard acceleration. I had the brackets on the headers, except on that goes from header to Alternator.. I havent had that one on since early 2000s.
When I turn AC off, vibration all but disappears. I took the one bracket off from the AC to the header, the one closest to the wheel well. No change.
And, With fan temps to come on in mid 180s, to avoid tempgate( arguing about temps setting etc etc), the car runs low 180s in 95 degree weather in stop and go.
With AC on, it slowly creeps to 220 relatively quick, but once I drive away its slowly comes down if I can get some decent speed in town, up to 50 lets say.
I know the AC can put some strain on engines and make them run warm, but I honestly dont remember it ever getting this hot this fast and the vibration.
So my question is, can a AC unit be dying and cause extra extra strain on the engine? Is there oil I can check or have checked?
And, if it needs to be changed, can they vacuum out the old R12 and put it back in or is it going to need to be changed to a r134 system?
Anyone ever thermal check their AC compressor while running to see its temp?
Cooling system is fine, BeCool radiator, automatic with B&M stack up front with flow through radiator system, 3.73 gears, 2800 stall..with a 396 LT1 up front.
I have the old vibration issue with the AC on, especially during hard acceleration. I had the brackets on the headers, except on that goes from header to Alternator.. I havent had that one on since early 2000s.
When I turn AC off, vibration all but disappears. I took the one bracket off from the AC to the header, the one closest to the wheel well. No change.
And, With fan temps to come on in mid 180s, to avoid tempgate( arguing about temps setting etc etc), the car runs low 180s in 95 degree weather in stop and go.
With AC on, it slowly creeps to 220 relatively quick, but once I drive away its slowly comes down if I can get some decent speed in town, up to 50 lets say.
I know the AC can put some strain on engines and make them run warm, but I honestly dont remember it ever getting this hot this fast and the vibration.
So my question is, can a AC unit be dying and cause extra extra strain on the engine? Is there oil I can check or have checked?
And, if it needs to be changed, can they vacuum out the old R12 and put it back in or is it going to need to be changed to a r134 system?
Anyone ever thermal check their AC compressor while running to see its temp?
Cooling system is fine, BeCool radiator, automatic with B&M stack up front with flow through radiator system, 3.73 gears, 2800 stall..with a 396 LT1 up front.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 225
Fist things first. Is the system properly charged? Do you have gauges to monitor pressures? You shouldn't feel any vibrations with the a/c on. The LT1 is pretty smooth. The only way I can tell the a/c is on is the cooling fans coming on. Are they operating properly? When was the last time this was tuned up?
Is the compressor making any noise? Just some starting points, and items to think about.
Is the compressor making any noise? Just some starting points, and items to think about.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,062
Likes: 166
From: United States
System runs real cool. I am going to go to shop tomorrow that does corvettes and ask if he can send me somewhere I can trust to verify system pressure.
Overheating issue was found, as I am about to start a separate thread.. Fan relay popped.
One fan, drivers side works, relay is bad. Swapped relay and it came on..
Vibration is a known issue with LT1s with headers as people forget to put 3 brackets on that go from exhaust manifold up.
Overheating issue was found, as I am about to start a separate thread.. Fan relay popped.
One fan, drivers side works, relay is bad. Swapped relay and it came on..
Vibration is a known issue with LT1s with headers as people forget to put 3 brackets on that go from exhaust manifold up.
