I bought my 92 LT1 6 months ago from a local dealer who sells nothing but Corvettes. When I drove the car I noticed the A/C wasn't working. The dealer agreed to have it fixed before I took delivery. When I picked it up everything worked fine until one week later when I heard a horrible noise while driving and smoke started pouring from the sides. Apparently the compressor seized and the a/c clutch was smoked. I called the dealer who said the unit was under a lifetime warranty so I returned the car. Come to find out he had sent it to Kwik Kar lube and tune for the a/c repair (this from a guy who sells vettes). Long story short, in the past 6 months I have had five (count them - 5) compressors put on the car. They tell me they get them from O'Reillys and of course they are rebuilts. Every one has gone south within 100 miles, some blowing seals, others seizing. Now, of course, they don't want to fool with it anymore but I plan to persist until they get it right. BTW, they also replaced all the other components as well (except evaporator) since the first compressor sent metal through the system. And the last time it was in they left the hood open all weekend in their shop and smoked my new battery. NEVER, NEVER let Kwik Kar work on your car and STAY AWAY from O'Reilly rebuilt parts. Oh, and if anyone has any ideas why the compressors are doing this (other than they're just junk) let me know please.

 

Are they replacing the A/C clutch? I'm on my third with no other A/C system problems, perhaps they're replacing something that isn't the problem?

Good Luck!

Jason

 

If your condensor is clogged or blocked by dirt or leaves the head pressure will rise in the system and the compressors blow off valve will free the freon pressure (was that the smoke?)..also are your fans working? If the comp was smoked did it lock up? Then you had to replace belts everytime? They usually lock up when there is too much oil (can't compress fluids) , did they vac it down all the way to get the moisture out. If your going thru that many compressors they or you must have converted to 134a 'cause R12 is $$$$. If so was it done right. :thumbs:

 

My sympathies to you, I sprung for the gm dealer when mine went bad 1 1/2 yrs ago, just over a grand. I just tried it today and it is ok after a long winters nap I only say this in case you get tired of these people good luck to you! :cheers:

 

They actually changed the entirte compressor 5 times (including the clutch). Twice I think the clutch failed but it may have been the compressor putting too much load on the clutch. Currently when I turn the a/c on the clutch tries to engage and seems to hang up finally engaging. If I rev the engine I can see sparks from the clutch. The first time it went out smoke poured from the clutch. The compressor also blew the oil seals 3 times, once 1 block from the repair place. What a mess, oil everywhere. They said they replaced everything except evaporator. Flushed and vacuumed the system each time. One compressor going bad I can understand but not 5 in six months. I guess I'll have to take it to the Chevrolet (ouch) to se if they can figure it out. I just don't know enough about a/c to know if it's just defective parts or the mechanic doesn't know what he's doing. Oh, BTW, yes it is an R-12 system and I can only imagine how much freon has been released (2+ # per charge).

 

make sure someone hasnt bypassed your low press shutoff switch or that its not bad. that will lock up a compressor quick.
if its bypassed it'll be unplugged and the terminals will have been jumped across. the only way to know if its bad is to hook up the gauges and check your pressures. if it drops below 10 psi on the suction side and the clutch dont disengage, replace the switch. may want to make sure no one has done any kinda shade tree wiring to the clutch while your checking.

 

I buy a lot of stuff from O'Reilly's, but there 1 year warranty rebuilt compressors are pretty lousy. They also offer a better unit, but I think it was $300 as opposed to $100. The dealer needs to bite the bullet and spring for a decent part. The labor has got to be killin' him anyway.

 

I'm lost for your problem......but I will post this to get you to the top of forum....Hope someone can help you....
tony
:flag

 

Guess why they didn’t replace the evaporator?
Because it’s an all day job, and one of the most difficult item to replace. If your compressor pulled a self destruct job and contaminated the entire system with metal fragments there is only one way to correct it.
Replace “every” piece or completely flush the entire system.

They only way I flush a system is to remove each item from the vehicle first. Sounds like these people have no clue. Unless they flush or replace the components they will keep replacing compressors forever.
Note: you can’t flush the Accumulator/Receiver Drier these parts must be replaced.

The A/C system isn’t really that difficult to comprehend. Id recommend buying a book or researching online.

 

I finally gave up on these bums at Kwik Car. They wouldn't return my calls (winder why?). I took the car to a competent vette mechanic. Turns out the idiots at Kwik Car overcharged the system with noth freon and oil causing the head pressure to be way too high. They also didn't shim the clutch properly. So not only was the clutch slipping but was under too much load burning it out. The bled freon/oil and replaced the clutch and now it's fine. I can't believe those idiots ruined 4 compressors. Fortunately I got it to the shop before the last compressor they put in blew out. Thanks for your help guys.

 

Do you hav it in writing that the dealer would repair the a/c to the proper working condition?. If so, take the repair bill to them and ask for reimbursement. If they refuse, inform them that you are going to notify the Better Business Bureau, local tv station who follows up on bad public relations, and possible small claims court. All the hassle you have had to endure should not include you paying to have the repair work done at your expense. Hopefully, that will get your money back. If not check into the small claims case. It is fairly easy to do with little cost.