Air Conditioning Compressor Question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '06
Air Conditioning Compressor Question
I am pretty sure that I have a compressor problem on my 2000 A4. I turn the air conditioner on and I started to get a knocking kind of whining sound. The air conditioner is still cooling although I only turned it on for a few minutes to see if it was cooling... I took it by a shop this afternoon and had a guy take a quick look and listen, he just said, "yep, its the compressor" and then went on about his business. My question, actually the first question is... What would be a tell tale that the compressor itself had gone bad? second, it could possibly be the clutch going bad, so can you just buy the clutch instead of the whole compressor and clutch assembly? third, does anybody have part numbers or have any ideas on pricing?
Frustrated....
Thanks
Jason
Frustrated....
Thanks
Jason
Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
From: Oviedo FL
I'd say the knocking sound is not a good sign and could possibly be a tell-tale sign the compressor is going south. You can have a reputable A/C shop (one that specializes in automotive A/C) take a look at it. A lot of times they check the high and low pressure sides of the A/C system and tell you if it is low on refrigerent. Sometimes they can put some extra oil in the system and the knocking may go away. This would probably buy you some time if the compressor is going bad.
I doubt it is the clutch going bad but if so I believe you can buy the compressor clutch/pulley assy. separte from the compressor.
Options on replacing the compressor are buying rebuilt or brand new. Rebuilt is cheaper but if you plan on keep you Vette for any length of time and spend the extra bucks for a new one. You can try Fred Beans (supporting vendor here on the Forum) for a new one. He'd probably have the best price.
I've personally never had any luck with the rebuilt compressors.
Good Luck!
I doubt it is the clutch going bad but if so I believe you can buy the compressor clutch/pulley assy. separte from the compressor.
Options on replacing the compressor are buying rebuilt or brand new. Rebuilt is cheaper but if you plan on keep you Vette for any length of time and spend the extra bucks for a new one. You can try Fred Beans (supporting vendor here on the Forum) for a new one. He'd probably have the best price.
I've personally never had any luck with the rebuilt compressors.
Good Luck!
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
Just had to replace mine in my '98 vert 3 weeks ago. Shopped around and found that http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/ had the best prict on the full, new compressor. They are a vendor here. Click on link on left of main page. Price was at least $200.00 cheaper than dealer pricing. Can't remember the exact price...easy to look up on their site. Don't be in a hurry, ther're not the fastest..at least for this part.(They had to order it for me before they shipped it) From what I was told you can not buy just the clutch. There is a seal kit though..$35.00. Plan on buying that too so you don't have any leaks at fittings. Bought mine, had local a/c shop install it. Now it's like a refer. Works great. Good luck, Mike.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '06
Thanks guys, I appreciate you taking the time to help me out. I kind of figure it's going to cost me a new compressor. But I am going by the shop first thing in the morning to discuss it with my mechanic. I am going to keep my fingers crossed but am expecting it to be pretty bad...
Funny how a day can be full of highs and lows... Highs-got my hotchkis sway bars... Lows-compressor goes out... Jeez, wonder what tomorrow will be like...
Jason
Funny how a day can be full of highs and lows... Highs-got my hotchkis sway bars... Lows-compressor goes out... Jeez, wonder what tomorrow will be like...
Jason
Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: Plainfield Illinois
Hi... I have been in the A/C business for 40 years...
Have the people put GUAGES on the compressor. Suction and Discharge guages. The System runs refrigerant that will be at about 35/40 pounds suction pressure and (depending on the ambient temperature) 225/275 # head pressure... If the clutch works it will drive the compressor. Check the temp comming out the discharge grilles in the car. It should be about 30 degrees less than the temperature of the return air( ambient air in the car). If the compressor is making expensive noises, and the temp (delivered) is less than 25/30 degrees... the compressor may be bad...
ZOOOM
Have the people put GUAGES on the compressor. Suction and Discharge guages. The System runs refrigerant that will be at about 35/40 pounds suction pressure and (depending on the ambient temperature) 225/275 # head pressure... If the clutch works it will drive the compressor. Check the temp comming out the discharge grilles in the car. It should be about 30 degrees less than the temperature of the return air( ambient air in the car). If the compressor is making expensive noises, and the temp (delivered) is less than 25/30 degrees... the compressor may be bad...
ZOOOM
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,947
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta GA
my AC compressor has been ticking for a while now, and boy... it ticks like crazy 
its at the point where its embarrasing to keep it on if people are around my car outside...
i just bought a used one here on the forum, keep a look out...they'll show up. Mine has less than 10k on it, and i got it for $50.
good luck
its at the point where its embarrasing to keep it on if people are around my car outside...i just bought a used one here on the forum, keep a look out...they'll show up. Mine has less than 10k on it, and i got it for $50.
good luck
