Anyone have any ideas here?

My new C8 came from Louisville drop shipped to my local dealer via Macculkin with no miles

Factory AC compressor smoked at 6k

Local dealer replaced it

That one lasted until today when it started ticking then white smoked

So I’m headed back for my third AC compressor.

Any ideas what’s going on??

 

Dunno but sounds like maybe an electrical issue causing it to pull too much or not enough current??

If its been out of service enough within the first year after this episode to qualify for a lemon law claim I'd seriously consider it to avoid ongoing issues long-term. Highly suspecious that there isnt a deeper issue if its toastes 2 compressors in so few miles.

 

The system wasn't cleaned properly when the first compressor was replaced. A failed compressor can contaminate the whole system. At a minimum the system needs to be thoroughly cleaned and the receiver/dryer needs to be replaced. Condensers are hard to clean so it is often required to replace the condensers to ensure no subsequent failures.

 

I'm gonna add to post 3, which is correct.

In the version of the service manual I have, the procedure for replacing the compressor itself does not include instructions for flushing the system or replacing other components. But like @RKCRLR said, normally with a hard compressor failure the system needs to be flushed and other components need to be replaced.

The procedure for replacing the compressor calls another procedure called "Air Conditioning Compressor Oil Balancing" . And in turn, that procedure calls another procedure called "Air Conditioning Compressor Oil Diagnosis". And that oil diagnosis procedure will likely lead to the requirements for flushing the system and replacing the components. There is also a blanket statement somewhere in there that says if the system was open for more than 4 hours the desiccant or the component containing the desiccant must be replaced - which would happen if the compressor broke open (which we have seen posted on this forum).

Sp, to wrap up this short story made long - here is list of possible issues that the indicated oil analysis may lead to - did your dealer do any of this?

 

Beginning to realize many dealers have either incompetent service departments or GM has sh***y parts suppliers or both.

 

It is unfortunate, but even when I was a kid working in a couple dealerships, many if not most "mechanics" (as we called them then) simply did as they were told. If instructed to replace Part A they did so, even though some knew more was needed for the job to be done correctly. Somehow I suspect this is still how many Svc. Depts. function, as simply replacing Rollochrome's first compressor suggests.

 

Thanks for the great replies!

I may print out this thread and hand it to them with the keys.

 

Great info in this thread. OP - best of luck in getting your A/C problem resolved so you can enjoy your car.

 

same here - Compressor #2 died July 2024 AND #3 June 2025 - they found metal bits in the lines and fought with GM extended warranty for 1 month to fix. Warranty company sent 3 inspectors to get photos and paid to replace everything. Crosy fingers to see if it lasts longer this time.

Extended warranty paid for itself in 1 service, Thank Todd!!!
60$ out of pocket for the belt, because it's considered ancillary and not covered when the compressor locked up and bunt it off, go figure.

 

Good it was mostly covered. But according to the terms of the contract, assuming you have the Chevrolet Platinum Protection Plan, the belt should be covered. The following is directly from the current sample contract posted on the Chevrolet website.

" If a Covered Part causes damage
to a non-covered part or component, the repair or replacement
costs associated with the non-covered part or component are
covered under the Platinum Plan."

Now, I could not find similar wording in the original B2B warranty manual. Just like the Platinum Protection Plan, the B2B factory warranty is exclusionary, so everything is covered unless its indicated as non-covered. While belts are not specifically excluded (not mentioned), the factory Warranty Manual says " Failure of or damage to components requiring replacement or repair due to vehicle use, wear, exposure, or lack of maintenance is not covered." So GM could argue that belts are not covered under the factory warranty. But it is covered under the Platinum Protection Plan if the belt was damaged due to to the failure of a covered part. In this case, if the compressor locked up, resulting in belt damage, it should be covered.

 

Could also be this generation. I took flowers to my friend's house for dinner. She told her teenage son to put the flowers in a vase with water, and add the plant food that came with the flowers. He put the flowers and water in a vase and dropped the food in-still sealed in its package, just floating in the water.

 

It’s not a BMW. It’s built and engineered in USA all good

 

This made me laugh. Sounds like my older son, the book-smart one.