whats the deal with ac compressors

[28Marcos]

My GF's ac went out in her cherokee, and was told it was her compressor, my friend is a certified mechanic who can change it out but he says she will have to take it to someone to refill it. is it as easy as that? but she is getting different answers from shops. what do you think? also, does an air compressor just break or does it gradually go out?
thanks ls1

[FORD RECOVERY EXPERT]

Year model of jeep?


The can break both ways, my last one just siezed and threw the belt...


The year will reflect the process.....

[28Marcos]

i believe its a 99

[1fastcamarosss11]

you should be able to switch over to 134a.

[FORD RECOVERY EXPERT]

a 99 should already be r134a.... You just need someone to evac the system, (per EPA) and DO NOT wrap a fitting in a papertowl, and crack it with a wrench, thus bleeding off the freon into the ozone depleting it....

once freon is out, replace compressor, and refill, they have the handy bottles at vato zone that have a gauge built right in..... Easy as pie....

[zmg00camaross]

And replace the filter drier anytime you open the a/c system

[rbob93]

If the compressor went, the system needs to be flushed to remove any debris.
Failure to do so could result in another compressor failure.
Always pull a vacuum on a system that was opened.
New compressor & flushed system will need an oil charge as well.

[Goldcuffs]

If the compressor went, the system needs to be flushed to remove any debris.
Failure to do so could result in another compressor failure.
Always pull a vacuum on a system that was opened.
New compressor & flushed system will need an oil charge as well.

+1 and at minimum an orifice tube.

[rbob93]

+1 and at minimum an orifice tube.

Cheap insurance

[sjd73ss]

a 99 should already be r134a.... You just need someone to evac the system, (per EPA) and DO NOT wrap a fitting in a papertowl, and crack it with a wrench, thus bleeding off the freon into the ozone depleting it....

once freon is out, replace compressor, and refill, they have the handy bottles at vato zone that have a gauge built right in..... Easy as pie....

Funny I just called my local a/c rad shop about vacuuming my freon out for my engine swap and he told me straight out to just open the lines and let it spray out I shit you not!@!!!

[FORD RECOVERY EXPERT]

My DO NOT was only to cover my ass.....

[sjd73ss]

My DO NOT was only to cover my ass.....

haha

[FORD RECOVERY EXPERT]

Its kinda like the local EMT protocols here in my county.

If a diabetic is entering a low sugar coma, we CAN NOT administer glucose tablets.... But, if the patient JUST SO HAPPENS to have some in their personal effects, and I ask them if they'd like to take it.... well, you know.

[Spikito]

yeah they have to replace the compressor, the orifice, and either the evaporator or the condenser.

the compressor is generally what goes out, it throws trash into the system, ficking up the orifice, and then it all collects in the evap/cond.

Ive had my compressor go out every summer for the last 3 years on one vehicle or another. first one siezed up and sheared the clutch on me...got lucky cuz it allowed the belt to still spin. the second was when i bought my camaro, it was out when i got it, had a leak somewhere. then the third blew a gasket cuz it was a crappy compressor.

[edbird]

Air is an enemy to the A/C system. Moisture in the air mixes with the A/C oil and forms an acidic sludge that shortens the life of the system.Also air left in the system raises the head pressure because now you are trying to compress the refrigerent and the air.

So I believe vacuuming is very important-or you can keep changing compressors every year or two.

[Cutlass]

If the compressor is being replaced because it leaks, then you wouldn't need a AC flush. Just replace it, vac the air out, and recharge. Replacing the dryer and orfice is a good idea while the system is opened up.