A/C compressor life expectancy ?
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A/C compressor life expectancy ?
Posted: June 03 2008 11:04 PM
 
Frank Carey (aka fordorfrank) [ View ] [ carey@well.com ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ]
Melbourne, Florida
 
Around the end of the year I plan to undertake a lot of work on my aging 4-door. This will include tidying up the engine room. I'm wondering whether I should get a new AC compressor. There's nothing wrong with the current one - it's just old. It's seen 50k miles in 18 years. Since it's kinda hi-mileage maybe I ought to get a new one - just in case . Any thoughts? A new one will also get me the R134a service ports. I currently have to charge the systrem with a homemade adapter screwed onto the R-12 Shrader valve ports on the back of the compressor housing. Not really a pain - just a nusiance. And a new one will look nicer - especially if I get chrome. But do I really need a new one?
 
 
Comments
 
Posted by ronhotrod  -  06/03/2008 11:09 PM
have you converted the system to 134A or just added the newer refrigerant? If it were my car I think I would change the compressor, the 'O' rings, expansion valve and the drier to 134A units. Start fresh with the right parts and you'll be happier in the long run
ronhotrod [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Mount washington, Kentucky Charter Member since July 2001
 
Posted by Starfire  -  06/03/2008 11:42 PM
It's purely a judgment call sort of thing. I have a '62 Olds with the original A6 compressor in it and the system works just fine. Only complaint is a very minor refrigerant leak somewhere in the system and about every other year I have to add a can of CS-12 to it. (my contribution to global warming)
Starfire [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Weimar, Texas
 
Posted by 37tin  -  06/04/2008 12:52 AM
Starfire,,,Jim, where the heck ya bin ?? you ok ? I still owe you a dubloon by the way, everything allright?
37tin [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] langley, Canada
 
Posted by orphans2  -  06/04/2008 09:43 AM
That's a good question Frank. I have one R134 system that is 8 years old and needs work, and one R12 system that is 20 years old and also needs compressor repair. I think with my R12 I'm going to have it converted over to R134 for now versus going the more expensive route of doing a whole new system. I only need air about 15 days a year.

Where you live you need something so go get a new one. New compressors are not real expensive. I've seen polished and chrome ones on EBay for about $250. While you are at it get the new hoses if you need them and a new drier. Then you can enjoy the cold air in hot and humid south Florida.

It appears that sometime after 2011 R134a will be phased out in Europe automobiles and replaced by R744 (CO2) due to the global warning problems of R134a. It's likely that it will only be a matter of time before it reaches this country. Another proposed subsitute for R134a is LPG.

So with a possible change coming in 5 to 10 years, i will probably go the cheap route for now.
orphans2 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Stewartstown, Pennsylvannia Charter Member since November 2001
 
Posted by Starfire  -  06/05/2008 10:59 AM
37tin - Yeah you do still owe me a doubloon....... (grin) Been doing just fine, just been cutting down on computer time so I can savor the 95-100 degree heat we've been enjoying around here. Thank goodness for functioning A/C systems!
Starfire [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Weimar, Texas
 
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