I am hoping someone could trouble shoot.

I know something is up with my air conditioning. When I turn it on it sound like a bearing is going out. I am thinking in the compressor. It still throws cold air. I was driving into work yesterday morning and my engine stalled. I started it again and as I slowed at a light it stalled again. I turned off the a/c and all was fine. Once I got going again I turned on the A/C and just hot air. Did the compressor puke? I am assuming it seized and broke a belt. Does this sound about right? I have heard stories about repairs at the dealership. Anyone know of a decent place to fix an A/C? I am in Phoenix.

Thanks!

Jeffrey

 

i have the same problem with a truck of mine, does this also occur when the defroster is on?

something to do with a clogged hose or something

 

Sounds like the compressor did quit.I don't know anybody in the Pheonix area,but you will probably need the expansion valve and a new drier as well.(the lines need to be cleaned too)I just did the one on my blazer myself and the parts were about $250.I definately wouldn't recomend the dealership,as the usually charge pretty good for a/c work.Ask around for a good local garage or maybe somebody from the area will chime in with a suggestion.

 

if u take it to the dealership it will cost you tons! a place here said they would do it for me for 700 including parts but that would be to put a whole new system lines and all thats only way they would warenty it

id suggest if i were u... id buy a remanufactured compressor from an auto store.. along with drier and a expansion valve... the valve and drier take no time to put on and is a cake walk the compressor isnt bad either just a a lil tight spot to work in...

if u do it urself u will prolly be out like 200 bucks i picked up my compressor for 130 at o'rileys the drier and valve were around 30 each

be sure to buy the ac oil in the bottle that you pour (and the rite kind).. 8oz bottle is like 2 bucks
before u put the compressor on pour about 4 oz's into it and turn the clutch so it sucks it in but dont turn it but a few turns or it will shoot it back on ya... (messy) and pour about 1 oz in the new drier this way when u start up the system you wont blow things up off the bat..

if u need help with the drier or expansion valve just give a word and ill try to give u a start

if you decide to do it yourself that is
if i did mine ne one can do it.. before i did mine i knew didly about ne of it... just used a haynes manual and did a lil research.. its all pretty easy really.. save the dough and do it urself ... take you like 2 hours tops and cold air...

 

You might try Arizona Mobile Air. I have purchased several a/c parts from them at good prices. They are located in Phoenix and have a shop in addition to the mail order business. http://www.ackits.com is their web site. They also host an a/c forum that has a lot of good info. http://www.autoacforum.com/

 

Thanks all for the replies. I appreciate it. A shop near where I live quoted me $1100. WTF? The dealer (Freeway Chevrolet) didn't even return an email or my phone call. I am doing it myself. A little guidance here goes a long way.

thanks again

Jeffrey

 

your ac may not have an expansion valve just noticed that your in a 2001 Z
i changed the ac on a 96 im not sure if yours has an expansion valve.. it may not use one and have an orifice tube of some kind you may wanna look into that

if you do it yourself id definatly recomend changing the drier and expansion valve/orifice tube at the same time.. i wish i did on mine woulda saved me alot of time what happens is.. when your compressor locks up like yours did.. lil tiny internal pieces of your broke compressor gets shot threw the lines and usually ends up in the drier and orifice tube or expansion valve

so in my case i went cheap route did the ac compressor and my air wasnt cold for didly
so had to do more to it...

good luch with it

 

I got the Hanes manual and it says that the system will have to be discharged and fluids properly disposed of. It recommends taking it to a dealer or a shop that deals with auto a/c. Is this a problem? I feel I can do this but not sure how to get started. It does not describe how to properly discharge the system. Any ideas? thx

 

hehe
well freon isn't good for the enviorment i don't think so thats why they say this plus the ac lines are under somewhat high pressures and could cause an injury to eyes or something. Its no biggie tho do this. under the hood on the ac lines you will see the low pressure and high pressure lines and a and you will see the 2 screw on caps where freon is put in

this is how i drained mine. someone else may have a better idea but it worked

1. put on some safety glasses

2. use a screw driver to push down releasing the freon after unscrewing the cap on one of the lines (it is a good idea to take a large towel and after putting screw driver in hole wrap it around the screw driver end and the piece that had the cap on it this will keep freon from flying all over the place but mainly if it has any dye in the lines it wont get green dye all over you and the engine bay.
(btw.. freon can cause frost bite so try not to get the direct spray on your hands to much.. a lil wont hurt but holding your hands rite in it could not be good)

3. push down on screw driver releasing the freon till its done

4. id do both the low and high pressure lines as you will remove pressure from both

after you do this there will still remain a tiny bit of pressure on the lines but a very low amount that will only make a slight sound when you remove a line

now you have a drained and safe to work on system.

follow the haynes manual directions for installing the compressor, drier, and expansion valve/orifice tube

the manual says to drain the oil from the old compressor and collect it and go by how much was in the old one to know how much new oil to put in the new compressor.. this is the only place id not do what it says its not as simple as it sounds as your compressor is all locked up and u cant make it pump out the oil so just put about 4 oz. in the compressor and 1 oz. in the drier

if you run into any problems along the way of putting the new parts on lemme know and ill try to help ya out best i can and answer your questions.

take your time to make sure that you dont put something on without a seal or something like that or leave something not tightened and once you finish id recomend taking it to a shop and having them pull a vacume on the system and fill it (buy your own freon and take it with you. and tell them to use it. this will save you lots of money most shops charge $15 and up per can if u shop around u can get a can of 134a for $3-4. also tell them what parts you just put on and how much oil you put in each part

the same oil you bought to put in the compressor and the drier can be used to lubericate the seals of lines and what not u take off so be sure to but a lil oil on them when putting things back togather it keeps em from leaking

thats all i can think of atm but if i can help ya ne more lemme know
g'luck