AC compressor making steady clicking sound

[mike561]

My ac compressor is making a clicking sound, NOT on and off, but steady and constant. It gest faster as the rpms get higher, but the AC is still blowing cold. When i shut off the AC the clicking stops. the cluch is not cycleing on and off, its engagged the whole time the ac is on, i have read its normal for the clutch to be engagged and not click on and off in hot temps (its been well over 90 degrees during the day here) but i wanna know what this annoying clicking sound is. The compressor is a Delphi and is only about three years old btw...

[mike561]

any intelligent input?

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by mike561

any intelligent input?

put 4 oz of the conversion oil in it ...this is r134 conversion on this ?

low oil causes the compressor to make more noise...

[mike561]

yeah this has been converted to 134a, do you put the oil in the low side where the refridgerent goes or somewhere in the compressor itself? or should i just run one can of 134a wit oil already in it?

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by mike561

yeah this has been converted to 134a, do you put the oil in the low side where the refridgerent goes or somewhere in the compressor itself? or should i just run one can of 134a wit oil already in it?

install on the low pressure side . use the oil charge can , with oil and some r134 ...if the noise reduces then you know it was from low oil ..

a few oz of extra oil will not damage anything ...too little oil will ...

conversion oil is ester oil . this is a mineral based oil ...do not use the PAG oil for the newer vehicles with R134 ...

if it still makes the same noises it may be a restriction in the system ...the ac system has filter screens that get plugged up ..

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by 3100

- you will need new accumulator with pressure equalization hole.

liquid 134a when engine is turned off accumulates in the compressor cavity and when engine is started and ac compressor working it will make that sound as long as the liquid 134a is passing through the compressor.


-year of your vehicle would be helpful with engine size. Also are you sure it is coming from ac compressor since this cars had problems with heater shut off door warping and is contacting inside side of the HVAC module.

If liquid refrigerent gets into the compressor the compressor will rapidly fail...the reason liquid gets to the compressor is because of excessive refrigerent in the system ...or improper charging technic..

with the 1983 model year the compressor is the highest point in the ac system , unlike the much newer R134 designed systems .......

[3100]

Originally Posted by j cAT

If liquid refrigerent gets into the compressor the compressor will rapidly fail...the reason liquid gets to the compressor is because of excessive refrigerent in the system ...or improper charging technic..

with the 1983 model year the compressor is the highest point in the ac system , unlike the much newer R134 designed systems .......

disregard my post I did not realize that this was 83 model, my post refers to models in 90s.

[mike561]

Well i decribed my problem to two mechanics and they both say the compressor is about to fail, its actually making more of a LOUD knocking sound than clicking. they claim its tearing itself up internally. which sucks because this compressor is only three years old, however i herd R4 compressors are total peices of sh*t to begin with though. is there anyway to get something good quality? i cant afford replacing compressors every few years...

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by mike561

Well i decribed my problem to two mechanics and they both say the compressor is about to fail, its actually making more of a LOUD knocking sound than clicking. they claim its tearing itself up internally. which sucks because this compressor is only three years old, however i herd R4 compressors are total peices of sh*t to begin with though. is there anyway to get something good quality? i cant afford replacing compressors every few years...

it is common for these compressors to fail when r134 is used ...there life is about 4yrs ...


I had this compressor last 17yrs with r12 ...

the system needs a good chemical flushing before installing the new compressor ...that orifice tube screen gets dirty and the compressor suffers damage...

have an ac shop inspect for why this has failed and then take the correct recommended action..

[brcidd]

I never convert systems that use R-4 compressors- you have worn out your slider block to yoke interface- you have massive rotational lash in your compressor- test this by rotating compressor clutch back and forth- you will feel the rotational lash. 134a and R-4s is not a kind mix---leave them R-12. and you'll get 20 yrs or more life out of them...

[mike561]

oh ok, yeah i didnt know R4 compressors didnt mix well with 134a

[silicon212]

Hmm ... interesting. My R4 system has been R134a since 2002 and still works, that's on the factory original compressor!

The biggest thing is the oil deal ... make sure all of the old oil is evacuated, then use only ester oil for the R134a, never use PAG oil. Ester oil is sometimes called 'conversion oil'.

I have thought about converting the system to the older C6 though, as these were pretty stout.

[mike561]

Hey silicon how about those old A6 compressors? are those more reliable and compatable with 134a?

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by mike561

Hey silicon how about those old A6 compressors? are those more reliable and compatable with 134a?

Sorry, you're right. A6! C6 is a transmission, silly!

Not sure how they work with R134a, but I've seen them used in conversions so I guess they work alright.

[Blt2Lst]

The A6 is a good compressor but is way big.
If your car did not come with one, you will have trouble making it fit.
It will require additional brackets and such to make the pulleys line up.
Stick with the R4 and apply the KISS method here.