A/C Compressor?

[someday31]

So 2 years ago I put a new compressor (from autozone) in and it has run fine/cold since then. The last few weeks Ive noticed my compressor cycling on/off a bit...now it doesnt run at all. Put a gauge on it and there was zero pressure! So added refrigerant and now the compressor just cycles on/off, wont stay running more than 5 seconds. Pressures are weird...70LS when running and about 60-80 on the HS. I pulled a vacuum...well tried....it wouldnt pull more than 26-. Once the vacuum was off pressure went to zero within seconds. Once filled up with some refrigerant I drove about 25 miles and it was completely empty then.
So is my compressor shot? Wheres my leak though...used a "sniffer" around the compressor and didnt see anything....also put uv dye and dont see anything. I peaked in the Evap core and looks dry.
Pulled orifice tube and did find some gray particles but not a lot....

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by someday31

So 2 years ago I put a new compressor (from autozone) in and it has run fine/cold since then. The last few weeks Ive noticed my compressor cycling on/off a bit...now it doesnt run at all. Put a gauge on it and there was zero pressure! So added refrigerant and now the compressor just cycles on/off, wont stay running more than 5 seconds. Pressures are weird...70LS when running and about 60-80 on the HS. I pulled a vacuum...well tried....it wouldnt pull more than 26-. Once the vacuum was off pressure went to zero within seconds. Once filled up with some refrigerant I drove about 25 miles and it was completely empty then.
So is my compressor shot? Wheres my leak though...used a "sniffer" around the compressor and didnt see anything....also put uv dye and dont see anything. I peaked in the Evap core and looks dry.
Pulled orifice tube and did find some gray particles but not a lot....

Put it back together and recharge with oil and R134a and leak dye.
Then go over the compete system.
All hoses and compressor and condenser and evaporator and dryer with sniffer and leak dye light.
Also look for oily spots.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by someday31

So 2 years ago I put a new compressor (from autozone) in and it has run fine/cold since then. The last few weeks Ive noticed my compressor cycling on/off a bit...now it doesnt run at all. Put a gauge on it and there was zero pressure! So added refrigerant and now the compressor just cycles on/off, wont stay running more than 5 seconds. Pressures are weird...70LS when running and about 60-80 on the HS. I pulled a vacuum...well tried....it wouldnt pull more than 26-. Once the vacuum was off pressure went to zero within seconds. Once filled up with some refrigerant I drove about 25 miles and it was completely empty then.
So is my compressor shot? Wheres my leak though...used a "sniffer" around the compressor and didnt see anything....also put uv dye and dont see anything. I peaked in the Evap core and looks dry.
Pulled orifice tube and did find some gray particles but not a lot....

when I do this repair this is how it goes . the system is cleaned with cleaner. then blown out with an air compressor until all gray material is gone. the seals ,orifice . and filter dryer are replaced.

then I vacuum the system and check for leaks. when installing the PAG 150 oil I at this time use leak detector.

the leak if you suddenly lost cooling is most likely the condenser got hit with a rock . could be the high/low ac pressure ports are leaking. especially the high side.

need a black light with the leak detector but since you have a big leak it should not be that hard. with your vehicle I would use nitrogen pressure of about 120 psi and then spray down the ac components looking for bubbles.

[Tech II]

I agree....find the leak.....just add 134a, so you have a static pressure of 70psi on both sides,,,,,then spray a soap solution, everywhere externally.....if nothing it has to be the evaporator...

[someday31]

Originally Posted by Tech II

I agree....find the leak.....just add 134a, so you have a static pressure of 70psi on both sides,,,,,then spray a soap solution, everywhere externally.....if nothing it has to be the evaporator...

So I filled it again with some more dye and refrigerant. I determined the leak is the compressor, in front of the clutch. It leaks so much that within literally 5-8 minutes the compressor loses so much refrigerant it stops coming on and ultimately pressure is zero!
Can someone confirm a part number for me, the genuine GM part#...its a 03 1500 5.3. is it 89024882 / 15-20940? Im definitely not buying an autozone cheapo again.

[MT-2500]

Was the AZ compressor rebuilt or brand new?
Is there any warranty left on it?

I do not see a year make or model or engine or VIN no.

Go to your local parts place and see if they have a brand new not rebuilt compressor or check with your local dealer with your Vin no.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by someday31

So I filled it again with some more dye and refrigerant. I determined the leak is the compressor, in front of the clutch. It leaks so much that within literally 5-8 minutes the compressor loses so much refrigerant it stops coming on and ultimately pressure is zero!
Can someone confirm a part number for me, the genuine GM part#...its a 03 1500 5.3. is it 89024882 / 15-20940? Im definitely not buying an autozone cheapo again.

if you have a receipt or they may have your transaction with your telephone # see if they will take care of this they are usually good about these things . where the shaft seal was defective that would not be something you did wrong.

now if the internal valves got damaged because the system was not cleaned properly that would be a problem .

[someday31]

Originally Posted by j cAT

if you have a receipt or they may have your transaction with your telephone # see if they will take care of this they are usually good about these things . where the shaft seal was defective that would not be something you did wrong.

now if the internal valves got damaged because the system was not cleaned properly that would be a problem .

Do you guys think this a "real" condenser? Looks like a good price for a close to OE condenser. Im going to change the condensor since its an 03 with 165k miles on it. Just dont want something thats junk. Is AC Delco the same as what the truck came with?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ACDELCO-OE-S...d772e1&vxp=mtr

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by someday31

Do you guys think this a "real" condenser? Looks like a good price for a close to OE condenser. Im going to change the condensor since its an 03 with 165k miles on it. Just dont want something thats junk. Is AC Delco the same as what the truck came with?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ACDELCO-OE-S...d772e1&vxp=mtr

so the condenser has a leak ? I thought you had a bad compressor seal ?

[someday31]

Originally Posted by j cAT

so the condenser has a leak ? I thought you had a bad compressor seal ?

The condenser doesnt leak...just figured with the mileage and age and to ensure a clean system I would replace it.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by someday31

The condenser doesnt leak...just figured with the mileage and age and to ensure a clean system I would replace it.

no that is not necessary. a waste of you money.

I would buy an air compressor rather that get a new condenser . then after you use the flush blow out the ac system components.

since the seal blew out the system should be pretty clean. now if you had a compressor failure , that was with a seizing condition you would need to be very though with the flushing and blow out of the system for metaL that will damage the compressor and get caught in the orifice. the filter dry still should be replaced with the compressor replacing .

[someday31]

Originally Posted by j cAT

no that is not necessary. a waste of you money.

I would buy an air compressor rather that get a new condenser . then after you use the flush blow out the ac system components.

since the seal blew out the system should be pretty clean. now if you had a compressor failure , that was with a seizing condition you would need to be very though with the flushing and blow out of the system for metaL that will damage the compressor and get caught in the orifice. the filter dry still should be replaced with the compressor replacing .

So all done....new condenser, flush the system, new dryer, orifice tube. Put a Denso/AC Delco compressor in. Pulled a vacuum for 2 hrs.
Only issue that occurred was when I filled the system with refrigerant my scale was messed up at the end. The digital display got funky.
My truck calls for 1.6lbs. My starting weight/tank shows 33 05.50 (my scale shows first 2 digits as lbs and last 4 as ounces. So to me my ending weight should be 31 45.50. My scale got funky and I couldnt read it perfectly, see attached. Did I add enough/too much? After all this work I want the right amt of refrigerant in it.

[someday31]

Originally Posted by someday31

So all done....new condenser, flush the system, new dryer, orifice tube. Put a Denso/AC Delco compressor in. Pulled a vacuum for 2 hrs.
Only issue that occurred was when I filled the system with refrigerant my scale was messed up at the end. The digital display got funky.
My truck calls for 1.6lbs. My starting weight/tank shows 33 05.50 (my scale shows first 2 digits as lbs and last 4 as ounces. So to me my ending weight should be 31 45.50. My scale got funky and I couldnt read it perfectly, see attached. Did I add enough/too much? After all this work I want the right amt of refrigerant in it.

Cant get the photo to upload , anyways looks like the ending weight is 31 05.0

[someday31]

Originally Posted by someday31

Cant get the photo to upload , anyways looks like the ending weight is 31 05.0

So I guess I put 2lbs in instead of 1.6.....should I let some out...start over?

[rkvons]

I would put gauges on it and see if the high and low side pressures are within their acceptable range, based on ambient temperature. If too high, some needs to come out. If not, I'd let it ride.