A/C work

wessock · Post by **wessock** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:17 pm

2000 1.6 Lanos A/T

I think my A/C compressor went last night, but I'm not sure, so I have three questions really.

1. Not including the cost of the compressor itself, about how much should a mechanic charge to put a new one in and vacuum/charge the system?

2. How easy is it for an amateur to take out the old one and install a new one with your average set of tools? Not talking about evac/charging the system. Also around how much time would it take?

3. I haven't had a chance to poke around yet so I'm not sure it is the compressor yet, too hot outside right now. On my 45 mile highway drive home yesterday, the A/C was working great as it has been. Then suddenly I drove into a thunderstorm a few miles from home. A few minutes after driving into the storm, I noticed the A/C wasn't working as great sporadically, fogging up the windshield on and off from the humidity from the rain. When I slowed down to get off of the highway, I noticed that when it wasn't working so great I could hear squeaking, kind of like a loose belt. When I'd rev the engine a little the squeaking would stop suddenly and the A/C got cold again. I was thinking that the belt was just old and had gotten loose and the water from the rain had made it slip. This morning I start the car and the A/C works like normal for a few mins, then I hear the squeaking again for a few seconds and then nothing. The A/C went hot and hasn't worked since. The light still comes on with the button control, I still hear the clutch click when I turn the A/C on and off. I couldn't really see if the belt was still on without a flashlight but it might have snapped. Of course, maybe the compressor was in the middle of seizing and that's why it was making the belt squeal too. Would I still hear the clutch click if (A) the belt snapped, or (B) the compressor was seized?

Thanks

mikedudley17 · Post by **mikedudley17** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:35 pm

i think it would be best left to a professional to change your compressor as you have refrigerant lines and such to deal with. have you checked your refrigerant level? you may have a leak which introduced air into the system, hence the sporadicness of it, and then it eventually all ran out on you. but im not a mechanic or an HVAC expert so i cant really tell you for sure.

daewoomofo · Post by **daewoomofo** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:52 pm

it sounds like you just need a new belt. but if it is your compressor its a easy change. ive done it, should only take a afternoon if you work really slow lol

wessock · Post by **wessock** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 1:39 am

Well, for now it looks like the pressure is just a little low. Went out tonight after it cooled down, started the car and turned on the A/C, and out came cold air. It was squeaking a little though but I can't tell if it's the belt or the compressor itself. Tested the low side with a cheap little DIY charging can gauge I had laying around and it was at about 33-34psi. Looks like it's right at the cut-off point so I guess the safety switch was stopping the clutch from staying engaged sometimes? Couldn't really get to it but the belt is there, but does look like it's a little loose. Hopefully that's the squeaking. What's the easiest way to tighten the belt? It looks hard to get to from the top. I haven't gotten under the car yet to look, but is there pretty good access without taking half the car apart?

If it does need a new compressor I think I could manage it as long as there aren't any surprises. I've learned this car has many hidden surprises in seemingly easy looking jobs though. A couple of years ago I fumbled my way through putting in a new condenser and drier with no major problems (mechanic OK'ed it when he vacuumed/charged it anyway) so the compressor seems do-able.

daewoomofo · Post by **daewoomofo** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 3:36 am

the belt tonsioner is easly accesable from underneith. if its squealing its the belt. get a new one and ill bet all of your problems will go away

Big Jeff · Post by **Big Jeff** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 3:53 pm

daewoomofo wrote:the belt tonsioner is easly accesable from underneith. if its squealing its the belt. get a new one and ill bet all of your problems will go away

i have change my belt very easy to do

Spider · Post by **Spider** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:57 pm

Big Jeff wrote:
d/aewoomofo wrote:the belt tonsioner is easly accesable from underneith. if its squealing its the belt. get a new one and ill bet all of your problems will go away
i have change my belt very easy to do

a big "PLUS 1" to the above.
As i recall, you need to remove a couple of those under fender plastic splash-shields than you can adjust the old belt or replace it with a new one.
Remember "Any new belt will need re-adjustment after 15 minutes of use"
Or you can tension it tight on install and that will allow for run in.

p.s. these compressors are built to last. Mine has 130K (US miles) on it and still pumps out icey cold air.
Gets a work out every summer as we have already had over two months of 100+ degrees f. around here.

BosnianLanos · Post by **BosnianLanos** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:31 pm

It's very VERY rare that a compressor would die. They're pretty "dumb" pieces of machinery with only a few moving parts. The compressor wouldn't squeal. It would grind. My bet is that your belt was loose or worn to begin with, got hit with a splash of water which loosened it further, and that's when your troubles began.

Take off your passenger side tire, take off the plastic splash guard that protects the engine, there you'll see the AC compressor and belt. If it's gone, go out and buy a new one ($15 maybe), if it's there, check the tension by pushing on the belt. There shouldn't be much give, less than .5 inch. If it's loose, turn the (12mm, I think) bolt on the tensioner (there's only one, facing the ground) until the belt is tight.

But even if you have a bad belt or seized compressor, you would still hear the clutch.

wessock · Post by **wessock** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:33 am

Well thanks to everybody who helped. It was just the belt. It was so loose I don't know how it was powering the a/c at all. I think that's the only reason it never actually broke because the belt is just crumbling it's so worn. And the car is silent now too, not a peep. Hasn't been this quiet in quite a while. The best part is the belt only cost $7 at Autozone and I didn't even have to jack up the car or anything. Just took off the plastic A/C guard and had plenty of room, no need to take the wheel off.

drjdup · Post by **drjdup** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:37 am

How do you adjust the tensioner? I unscrewed the long bolt (facing the ground) all the way out and the pulley doesn't seem to want to move!? Do I need to loosen the bolt on the pulley itself?

drjdup · Post by **drjdup** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 4:20 am

uuuuuuuhh... never mind! I'm a dork! I just popped the pulley bolt... had to muscle it a bit!

BosnianLanos · Post by **BosnianLanos** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:08 pm

Tightening the bolt will tighten the belt, loosening the bolt will loosen the belt.

Did everything look to be in good condition?

drjdup · Post by **drjdup** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 4:46 pm

Yeah everything was is good condition... the tensioner pulley spins freely... I did have some oil on the compressor so I need to figure out what the cause of that is... but the A/C is blowing colder than ever!