Question about replacing an ac compressor - KCSR

maynardDRIVESfast · 2016-05-11, 08:32 PM

My wife's commuter (2008 impreza) had its ac compressor clutch seize up. Unfortunately, you can't just replace the clutch on the Subaru without fabricating your own parts, so i bought a whole reman compressor unit. My question is this: since there was no damage to the internals of the original compressor, do i have to replace the accumulator/drier/orifice tube? Can i get away with just doing the orifice tube itself?

bonecrusher · 2016-05-11, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maynardDRIVESfast

My wife's commuter (2008 impreza) had its ac compressor clutch seize up. Unfortunately, you can't just replace the clutch on the Subaru without fabricating your own parts, so i bought a whole reman compressor unit. My question is this: since there was no damage to the internals of the original compressor, do i have to replace the accumulator/drier/orifice tube? Can i get away with just doing the orifice tube itself?

I think its really hit or miss. We as an insurance company paid to replace a compressor after replacing some of the other components of the cooling/core support and the system had to be opened up to decharge and recharge the system.

The compressor took a dump and let go of metal shavings or something internal and ruined the whole system.

This was on a newer toyota camry (2012 I Think)

snm95ls · 2016-05-11, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maynardDRIVESfast

My wife's commuter (2008 impreza) had its ac compressor clutch seize up. Unfortunately, you can't just replace the clutch on the Subaru without fabricating your own parts, so i bought a whole reman compressor unit. My question is this: since there was no damage to the internals of the original compressor, do i have to replace the accumulator/drier/orifice tube? Can i get away with just doing the orifice tube itself?

If you know for a fact that there was no internal failure on the compressor, then yes you can get away with doing that.

Kind of surprised that a modern Japanese vehicle would use CCOT instead of a TXV though.

**DIYAutoRepair** · 2016-05-11, 09:06 PM

You should be able to get away with just a compressor. To be safe inspect the orifice tube and dryer for any debris. If you see any, replace it and flush the lines and evaporator.

maynardDRIVESfast · 2016-05-11, 09:10 PM

You're right, it has an expansion valve, not a tube. I'm fairly confident there's no internal damage as the clutch bearing had been making noise for awhile. However, i do plan on flushing the system just in case. I've only ever done minor repairs to ac systems, so i just want to make sure i get it right the first time.

bryanwheat · 2016-05-16, 04:07 PM

You can just replace the bearing in the clutch if you have a press for around 30 dollars.

maynardDRIVESfast · 2016-05-29, 08:00 PM

Ok, quick update: I replaced the compressor. It had a label on it stating that it was pre filled with the exact amount of oil this system required. The old stuff was all evacuated first. I put the new refrigerant in and it worked great on the little drive i took. The car sat overnight and most of the next day. I then drove it 30 miles to my parents with the ac going. No problems. Ate bbq at my parents and left a couple hours later.n The clutch was not engaging at this point. I immediately thought that there must be a leak and the low pressure switch was keeping it from engaging, so i stopped at the O'Reillys in their town and grabbed a can with the gauge attached. According to that crappy gauge the pressure was low, so i started to add it. Pressure rose really fast and suddenly there's refrigerant blowing from the front of the compressor ( relief valve?). Any ideas? I haven't pulled the vacuum down again to see if there's a leak yet. Weird thing is it blew ice cold on the trip there. Come out 2 hours later, nothing. Sucks.

snm95ls · 2016-05-29, 08:39 PM

The relief valve is a burst disc on most compressors, so it will have to be replaced if you can find one.

It sounds like maybe the TXV was stuck or you have some other blockage in the system.

That is part of the problem with not using a high side gauge in conjunction with a low side gauge. Looking at one side only tells you part of what is going on in the system.

Is the condenser fan working?

maynardDRIVESfast · 2016-05-29, 09:58 PM

Condenser fan is working. I certainly hope i can exchange the compressor if the relief is a rupture disc. I suspected the expansion valve, was just unsure of the symptoms of a bad one.

2016-05-11, 08:32 PM	#1
maynardDRIVESfast Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wichita Posts: 3,438 Post Thanks / Like Thanks (Given): 40 Thanks (Received): 46 Likes (Given): 69 Likes (Received): 270 Dislikes (Given): 4 Dislikes (Received): 4	Question about replacing an ac compressor My wife's commuter (2008 impreza) had its ac compressor clutch seize up. Unfortunately, you can't just replace the clutch on the Subaru without fabricating your own parts, so i bought a whole reman compressor unit. My question is this: since there was no damage to the internals of the original compressor, do i have to replace the accumulator/drier/orifice tube? Can i get away with just doing the orifice tube itself? __________________ Fun car? What's that?

2016-05-11, 09:06 PM	#4
DIYAutoRepair Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 6,762 Post Thanks / Like Thanks (Given): 26 Thanks (Received): 202 Likes (Given): 74 Likes (Received): 1376 Dislikes (Given): 1 Dislikes (Received): 31	You should be able to get away with just a compressor. To be safe inspect the orifice tube and dryer for any debris. If you see any, replace it and flush the lines and evaporator. __________________ DIY Auto Repair Fully equipped service bay rental by the hour We also offer full service automotive repairs along with paint and bodywork Visit us at http://diyautorepairkc.com/ or call (913) 226-3806 Favorite car from the past (73 Pinto)

2016-05-11, 09:10 PM	#5
maynardDRIVESfast Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wichita Posts: 3,438 Post Thanks / Like Thanks (Given): 40 Thanks (Received): 46 Likes (Given): 69 Likes (Received): 270 Dislikes (Given): 4 Dislikes (Received): 4	You're right, it has an expansion valve, not a tube. I'm fairly confident there's no internal damage as the clutch bearing had been making noise for awhile. However, i do plan on flushing the system just in case. I've only ever done minor repairs to ac systems, so i just want to make sure i get it right the first time. __________________ Fun car? What's that?

2016-05-29, 08:00 PM	#7
maynardDRIVESfast Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wichita Posts: 3,438 Post Thanks / Like Thanks (Given): 40 Thanks (Received): 46 Likes (Given): 69 Likes (Received): 270 Dislikes (Given): 4 Dislikes (Received): 4	Ok, quick update: I replaced the compressor. It had a label on it stating that it was pre filled with the exact amount of oil this system required. The old stuff was all evacuated first. I put the new refrigerant in and it worked great on the little drive i took. The car sat overnight and most of the next day. I then drove it 30 miles to my parents with the ac going. No problems. Ate bbq at my parents and left a couple hours later.n The clutch was not engaging at this point. I immediately thought that there must be a leak and the low pressure switch was keeping it from engaging, so i stopped at the O'Reillys in their town and grabbed a can with the gauge attached. According to that crappy gauge the pressure was low, so i started to add it. Pressure rose really fast and suddenly there's refrigerant blowing from the front of the compressor ( relief valve?). Any ideas? I haven't pulled the vacuum down again to see if there's a leak yet. Weird thing is it blew ice cold on the trip there. Come out 2 hours later, nothing. Sucks. __________________ Fun car? What's that? Last edited by maynardDRIVESfast; 2016-05-29 at 08:11 PM..

2016-05-29, 09:58 PM	#9
maynardDRIVESfast Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wichita Posts: 3,438 Post Thanks / Like Thanks (Given): 40 Thanks (Received): 46 Likes (Given): 69 Likes (Received): 270 Dislikes (Given): 4 Dislikes (Received): 4	Condenser fan is working. I certainly hope i can exchange the compressor if the relief is a rupture disc. I suspected the expansion valve, was just unsure of the symptoms of a bad one. __________________ Fun car? What's that?

2016-05-16, 04:07 PM	#6
bryanwheat Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Columbia Posts: 4,335 Post Thanks / Like Thanks (Given): 1 Thanks (Received): 30 Likes (Given): 14 Likes (Received): 122 Dislikes (Given): 8 Dislikes (Received): 12	You can just replace the bearing in the clutch if you have a press for around 30 dollars.