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AC Help needed

M

mjacob

New member
I put on a new compressor on my 97 Grand Prix a while back and I think I have a leak allowing the free on to be leaking out. It is a slow leak. The compressor will no longer engage, so I am needing to re fill it. I hooked up the gauges and yes it was low. I hooked the blue line to the low side, the big line back by the firewall. Hooked the yellow line to the can and opened the valve. Turned the AC on max, opened all the valves and even cracked the yellow line a little bit to get the outside air out then shut it. The can was hooked up for 20 minutes-I was shaking it like instructed and it never emptied and the compressor never kicked on. It acts like it is not drawing the free on out of the can into the line. I read somewhere that putting the can in a pale of warm water will force it into the line to engage the compressor. I am stumped and any help would be appreciated. Also, how many pounds should the blue guage read when fully charged? The parts store guys told me it holds 36oz when it is completely empty.

Thanks
 


I'm hoping you replaced the accumulator and orifice tube when you did the compressor replacement, it's just usually a good idea. And flush the whole system then have it vacuumed and filled. Take it to a shop and have them put a vacuum on it, it should find the leak. Also did you buy a remanufactured compressor?
 
Not sure if it was reman or new-came from autozone. I put it on, tightened the lines very tight to the back of the new compressor with new o ring seals. Took it to the dealership, they vaccumed for 30 minutes or so, said it held good preasure, then filled with the correct amount of free on. Worked great for about two months, now it will not engage at all. I find it kind of strange.
 
Well check with Autozone to see if it was remanufactured or look at the receipt if you still have it. Remans are notorious for failing, I had the same problem with mine after a few months with a reman compressor. It would only kick on once i got the RPMs over 3200. It had plenty of refrigerant also. I would just check that out, you only have a three month warranty on it from Autozone. If that is the problem take it back and get your money back. Then go to Advanced Auto Parts and get a new one along with the replacement orifice tube and accumulator and it comes with a two year warranty. When you also buy the orifice tube and accumulator which all together is only about $27. Let me know what you find out.
 
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