Ticking AC Compressor - not ticking anymore...

jBlaze3000 · July 17, 2012

2000 Suburban 1500 LT purchased 6 weeks ago. AC compressor had a tick to it (sounded like a lifter) but the AC still worked. Was hoping I could get through this summer without having to replace it but no such luck. AC went out yesterday in 100 degree heat.

First thing I did was check the pressure - there was none (gauge read zero). Crawled under the vehicle to get a better look at the compressor and saw what happened right away - the high pressure switch on the compressor had litereally blown right off the compressor. The electrical connector was just hanging there with half a switch connected to it.

My guess is the previous owner overcharged the system with one of those re-fill cans and due to the hot weather yesterday the compressor finally hit its breaking point.

I've replaced AC compressors before but I plan on keeping this truck for a while so I want to do this the right way. My plan is to do the following:

Replace Compressor

Replace Orifice Tube

Replace Drier

Replace Expansion Valve

Take to shop to have them pull a vacuum then re-charge

Looking to verification that this is a thorough enough overhaul based on what happened, or better suggestions.

Thanks.

nGAbear · July 17, 2012

That's exactly what I did yesterday on my 01.

I'm ice-cold now.

Not too bad of a job either, banged it out in 3.75 hours plus vacuum and recharge.

jBlaze3000 · July 17, 2012

That's exactly what I did yesterday on my 01.

I'm ice-cold now.

Not too bad of a job either, banged it out in 3.75 hours plus vacuum and recharge.

Did you take it to a shop for the vacuum/recharge? What did you pay for the components?

nickvrebel · July 17, 2012

sounds like a good plan. pulling the vacuum isn't practical for the average guy in his home shop, but everything else you have listed should take care of any maintenance issues. When they pull the vacuum they should also be able to identify any major leaks.

nGAbear · July 17, 2012

compressor $255

orifice tube $10 (I bought a box of them by accident, Denso #4754102. If they will work for you send me a self addressed and stamped padded envelope and I will give one to you)

Drier/Accumulator $35

Took it to a place that discharged the system and let me take it back home to do my work. Took it back to them yesterday afternoon and they vacuumed it and recharged all 3#'s of freon (they also put dye in it to check for leaks). They did that for $140 out the door.

00Silverado4x4 · July 17, 2012

Sounds like you got a deal. The vacuum part is the only part I can't do in my garage as well. Plus I'd rather leave that to the pros anyway.

nGAbear · July 17, 2012

Yes sir, that's how I feel about the pricing.

One thing I did do to make my life easier with the removal/install of the compressors was to take my fan out. It made all the difference for me.

jBlaze3000 · July 17, 2012

Yes sir, that's how I feel about the pricing.

One thing I did do to make my life easier with the removal/install of the compressors was to take my fan out. It made all the difference for me.

Was there a pressure switch mounted on the back side of your compressor (opposite of the clutch side)? If so did your new unit have that installed already?

Also, did your truck have a separate condensor fan? The one issue I was having when the AC was working was that it was not nearly as cold when idling. The most comon solution I heard to this was to check the condensor fan, but I don't think my Suburban has one (nor do I see it listed as a part for my vehicle on rockauto).

nGAbear · July 17, 2012

My truck doesn't have a seperate condensor fan, no.

On the opposite side of the clutch on my compressor was an electrical connector, don't think there was a pressure switch.

jBlaze3000 · July 18, 2012

My truck doesn't have a seperate condensor fan, no.

On the opposite side of the clutch on my compressor was an electrical connector, don't think there was a pressure switch.

Where is the orifice tube and how did you get at it? Took a look at my truck last night and couldn't find it.

00Silverado4x4 · July 18, 2012

I'm not entirely sure, except it's "inline" type so it won't be a seperate house like your accumulator/dryer. If I were take a "guess" it in the tube between the two service ports but that could be entirely wrong.

nGAbear · July 19, 2012

Here you go. In the following pics you'll see the two nuts on the line. Hold the one closest to you still and loosen the one in the rear. (that sentence just sounds wrong)

Once separated, you'll find the tube in the line closest to you. Use a pair of needle-nose to pull it out.

The last pic shows what it looks like.

Sent using Tapatalk 2

jBlaze3000 · July 21, 2012

Thanks for the info. Didn't realize that the orifice tube was in there. I got everything replaced and the truck is at the shop right now getting charged. Took about 4 hours for everything (you gotta work in some pretty tight spaces to get that compressor out).

nGAbear · July 21, 2012

Congratulations. Your right, it is a tight fit down there. Did you remove the fan to get the compressor out? I had to, i'm not even sure how to get it out without removing the fan.

Hope it cools well for you.