AC Compressor Locked Up

[AThomas7782]

When I was leaving work a week ago this past Friday, I cranked the truck up like normal and let it idle for about 30 seconds. After that, I hear an awful squealing, then see smoke pouring out from under the hood. I even heard crackling like a campfire. I was able to limp out of the covered parking garage and into an adjacent parking lot so roadside assistance could pick it up.

 

Flash forward to last Thursday, the truck is ready to go. The service writer tells me the technician noted that the AC compressor had locked up and contaminated the entire AC system with metal shavings, as well as melted the belt in two. They flushed the entire system and installed a new compressor and belt.

 

Has anyone else had this happen to them with these trucks or any other past GM trucks? And are there things I need to keep an eye on or worry about since something like this happened?

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

It was probably just a freak thing where you happen to just get a bad compressor. I haven't heard of an A/C issue with these trucks. The only thing A/C related I've had to do to any of my trucks (all Chevy full size) was the compressor in my 98 Silverado, but it was just leaking around the seal around the shaft that the pulley bolted to. I just replaced the whole thing since the A/C didn't seem to be that good anyways.

[txhunter21]

Just had mine do this to me this past weekend. Started it up and pulled out of the parking lock and smoke poured out of the hood and i was livid. They said the compressor seized up and burnt up the belts. They didnt say anything about flushing my system, i shut the truck down immediately when I saw smoke. This is the 3rd major problem with my truck and i have less than 30k on it..

[20L8TSierra24]

No AC for me in S Fla = no bueno. Sorry to hear but they got it fixed pretty quickly.

[timstech]

I have done automotive ac work for over 30 years,countless compressors replaced, the majority of these catastrophic failures were from no oil in the compressor from the factory

[thewhitestallion]

i wouldn't worry too much about the a/c, as long as they did it correctly then the a/c will last forever. When a/c compressors take a dump on you, they usually trash the whole system and you have to replace the orifice tube / expansion valve, compressor and dryer / accumulator then obviously vacuum the system and charge it. a/c work is actually very easy, just need to do it once or twice to know what to do.

 

as far as what to look for, I would say nothing. as long as the a/c is blowing cold you should be worry free.

[Spurshot]

"Black Death" is the colloquial name for this. It comes from the black stuff that results in the system. I don't have the experience that Timstech has, but I've done my own A/C work on several vehicles over the past 15 years. It's certainly not unheard of for a compressor to go.

[jamin87ss]

Not a major issue, roll on

[timstech]

"Black Death" is the colloquial name for this. It comes from the black stuff that results in the system. I don't have the experience that Timstech has, but I've done my own A/C work on several vehicles over the past 15 years. It's certainly not unheard of for a compressor to go.

spurshot is correct, " black death" is a result of burnt refrigerant a toxic mixture of phosgene gas and hcl ,very noticeable horrid smell from ac system in ac school we called it MUNG.the ford techs called black death,nasty and acidic

 

That truck will be fine

[Donnie Brown]

Apparently, there is a problem with AC Compressors with the new trucks. Mine locked up at 34k. Still trying to get it fixed the belt is on National Backorder! I do not want to go through this every 30k! I am burning up in the oil field down here in Louisiana! Going to look at trading in next week on a Dodge.

[newdude]

Should have a moderator move this as OP has a 2013 (unless he has more than one truck).

[TxTruckMan]

My 2003 Yukon had the compressor lock up at ~150,000 miles. I think it was fairly common on those years because there was a bulletin about the noise they would make - a loud clicking noise - and then the belt broke. The bearings locked up I think. I hope this doesn't become an issue on these trucks.

[Dnt]

Hey guys if this were to happen to my truck I would insist that the Condenser coil be changed. No amount of flushing will clear all the debris from these GM double pass condensers. You will most likely have future AC problems if the condenser is not changed! Evap and main lines usually flush very well it is the condensers where the problem comes in...Good Luck