Oh boy, compressor?

[bluesub]

hey all, new to the chevy forum. long time chevy fan. 55 belair work in progress, 67 pickup restoring, 2001 silverado ext cab, and 2003 suburban.

 

warranty just expired recently. and now of course the a/c in my suburban is acting up. I have read the posts and it looks similar to the comprssor locking up as outlined in the service bulletins. it only has 28,000 on it and I can't believe it coulsd be bad already. when you first start it, it will make some noise( which is from the belt, tensioner vibrating) I can also feel the contact from it hitting the trans lines. at higher rpms it is doing it as well.( only found out revving indriveway not racing around) the idle also seems to be not as smooth like the compressor is pulling it down. never a squeal but I fear that is coming. air blows cold. belt and tensioner seem in good shape.

 

My question is - I was told by a parts supplier that there is a sensor on the comp tht will shut it off if there is too much vibration. true or not?

 

mercedes has that and I have had to replace the tensioner frquently to keep the ac running. but it usually starts and then cuts off right away.

 

If this is not the case is it likely the compressor could be failing already?

 

thanks for any advice.

[carneyman]

I was told by my uncle (a mechanic, so he knows what he is talking about) that if you think the compressor is failing i.e. starts making a rattling kind of noise, then you can buy some stuff called Ice and put it in the line, like you would the a/c fluid, and it could keep it going a while longer. Mine did this and I used some of that Ice and it stopped immediately. You just want to be sure not to overfill the lines. Course it could be something else.

 

I've never heard of that sensor being on there, and have deffinately never seen anything shut of the comp, but again I could be wrong.

[C & A s Dad]

Ice is not a bad product but it is basically a friction reducer that helps the compressor run smoother and will reduce the friction. It is not a miracle in a can but it could prolong your compressors life.

 

I personally like Sub Zero by Quest better than Ice. In the tests that I have seen it is has a slight edge on ICE on failure load in ft lbs.

 

I have used Sub Zero in my Dodge Caravan that I use for work travel and it dropped the temp at the vent 4 degrees.

 

I work for CARQUEST Auto Parts and we sell it. If you have no CQ store, look for anyone who sells QUEST products.

[ChevyTech007]

You need to have the pressures checked. I have seen a bad fan clutch cause extremely high head pressures that cause the compressor to drag.

[bluesub]

thanks for the suggestions. I'm taking it in to the dealer on thurs to get checked out. I guess I'm just furious that I bought a new truck so I could stop wrenching constantly and now just out of warranty a few months and BAM! Honestly I'd rather rebuild the motor tahn even mess with the a/c. thanks again. keep you posted on the damage.