A/C Question.

Tasty · 06-30-05, 12:27

My A/C clutch fried today. Pretty sure that's what it was. No cooling at first, then clutch started smoking profusely, but system started to cool. That leads me to believe the compressor is still functional, but the clutch is dead. This is a '95 GMC Sierra with a 350 5.7, R134a system. Since the clutch price is so close to a whole new compressor with clutch I am wondering if it is worth it to just replace the whole compressor, orifice tube, flush out system and recharge. Probably would cool a LOT better if I did that, but I don't know much about A/C system work. I guess the hardest part is evacuating the system and recapturing the stuff that is in there already. With quotes from $700-$1250, this is a project that DIY would save me significant money. Anyone with any experience on this please chime in. I wasn't sure where to post this one, hope hot tub is OK.

EDIT: With the glut of stuff available for just this type of work on JC Whitney, etc. I'm guessing there's not that much science involved.

Accumulator · 06-30-05, 01:28

Maybe I'm just chicken, but no way would I try to do that one myself with stuff from J. C. Whitney (which would then sit around unless you plan to do it as a sideline). I agree with changing the whole compressor and clutch, but I'd just find a shop to do the work. IMO it's not like you'll be doing this so often that you really need to have the equipment and know-how; it's not like bleeding brakes or something like that. If my '95 Caprice had an A/C issue, I'd research it in the FSM and I might get the compressor from my usual parts source, but I'd still pay somebody to do the work (and I'd hold them responsible for it staying fixed

).

And with the weather we're having, I'd just want it fixed with the fewest possible hassles.

Tasty · 06-30-05, 01:36

True, it's hot as heck here, and then they have you over a barrel. Anyway, I think I have decided to have someone diagnose what exactly is wrong, and then I can turn the wrench and replace whatever needs to be replaced after they evacuate the system. I'm not about to part with $1200 when I know damn good and well it doesn't cost near that much to do it. Evacuating the system is about $30 at a local shop, recharging is about the same plus the coolant needed. In between there bolting on a new compressor isn't brain surgery in my truck. I don't mind buying stuff to do it with when it saves substantial amounts of money, even if it collects dust afterward. However, I don't think there is any way I can know for sure what is wrong on my own. Just don't have the experience.

Accumulator · 06-30-05, 03:58

That makes sense, having them do the "tricky" stuff (evac/recharge) and the diagnostics. But if you don't have a factory service manual you oughta get one. A lot of seemingly myterious diagnostic stuff is pretty simple once you have that FSM.

Tasty · 06-30-05, 04:35

I have a Chilton's, and that has worked pretty well for me over the years. I am thinking about buying the Honda service manual for my new CR-V though. Supposed to be very handy.