a/c had been running only slightly cool air so I took it to an auto shop where I get oil changed. I've been fortunate with my 1996 Blazer, not too many problems over the years (only radiator problem). OK, so they do an a/c service with evacuate and recharge of R-134 and also "added" tracer dye. When I picked it up, the weather was a little cooler so it was hard to tell the success but I thought it was fairly cool. When the weather turned hot a couple of days later and I started to use it, it came out warm air. So, I take it back and they check it and said I needed new compressor, that it showed dye all over the place. I told them I would think about it. When I was leaving the lot, I noticed the air was very hot, not slightly cool as when I first went in. I went back in and he said well, I don't know. My question: is this normal or should I just go get another opinion?

 

I'd get a second opinion. Compressors to go out but I wouldn't spend that kind of money till I knew for sure that it was the compressor. First of all you can't charge the system without the A/C running so if they had done the job the A/C would have to have been working then so I find it hard to believe that the compressor would have gone out so quickly.

 

How handy are you? I just relpaced my a/c compressor seemed to have the same diagnonsis as you did. I got an aftermarket one at advanced auto and it works like new now.

 

Get a second opinion if you have any doubts.

But Yes, you can charge the AC without the unit running if you weigh the charge in the way you are supposed too.

These compressors are a poor design. They have an O-ring that fails very easily. So if this is the original compressor on your truck then you have actually been very lucky!

Good luck!

 

You could try to use some Quest brand Super Seal. It's about $24 for a 3oz bottle at Wal-Mart (cheapest place to get it). It supposedly can stop metal to metal and rubber leaks. Worth a shot IMO. But you also have to use some regular R134a right after using it to make sure it doesn't seal the low pressure valve.

 

I have never had good luck with sealer in my AC. Kinda like snake oil. How does it know which hole to plug and which hole not to plug? If the compressor is leaking around the o-ring, I replace it with the sanden retrofit instead of the original. Better design.

 

When Super Seal comes in contact with air it immediately hardens forming a barrier, and shows where the leak is. Kind of like the blood in your veins clotting when it comes in contact with air. Lot's of people say it works well and lasts for years.

 

Here is the trick question:If someone has not followed good work practices and either replaced components without evecuating the system, or has allowed a leaking system to go into a vaccuum, (Possibly by bypassing the low pressure switch) would the leak sealer react with the air in the system and solidify inside the system?

BTW - Blood doesnt clot when it comes into contact with air. clotting is a fuction of the platelets. If blood were to clot when it came into contact with air, we would have no heart attacks, strokes, deep vein thrombosis or the term "Throw a clot". Unfortunately we would all be dead because our blood would have coagulated in our lungs.

Just thought I would throw that in there. LOL

 

Look around the pulley of the compressor, if they put in freon and dye it will be wet around there. Spend the extra money and get a new NOT rebuilt or remanufactured they are not worth the extra hassle and will fail.

 

Hi all,

I'm in the process of changing the air con compressor in my '99 2dr and wanted to post a warning for anyone who finds themselves in the same predicament. Having just spent several thousand $$ on other repairs I decided to get the cheapest compressor I could find. Did a search on line and found a "Replacement" brand one (PtNo REPC191115) which claimed to be a direct replacement for my car. Long story short, it's not. I'll post the full story in a new thread, but just wanted to post this in a few existing threads so no one gets ripped off like I did.

-Scott