1998 DX Hatch, 100% stock, Automatic.

Did a ghetto install on a brand new A/C system, new compressor, condenser, condenser fan, dryer, everything. Worked (inefficiently but worked) for weeks without any issue.

It worked but wasn't cooling efficiently so I had it professionally vacuumed twice and a new dryer again and another refill and it was blowing snowballs in the Florida heat but now after 3 days, it won't blow cold, low-side pressure at 91 PSI and my compressor chatters like a b**** when compressor is turned on and engaged.

All this after I had it 'professionally' maintenanced. Did the shop screw up my system? Am I unlucky and had my compressor fail? I'm not too sure what to think of any of this.

TL;DR - compressor chatter, warm air in cabin and low-side high pressure after maintenance in a whole new A/C system in a stock 98 civic hatch.

 

Engine off, can you spin the compressor clutch plate (the part on the front of the pulley that drives the internal compressor) by hand? It should turn rather easily with just a slight once-around hitch. Turn counterclockwise, the way the engine drives it. Scroll compressors do not like to turn backward.

 

Yes, I can spin it easily but it turns easily both ways actually. It won't keep spinning from me flicking it a little but it does a wee bit and takes extremely little effort.

 

Are you talking about the clutch armature plate or the pulley? They are different.

 

Clutch chatter? or the compressor clicking on and off?

 

Probably both, the compressor will chatter if pressure is that high.

It sounds like your expansion valve is bad if you have 91 psi on the low side

 

Gonna need OP to detail this "ghetto" setup.