I recently installed the AC compressor. I started the car, turned AC on high, hooked up AC pro with gauge. As soon as I opened can, the compressor kicked on. Problem is, it only would take about half the small can, the pressure pegged at max, and never blew any cold air. Anyone have thoughts as to why, or what I could do?

 

A/C work requires real and often times expensive equipment. At the bare minimum you should have a set of manifold gauges and an electric vacuum pump. Even better if you get a refrigerant cylinder and a scale so you're not guessing your charge. Anything from walmart is typically referred to as a "death kit". Those gauges on those A/C pro kits mean nothing since you're not monitoring the high side while charging. They also often contain leak sealers that can clog things up and actually inhibit performance.

Why was the compressor changed? Are your cooling fans on? How did you charge? Did you replace anything else or add oil?

I'm going to guess here that the system was not properly evacuated and recharged--correct me if I'm wrong. This means you have non-condensible air and water in the system which would make the pressures skyrocket, and it would refuse to take the proper charge or cool at all.

It would be best to take it to a professional shop for a vacuum and refill if you don't have the equipment, and tell them exactly what you added or replaced. With a proper charge by weight they can see what else might be going on.

 

The compressor needed replacing because it starting seizing up and burning belts. I couldn't afford a new one last year, so I decided to buy a shorter belt and not use compressor pulley. When installing the new compressor I added Pag oil. Different websites had different amounts to add, so I went with 3 ounces. I hope not to much. I'm sure your right about everything you said, and I need to have a pro evac the system properly, and charge it. I'm cheap though!! Thank you.

 

Don't be surprised if they quote you for a new receiver drier, condenser, evaporator/expansion block, and lines flushed. That's what I would have done if I owned the car. Unless it was the clutch itself seizing, the compressor may have sent metal particles throughout the system. The evaporator and condenser designs do not allow for flushing so they must be replaced. Amazon has had the cheapest parts in my experience. I just rebuilt my buddy's 02 Civic A/C unit for about 300 minus compressor. (Not including beer and cuss words)

5oz is usually the total system oil capacity, so you may run into an issue with too much oil (Possible compressor slugging, poor cooling, and higher than normal pressures). A/C systems these days are sensitive to near exact oil and refrigerant content.

Keep your head up though. Just like cooking, A/C work takes the right ingredients or it messes up entirely. A/C units also tend to destroy more than one part at a time, so for example not replacing the receiver drier (which is basically a filter) can result in poor cooling from the moisture it's absorbed when open, which will also turn most PAG oils into an acid over time. It all snowballs.

 

IF YOU DIDN'T EVAC THE SYSTEM FIRST, THAT'S THE PROBLEM! AND IT'S A BIG PROBLEM!!!!

You can rust your system from the inside out! Plus outside air takes up a lot of the space the freon normally would! vacuum the system ASAP!

 

I need to pull my compressor and I know I should replace my evaporator but don't have time. What is the fastest way to get the compressor out?

 

you rarely need to replace the evaporator and it's a bit of work to get to it

you might be talking about the condenser since the condenser has to be replaced when the compressor explodes

 

Take the alternator off, pull compressor out of the top.