A/C compressor seized up

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by rank, May 3, 2015.

  1. rank

    rank Road Train Member

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    Well I pulled up to the Thousand Islands toll booth Friday night and I heard a squeal and saw smoke from the front of the hood. Popped the hood and it appears the A/C compressor locked up so I shut everything off but the 4 ways and the headlights and made the 2 hr trip back to the shop without incident. I bought some shorter belts to run just the alternator so I'm good to go. Ideally I would get someone to recover the refridgerant and pull the compressor off but nobody even answers their phone on weekends anymore so that ain't in the cards and I have to be in Woodstock, CT on Monday so.....

    I'd like to pull the compressor off and leave it at the shop for the A/C guy to take but will I screw up the A/C system by leaving the lines unhooked all week?
     
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  3. Ruthless

    Ruthless Road Train Member

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    I pulled mine off and capped the lines with tape real good. Ran shorter belts to alternator in mean time. I swapped mine out (it seized after I heard a bang, head on compressor had a knot on top where the piston slapped it real good and cracked it open) but had to recharge AC system anyway. Put a new expansion valve and dessicant filter at the time as well.

    Short version-idk that you'll be able to keep the refrigerant in the system or not. Let me know if it works-mines been starting to squeal up a bit lately when I come from operating rpm to a stop. Looks like a rebuild/replace in my future.
     
  4. allan5oh

    allan5oh Road Train Member

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    What's the point of taking the compressor off? Just leave it on until all the work needs to be done.
     
    TGUNKEL Thanks this.
  5. baha

    baha Road Train Member

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    Just look or run a Q/tip into lines off comp. an look for grey metal powder from comp. melt/down, if they look clean you may get to just replace comp. dryer, if powder from burnt comp. has run threw all lines and evap. cond. must be flush out with hi $ cleaner or new comp. wont last past 1st trip out.
     
    rank Thanks this.
  6. rank

    rank Road Train Member

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    I was going to leave it with my A/C guy so he can get me another while I'm away but I think I'll just leave it on. If he can't make work with my schedule I'll find someone who can.
     
  7. xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

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    Any dealer or parts house should be able to get you a new compressor using your VIN or the model number off the old one.
    I was told the reason for the vacuum down of the system primarily was to find if it leaked. The dryer ($35 from Freightliner 4 months ago) is suppose to remove any moisture in the system.
    Try not to let any dirt get in the system.
    Ruthless did you tighten your belt?
    Good luck.
     
    rank Thanks this.
  8. passingthru69

    passingthru69 Road Train Member

    When the clutch on mine went bad, I had a short belt to run the Alt. I then was able to get to a hop to fix it later.
    Was a warrrently issue.
     
  9. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    Just leave it on. Compressors are easy to get this time of year. You don't want an a/c system open at all and any kind of seal or cap must be air tight. Better to just leave it all connected for now.
     
    OLDSKOOLERnWV, rank and dca Thank this.
  10. rank

    rank Road Train Member

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    That's what I was wondering. Thanks.
     
  11. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    I would just leave it, it will be replaced as a unit and there are only a couple models that it can be so why contaminate the system.

    Most likely nothing more than a bearing seized up but you never know, and it is an internal problem, have the system completely flushed. AND always replace the dryer ... always.
     
    sshewins and rank Thank this.
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