A/C compressor seized up

Flushing is a 50-50 gamble on modern a/c systems. Metal can embed in the inner wall of hoses and flushing may not get it out, but it may work loose later causing more downtime/money. Also, the newer parallel flow condensors are impossible to flush period. The old tube/fin style, yes, but these new ones have very small orifices and you just throw it away if their is metal contamination. A/C systems are under-repaired due to old habits and failure to find the root cause. Same can be said for oil balancing a system when replacing components. If the technician looks at you funny when mentioning any of this, go down the road. I've seen guys refuse to spend the money to get it repaired correctly and in the end they usually spend more in downtime and continued patching than if it had been repaired correctly the first time.

 

I would not want to recover that freon. Compressor failure can contaminate the freon with mirco fragments of metal.. Why risk it for 60$ in freon.

 

You can order a new compressor for about 110 from oreilly. Just tell them it's for a 78 ford f250 and has rotolock fittings unless yours has been updated. Sounds like you have a bad pressure switch and didn't cut compressor off so it built too much pressure. You can go to reddot .com and find which clutch part number you need for your engine configuration and also trinary switch, thermal, and give that number to local auto parts store they can get you what you need. Vacuum it down and start with new freon and oil.

 

That is why the recovery system has filters. So what are you going to do with the freon? Let it vent? You must not have certification.

 

I'm glad you said that. I was going also going to say it is illegal to just let it go into the atmosphere, but too many goof balls out there and I'm not wasting my time arguing.

 

I really doesn't matter either way. Because to fix it right it's gonna need a vacuum pulled on it an new expansion valves when you put the new compressor on anyway.

 

My ac compressor seized up on me last week and I thought I was dead in the water but I called my mechanic And he told me to disconnect the power to the compressor if the wheel or grove pulleys were still free. Mine were so I was able to get home where I replaced it. He also told me that if the pulleys were locked up I could take some string and get a measurement on what size belt or belts would be the right size to bypass the ac compressor and just go around the shaft and alternator. My system is a 2 groove system which means there are 2 belts side by side and mine also goes around the compressor and the alternator.

 

If I only had a nickel for everytime I typed out a response either here or Facebook and then deleted it..

 

134 has no restrictions on recovery. R12 is a different matter. The tree huggers never have figured out it will all be in the atmosphere eventually.

 

1. Can I vent HFC-134a refrigerant?
   It is illegal under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act to knowingly vent substitute refrigerants during any service, maintenance, repair or disposal of an appliance .
   
   
   

This information is from EPA website. You must not be certified either.