SO my 03 dak a/c compressor finally kicked out on the hottest week here in cincy over 100 degree days.. i smelled smoke and then air went from cold to warm i shut everything off continued driving..i have since drove it i spoke with local shops they all gave me prices of 800-1200 to fix.. im unemployed so thats out of the question but so here lies the thought ...

Can i deplete my freon or is it worth taking to someone who will just deplete the system or is there a easier way ? Haynes manual doesnt help.. but i could prolly change out the compressor for roughly 300 bucks way cheaper then 1200 my ex dodge dealer is pricing..


ideas >? on getting the freon out ?

Schuey

 

Which do you prefer, legal and "green" or not?

Sure, you could just let the freon out, lots of people do. But, it should be recovered and it can be reused. It does contribute to global warming.

If the compressor failed, you need to discharge the system and flush it completely. I'd replace the accumulator (receiver/dryer), evacuate the system, and then recharge it. Don't forget to add the right amount of oil.

You do need a gauge set and a vacuum pump to do this.

 

Ok this is well not the correct way but if down on money and a job take the low side port cap off use a long Philips screwdriver (STOP first make sure you are wearing safety glasses the good ones that cover your eyes 100%) now depress the valve with the screwdriver do this very slowly or it will gush out that is unless all the Freon is already gone.

What I did was cover the screwdriver with a towel as I depressed the valve why this stuff spits out fast and can spray you with Freon.

After all the Freon is gone you can change out the compressor.

There is more to this but this is a good start.

This is stupid but the new freon the R134A is suposed to be ok for the environment but they still treat it like the old R12 I dont get that at all.

 

Are you sure its the compressor that burned up?

That sounds weird the way it happened sounds more like burned wires?

 

It's better than R12 but much worse than CO2.

1 gram of R134a released has as much warming potential as 1410 grams of CO2.
1 gram of R12 released has as much warming potential as 8500 grams of CO2.

Regardless, it's illegal to discharge a system into the atmosphere. I know, don't shoot the messenger. See Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.

Most of us wouldn't think twice about dumping oil on the ground but we think nothing of putting these chemicals into the air we breath.

 

My understanding is the new Freon they are thinking of switching to is under extreme pressures way surpassing R134a turning your A/C system onto a bomb it’s under so much pressure.

You call that progress making your car dangerous to work on? I think this is insane.

 

Check the electric clutch on the compressor first since you smelled smoke. If it checks out okay you will then need gauges to gain a static pressure on the system. The refrigerant side might be fine. No need to let anything out of the system right now. Gauges will tell what to check next....electrical smell is not related to refrigerant vapor...systematic approach to anything you want to learn...

 

That’s what I say the way you described what happened sounds more like an electrical problem like the clutch or maybe even something in the cab like the A/C controller roached

 

yeah compressor blowq hot air..i did have it checked out by a autoshop they said compressor.. i want to be legal to be honest but i wonder what a dealer will change jhst to mt the tank
and yeah besides compressor i was told to replace some other line ill have to sort out that later.. im having a headliner issue as well and goign to find out price on that or just yank it down.. for the time being..thanks for the replies !

 

Tank? what tank?

First never trust what a shop tells you they may be just guessing at this point until they start working on it.

Second let’s find out what is really going on here get a set of gauges on it.

If not running some things we can try to see what may be going on.

Or take it to an A/C shop for a free evaluation first