Remanufactured AC Compressors

[zacharycrowe89]

I wanted to share my horror story about re-manufactured air conditioning compressors. I wanted to get my air conditioning back to 100 percent again, which needed to start with a new compressor, because the original one was loud and it put a load on the engine when it was functioning. I found a "remanufactured" compressor on the internet that was less than 100 dollars and it had a warranty, so I ordered it, along with a new dryer/receiver, and expansion valve. I had my local mechanic do all the work, vacuum and clean out the system, install the new parts, load with oil and R12. When I picked up the car, the AC worked, and it was quiet, for about the ride home (5 minutes). I got home, opened the hood and the compressor sounded almost like the original 22 year old one. After one more drive around my neighborhood with a few higher-throttle starts, it nolonger chilled the air at idle speed, and it was really noisy. I figured I would take it back the next morning to have them look at it, and on my way there, it locked up and left me on the side of the road. It sounded like an explosion in the engine compartment, the engine shut off, and I had to coast off the road and stop. I turned the AC off to disengage the clutch on the compressor and the engine restarted fine. My mechanic told me when I got there that these remanufactured compressors sometimes have been know to have catastrophic failure (black death) within 10 minutes of running time. The company I got it from had no trouble refunding my money, which I used plus some more to purchase another unit from a different store. My mechanic did all the work again, and this time this compressor seemed to be okay. I parked the car over the weekend and by Monday all of the freon had leaked out from one of the front bolts on the compressor housing. (The second compressor I have gone through). The company then sent me yet another unit (3rd compressor in 2 weeks) and I had a different mechanic clean out the system, replace the parts and compressor and recharge. This 3rd compressor is still working to this day (about 2.5 months) but it is noisier than I would like and it vibrates while running.

I don't know what luck other people have had with remanufactured AC compressors, but mine has been awful. I have spent more than 1k on all of this, to still have a noisy compressor that makes me worry it will eventually lock up like the first one. When money is more plentiful, I am going to completely rebuild the AC system with NEW parts all around, and a genuine NEW compressor. The condenser and all of the lines will be replaced too with new parts. Has anyone else had this much trouble with air conditioning? Thanks for reading! 1988 Lincoln Town Car Signature Series

[gabegt90]

I know scott put a new remain compressor in the townie he does not have any problems.
I'm still on my original compressor knock on wood works great

[86GmLsCoupe]

I have an entirely new ac system now (lines, evaporator core, orifice tube, accumulator, condensor, compressor, and clutch switch). It took about 2 years of messing around with the wot relay and it's messed up wiring on mine to finally realize that it was the clutch cycling switch (wich passed the paperclip test) causing the the relay to energize and kill power to the copressor. The other issues I had were the gauges showed a decent leak which I dye tested and couldn't find, and the brand new Mastercool recovery unit kept shutting off while trying to draw the system down. My Dad ended up putting the old fridge compressor bottle we've always used on for a bit, charged the system and it's been holding about 2 months now. My temp varies from 44 while driving to 50's at a red light and the compressor is loud as hell and bogs the engine down some but it works and I really can't complain, especially when it's hot and ridiculously humid out.

That said, my car was retrofitted in the 90's so this would be the car's third compressor. The ac after the conversion was weak only lasted a few years, probably because they just adjusted the old switch and the hoses didn't have that barrier in them. About 4 years ago the compressor locked up and shredded the belt which is when I got into fixing it this last time. On a side note, the compressor in my friend's Mark VII is very quiet, not an FS6 though.

[gadget73]

I replaced the used junkyard compressor with a cheap eBay purchased Four Seasons unit about 2 years ago. No problems so far, though I am seeing what might be a slight front shaft seal leak on the compressor. It hasn't needed to be recharged, but I see some oil in the threads on the clutch. Its not making noises, and its not as god awful loud as the used old compressor is though.

From what I gather, the compressor used on the 89+ is supposed to be a better design. Retrofitting it wouldn't be all that big a deal, but it does require different lines.

[86GmLsCoupe]

All the stuff I have is Four Seasons except the condensor. My Dad likes their products and thats pretty much all we use. I'm not really sure why mine is so loud, or whether it's in the normal range. I do think it may be low on oil. It was filled with oil once but then the freon was recovered and the system was drawn down before the last charge so perhaps that could be a reason or do you only fill it once?

[91waggin]

Fuck all that noise. I bought a new Motorcraft compressor through rockauto and it's quiet as a mouse. Made by Denso. They have them listed for the 91, and a different style listed for an 86 I just looked up. Kind of spendy, but hopefully it will last as long as my original one did.