Best AC compressor to buy

[drhill]

Hi everyone,

I recently bought an 84 Colony Park wagon with the AC not working....I have an R12 tank, so i charged it up a bit and the compressor is knocking loudly...so I'm going to replace it along with the drier and orifice tube and recharge with POE oil (I can't find mineral oil in the stores near me?)

My question is - which AC compressor do you all recommend for these cars? I know new is better than reman. the only new compressor that rockauto sells is a Four Seasons for $265. I have not heard good things about this brand. Autozone sells a reman Compressor Works. On ebay there are cheap reman compressors with 90 warrantys for under $100.

Also - any thoughts on flushing the system? I did this once on a car last year - made a big mess and took a ton of time (i cracked all the connections poured in the flush and used my air compressor and my thumb to "pop" any oil/junk out.)

Thanks!!

[Ike Clanton]

I can't offer any advice on which compressor to buy, but I will say that the factory compressors are pretty damn loud when they first start up. Mine sounds like a gatling gun (as did my previous one) but will freeze your tits off.

[mercurygm88]

Yeah it seems to me the factory compressors do make alot of noise. Mine clatters like crazy when it cycles but you cant feel any vibration in the compressor, so I'm gonna let it go till it locks up. I'll have had the car one year this friday and its been working fine ever since day one.

[drhill]

really...interesting. Mine wasn't completely discharged (still showed like 20-25 psi static pressure) so I put some r12 in it and it was rattleing away like you guys describe. I just assumed it was smoked! If I put my hand on the compressor I can definately feel it...

I'd love to hear some other opinions on this - do all of these compressors rattle? I just don't want to wastle precious r12 if it's dying....

Thanks!!

[mercurygm88]

Mines been converted to r134a, which was one of the easiest things I've ever done. A set of conversion fittings, a $35 vacuum pump from harbor freight, and a few cans of r134a is all you need. Most people will tell you to replace the accumulator/dryer as well but I didnt, and if it all blows up for some reason I'll just fix it again. I know of three local A/C shops that don't pull a vacuum or replace the accumulator they simply recover the r12, and refill with r134a apparently it works one of them did my dads 91 buick roadmaster 10 years ago and the a/c is still colder than hell.

[t65neon5]

personally,i like the motorcraft compressors....but i would buy a new murray also......and i would replace the drier also...they tend to rust out...and loose rust particles in a new compressor WILL void the warranty

[chitownvic]

My Compressor knocks like an SOB but I can care less it still blows snow flakes Ill just wait till it blows up to replace it converted it to R134 a few years a go

[1990LTD]

Mine wasn't loud but the smog pump sure was.

[drhill]

hmmm.debating whether to just see how it goes or do all of the work now. Planning a 4500 miles road trip to the midwest in August with the fam (2.5 yr old and a baby) wife would be unhappy w/o AC....hmmm

[lincolnlarry]

Is the muffler still in the system?

[MattsLincoln]

Mine when cycling makes annoying whine but my ps pump whines like a sob more

[drhill]

Is the muffler still in the system?

I can't find one - I don't think it originally came with one? Did it? None of the replacement hoses have one that I can see...

[BerniniCaCO3]

mine's original, converted to r134a, not loud... maybe there is a "muffler"? Nothing that looks line one. Just all the usual components with lines between them!

[GM_Guy]

Mine when cycling makes annoying whine but my ps pump whines like a sob more

Turkey baster + dexron/mercon. (not type F)
Raise front of car so weights off the front wheels.
Suck out bunch of fluid with turkey baster.
Replace with dexron.
start car and SLOWLY turn wheel left to right a few times. DO NOT hold it against the stops. This will purge air out.
repeat turkey baster routine. refill. repeat until bored or fluid looks consistant.

Alex.

[Piece-it pete]

My 85 had a muffler on the old line. I couldn't find a replacement with one though.

Pete