On a hunch I put a new belt on my 20 year old ac compressor and hit the switch. *shock* I had cold air but only at higher rpms. Well that lasted all of 3 days until I heard the compressor clutch grind to a halt. Well the clutch was 204$, a compressor (with clutch) was 207$, the entire kit to include compressor, evaporator, valve, freon, flush fluid, oil, etc was 313$. So I got the entire kit and will be putting it in tonight so that tomorrow I can have ac on the way from the lake.

Wish me luck!!

 

Awesome. A/C is the greatest thing they ever decided to put in vehicles IMO. I love a good working A/C system. Where did you get this kit from? Is it R134a? Do you have a vacuum to suck all the air out of the system before you charge it?

 

134a, off the shelf at the local Napa.

I do not have a vacuum pump anymore but was told that I wouldn't need one as long as I used the flushing fluid that came in the kit. I was told that unless we were in a crazy humid environment that there isn't enough moisture in 4 feet of line to make a difference. I know on homes you have to evac the system but in that case we're talking about upwards of 50 feet of 1 1/8" and 3/4" lines.

Should I be concerned.

 

I'm not so sure about that information. AFAIK a vac is ALWAYS necessary before recharging a refrigeration system, regardless of the size. They still do it on the all-in-one units and those have very short lines.

Does the kit include a new drier?

 

http://www.rparts.com/Catalog/Tools_...cuum_pumps.asp

 

Good read there. I'll have to look into a pump but it'll have to be a rental since I'm not going to spend 400$ on a pump that I'll use once.

Thanks for the help!

 

lol yeah those pumps are super expensive. I bought mine in a kit with the manifold gauge set for less than $100. I've used it so much it's more than paid for itself. Mine runs off an air compressor though so you need a good sized compressor to run it for ~15 minutes.

 

Well that was a bust. I got started on the tear down and decided to look at the new compressor to be sure it was right and guess what? It wasn't.

I took the entire kit back and ordered a new clutch and will just replace mine and run it until it dies.

So do I have to use a puller to get the old clutch off?

 

this sounds like a lot of work...take the top off...sheesh.

 

Ha........ha........ha. This from the guy who has never taken the top off his runner.

Just kidding.

It seems that everytime we want to go camping or fishing we get rained on. Even with the bikini top on we get soaked if we stop for any length of time. So I decided that the bikini top had to come off and go into storage (probably up for sale) and the hard top had to go back on, with that in mind I need AC.

So there.







On a good note I just got done installing a set of SR5 seats from a 93 runner. Those things are freaking comfy!!!!!

 

I've never replaced just the clutch. If it's only a couple dollars more for the compressor, why not just get the entire thing with the clutch?

As for taking the top off and not worrying about A/C.....must be nice to live in an area that doesn't require A/C. We have a "severe weather alert" because it's so hot here. I don't care how much airflow you have, it doesn't do anything when the air is 120*+.
http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/USAZ0116_f.html

 

Ouch, I'll be quiet now....

lol!

Really, dude, it sounds like you need to score a used soft top! Total coverage when you need it, but you can roll the sides and back up! Geez, even I have one of those!!!! One of these days I'll repair it and put it on...right after I get the rest of my mod/repairs/fixes done...<sigh>

 

This time of year I use the AC eeven with the bikini top...

Robb

 

I had the same problem on my 94, but since I'm sans removable top... I hate to bite the bullet and get my compressor replaced. I just got it out of the shop two days ago. At least my mechanic is the man. I'd be happy to recommend him to anyone in the Los Angeles area.

 

Well, if the clutch burned up... likely the compressor is on it's way out too. I mean it worked then "BAM" went out? Compressor started seizing and the clutch did its job and let things slip.
And only 3-4 dollars difference between the clutch and compressor with clutch? Unless the clutch puller cost less than 3-4 dollars and you think your time is worthless, that's a no-brainer decision... well, save for having to replacing the refrigerant you're going to loose when you replace the compressor.