A/C compressor worth replacing?

[LoafFace]

Because the compressor starts clicking is it worth replacing it or does it just start clicking again almost instantly? Also what are some good ways to reduce it clicking? cause it makes the car sound unhealthy and I'm a bit of a snood when it comes to these sort of things.

[lancerdarryl]

The clicking noise would be the clutch engaging and disengaging which is quite normal. If it is clicking constantly it would be worth seeing an aircon specialist to check it out.

[merlin]

^
What Darryl said.

[Quismiff]

What about if the revs are spiking to 1500-1750k when the pump engages? They do drop again after a few seconds. Back story is, I cleaned out the throttle body and now the car and TPS are on speaking terms again, the air con engaging causes the revs to jump up. I confirmed by running with air con off and problem didn't persist...

[lancerdarryl]

Drive round with the a/c on for a while. The car still needs to relearn throttle settings while the a/c is operating

[Quismiff]

Cool, I was going to take a can of MAF cleaner home too, I've done around 160Km since the clean, varying degrees of driving, highway, stop start, residential etc. hopefully it'll calm down soon, its a pain when trying to stop at lights and the car is trying to take off still...

[burfadel]

When was the last time the AC was serviced? It can do that when it is getting low on gas. The regassing includes the lubricant, which is why you should run the AC occasionally even in winter.

Be careful with the regas though, there are lots of different gases and many of them can damage the units. Just hope you haven't had someone do that to you in the past otherwise you will need a new compressor. One of the stupid ones to use I think is LPG, it works and is legal but stupid. A leak or fault could result in fire, and LPG is too drying even with added lubricate and causes damage.

[bumblebee]

When the car gets a normal "service " the air conditioning does not get touched.
Many people think it does
Fact is
It doesn't
End of story.
Get the air conditioning serviced every 2 years
Get the receiver dryer replaced.
Make sure you do your homework
It's not just drain the gas
Put new gas in
Done

Anyone who trys to sell you that. Run away.
Very fast. Never go back.
Ever.
Get the gas removed.
It's need to be cleaned if it hasn't been touched for years.
The black sludge in the lines needs to be removed.
That is what causes the compressor to go bang in the first place.
Get the new lubricant and UV fluids installed.
And re gas done
But most importantly before that's even done get it all checked for leaks
Also make sure they give you some kind of written warranty. Mine from memory had a one year warranty and If any thing goes bang I pay for parts only and no labour.

Shop around. See what you come up with.
If you are in Brisbane area get "jack frost air conditioning"from mount Gravatt. They come to you and do a decent job at a more then reasonable price

[burfadel]

Yes, air conditioning service is separate. Like I said earlier, it's essential a suitable (NOT alternative) gas is used.

[bumblebee]

At least it would be easy to find the leak with LPG installed

You could use a lighter and when it ignites close the bonnet and presto
Instant BBQ
Good spray of olive oil on the bonnet and use it as a decent size BBQ plate and invite the neighbours over for a few snags and onion.

Go nuts

[Lancer1993]

One tip, if they say it just needs a gas top up get a 2nd opinion, been told too much gas is just as bad. Got an old Isuzu where I volunteer and it works great for a time then it frosts up so much the airflow is affected, only solution is to turn off the AC and let it defrost for a few minutes.

Need to keep an AC service in mind the next time I take my CJ in, don't think its been toughed in 4 years!

[bumblebee]

Depends

Too much gas can be excellent to watch with a camera when internals of compressor detonated and it rains allluminum for half an hour

I enjoy watching that displays

But not so much good if your driving down the road when it goes boom.

Gets decent qualified and experienced automotive air conditioning professional to work on your car