S13 AC issue

[Redfox92]

Hey fellas,

Here's the situation:
Bought the car 5-6 years ago, it came fully loaded with power everything, including ice cold A/C. When I bought the car I lived in NW Washington where there is no need for AC, so when I did my SR20 swap I ripped the AC out and tossed it. Well, about 4 years ago I moved to Texas, and so I bought up all the pieces to get the AC rolling again, including a set of Codyace ac brackets to use the KA compressor on the SR. Put it all in, and it worked great while the car was in the driveway. Started my trip from WA to TX and the AC never worked (was 110* for the last 1,000 miles of the trip). Found out I had 2 wires backwards, after I swapped them the AC worked great for about a month, then my compressor died. Got a used compressor and changed out the receiver/drier, and recharged the system and it worked great for another month, then stopped working again... SOOOO, I bought a remanufactured compressor from rockauto and another receiver/drier and the compressor worked great for 2 weeks then started squealing really bad. So I had to go the rest of the summer in 100+ temp with no AC, FML... Last summer, I bought some beater POS to drive during the summer just to have AC.

Well, Spring is quickly approaching and I need to get this crap working so I don't have to buy ANOTHER beater to drive during this summer. I need some help or Ideas on what could be killing these compressors like this? I'm using R134A refrigerant with PAG46 lube (pouring into the compressor before installation), always applying 30-60 minutes of vacuum on the system before charging.

Thanks

PS: sorry for the wall of text...

[Redfox92]

Just measured the voltage going to the compressor at 13.92 to 14.09 DC Volts, could it be the extra 2ish volts are too much for the compressor?

[compactfean]

I hate to say it but you might need a new system. Anytime a pump takes a s*** it puts shavings through the entire system. Usually I have been successful with just replacing pump reciever/drier and orafice tube but there had been cases where an AC flush didn't even work and had to replace condensor and AC core .

[Redfox92]

I hate to say it but you might need a new system. Anytime a pump takes a s*** it puts shavings through the entire system. Usually I have been successful with just replacing pump reciever/drier and orafice tube but there had been cases where an AC flush didn't even work and had to replace condensor and AC core .

Wow, that really blows, but makes the most sense of all explanations I've gotten. Will the piping need to be replaced as well? I can't seem to find the piping anywhere.

[compactfean]

Piping is gonna be dealer item (unless it was a Chevy! Lol) but you could just flush it for the tubes at an AC repair shop. I can't remember cuz its been a while since I've done any AC work but is the oriface tube inside the drier or in line? If its in line there will be a crimp in the line put there for the tube (its like a tiny inline filter) usually very close to were you would seperate the lines. Do you have a warranty on the pump? (Most places wont give you a warranty unless you buy pump oriface tube and drier together) if not and you need a new pump get all three do the flush and replace oriface tube last. Oh one more thing. How are you filling the refrigerant?
Are you doing an evac and recharge? Don't use those stupid Kragen cans...you will. Never get the amount right. Have a shop do it and go about 2oz underspec.....trust me. If you think the pump may be good than do a flush and replace drier and tube and than recharge.

[Redfox92]

Piping is gonna be dealer item (unless it was a Chevy! Lol) but you could just flush it for the tubes at an AC repair shop. I can't remember cuz its been a while since I've done any AC work but is the oriface tube inside the drier or in line? If its in line there will be a crimp in the line put there for the tube (its like a tiny inline filter) usually very close to were you would seperate the lines. Do you have a warranty on the pump? (Most places wont give you a warranty unless you buy pump oriface tube and drier together) if not and you need a new pump get all three do the flush and replace oriface tube last. Oh one more thing. How are you filling the refrigerant?
Are you doing an evac and recharge? Don't use those stupid Kragen cans...you will. Never get the amount right. Have a shop do it and go about 2oz underspec.....trust me. If you think the pump may be good than do a flush and replace drier and tube and than recharge.

To my knowledge there is no orifice tube as the 240 uses an evaporator (may be wrong but its what all the parts stores have told me when buying replacement parts). I have placed the system under vacuum for 30-60 minutes before recharging every time with the autozone AC vacuum pump. As far as refrigerant, I have been using the store brand refrigerant, don't remember the brand or what I charged the system to as it's been a while, IIRC you charge R134A to 80% of the R13 rated capacity. I have always replaced the receiver/drier before recharging the system. The last time when I purchased the remanufactured pump, I also changed out the evaporator.

I think I may try to replace the pump, condenser, evaporator, AC core, receiver/drier, and then get a shop to flush the lines and evap/charge the system.

[compactfean]

Thats why I don't run AC in my 240sx. Too expensive to fix and everything has to be perfect.

[Redfox92]

One more question for ya, what is the ac equivalent part to a heater core called? I have tried searching for "AC core" and such, but it keeps coming up with "Caps and Valve core kit", or for those of us that speak English the valves where you charge the system. Can anyone tell me what this part is called and where can I get a new one? If I'm going to swap out every part, I want to change this too.

Thanks

[lightning2000]

I will be replacing my compressor shortly myself. What I was told when the last one crapped out on me is to replace the compressor, drier, and expansion valve. It looks like you've replaced the compressor and drier but have you done the expansion valve? I'll be tearing into mine in a couple weeks and it's a pain from what I'm hearing. I would also suggest you just cough up the money to go get the a/c serviced after installing everything. They have the proper equipment to do the job and it's going to be better than what you buy at an auto parts store.

[Redfox92]

One more question for ya, what is the ac equivalent part to a heater core called?

Anyone know this parts name? I'm ready to order a new system worth of parts, but I want to get this part at the same time.
Thanks

[Redfox92]

One more question for ya, what is the ac equivalent part to a heater core called?

Anyone know this parts name? I'm ready to order a new system worth of parts, but I want to get this part at the same time.
Thanks

Last bump, no one knows this parts name or where I can buy a new one?

[compactfean]

Call the dealer. They can FAX you a blowup. Pic with descriptions. The sad part is I know exactly what your talking about but don't know the name

[sabretooth91]

wow, what a PITA. I don't even know if anything is wrong with my AC, but reading this makes me want to rip it out so it can't infect the rest of my car with its bad ju-ju.

[compactfean]

^DONT let this scare you from AC. I think this is like worst case. Its usually pretty simple...compressor, reciever drier and orofice. Tube, new o-rings and a service and usually good for the next 10 years.

[sabretooth91]

^DONT let this scare you from AC. I think this is like worst case. Its usually pretty simple...compressor, reciever drier and orofice. Tube, new o-rings and a service and usually good for the next 10 years.

ok, not completely scared yet. We'll play it by ear.

[ncline]

Redfox, it's a condensor. you can get at autozone for sure and I know other places.
Nathan

[mike454]

he asked for the a/c equiv.to a heater core.....That would be the evaporator core.
The condenser is in front of the radiator,the evap sits inside the dash and is what the fan blows thru to cool the inside of the car down.
These don't have orfice tubes either,it has an expansion valve,which is located in the box with the evap core inside the dash.
I have a blow up of the system from the mitchell on demand,if i can figure oout how to post it i will