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fxr
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Joined: December 07, 2014
Posts: 2325
Location: Bay area CA
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 Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 11:41 am Post subject: A/C compressor not compressing - but the clutch appears to work. |
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I was hoping to be at the end of my long-running A/C saga (compressor blow-up [replaced], leaks, deer collision [new condensor], expansion valve...) when I had the last tiny leak fixed yesterday.
This morning, being full of hope this was the final time, I set out to re-charge the system yet again.
Hmm - very odd pressures being shown! Having started with a vacuum, 70-80psi show on both sides of the compressor after just 3/4 of a 6oz can of Envirosafe had gone in. The compressor clutch is engaged and spinning just fine.
In case it's of any import, this is a Zexel compressor in an EJ22 from a 1995 Legacy.
I'm hoping someone with much more experience than me in these things can offer some explanation of what's broken inside...
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Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300 |
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Farf
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Joined: July 12, 2009
Posts: 463
Location: Colorado
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 1:11 pm Post subject: Re: A/C compressor not compressing - but the clutch appears to work. |
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| Double check that the compressor is actually spinning, the central hub of the clutch/drive assembly should be spinning. Are the gauge manifold valves shut? If you remove the belt and engage the clutch how much resistance do you feel when you try to spin the compressor by hand? |
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fxr
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2014
Posts: 2325
Location: Bay area CA
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 3:04 pm Post subject: Re: A/C compressor not compressing - but the clutch appears to work. |
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The only bit of the central hub that's visible is the bolt on the clutch end - that's on tight and spins with the clutch. The clutch turns fairly easily by hand, there's a slight 'bump' felt at one point on the circuit.
Manifold and gauges are disconnected at the moment. If anyone's suspecting I had the wrong valves open on the manifold - no I didn't, I was double-checking all the time, and I've re-charged this system quite a few times over the last months to get around the last tiny elusive leak.
My best guess is that one or more of the compressor valves are buggered - but I've never had a compressor apart so can only rely on youtube to get an idea of the innards. How a valve or two might have been damaged is a mystery.
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Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300 |
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32634
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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fxr
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2014
Posts: 2325
Location: Bay area CA
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 3:16 pm Post subject: Re: A/C compressor not compressing - but the clutch appears to work. |
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| djkeev wrote: |
Its no mystery, you had a compressor self destruct which filled the system with debris. A bit of that debris came back to haunt you.
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That's a possibility I suppose - but the original compressor failure was just the pulley bearing - that started to seize up without the A/C being invoked at all. I'm also pretty sure the whole system got flushed and evacuated by the A/C chaps that Buslab use after that event.
Anyway, I guess this compressor is now toast - I assume they're not readily repairable?
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300 |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32634
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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fxr
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2014
Posts: 2325
Location: Bay area CA
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 3:35 pm Post subject: Re: A/C compressor not compressing - but the clutch appears to work. |
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I've just ordered a second-hand one I spotted on eBay - grand sum of $70. Seller states it was working when removed - we'll see. In any event, that's cheap enough to take a punt on it.
I'll report back when I've got the system working again with post-mortem results on the duff compressor. With pics... 
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300 |
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