AC Compressor Busted

First time replacing an AC compressor and don't really know what to make of this situation.

I was driving the truck a few days ago when the AC light started blinking. It was evening time so wasn't too hot outside, I just turned off the AC and continued on (noting that I would have to look at it when I had the time). A day later I got back in the truck and decided I'd try it again, see what would happen. Turned on the AC, and the light didn't blink (and the AC actually worked for a couple of minutes). Then all of a sudden I heard a very loud bang and the AC started a very high pitched squealing every time it would turn on.

The noise definitely came from the compressor, and would only happen when the clutch started to spin. I went to a shop, had them drain out all the refrigerant from the AC system so I could replace the compressor. My plan was to see what was broken, and then drain the oil and see if there was any internal damage. When I took out the compressor, and tried to drain it, there was absolutely no oil in it at all. Maybe the oil drained out when I heard the bang? Not sure, posting here in case someone has any ideas. To me, it looks like the clutch has some damage on the front, but I don't see any oil stains anywhere.

At this point, I'm probably going to replace the condenser as well. Don't know how much internal damage there was and much debris got in the system.

 

AC clutches are know to squeal on their way out....

 

Please keep us posted on your repairs. How many miles on your truck ? Live where it’s warmer or cooler ?

 

What's confusing to me is that there was absolutely no oil at all when I tried to drain it. I guess it could have leaked out or is trapped somewhere else in the system.

2007 Tacoma base cab, 133K miles. I live in a warm and humid area.

 

If the system was low on charge or there is a restriction somewhere the oil will tend to get trapped in the evaporator or in some cases the condenser because the refrigerant carries the oil with it, anything that restricts refrigerant flow or if there isn't enough refrigerant in the system will prevent the oil from returning to the compressor.

I'd pull the expansion valve filter and see what it looks like.
Modern condensers can't effectivly be flushed if there's metal contamination, evaporators typically can be flushed out good enough because the expansion valve and screen tends to catch most of the metal or other debris.

 

That is because when they evacuated the system, they also, due to the vacuum generated, aerosolized the oil and removed that also.

 

Oh.... I thought they would only remove the refrigerant... did not realize the oil would come out of there as well during that process

Just to clarify, before I had the system drained, the refrigerant pressure was fine, (even though the compressor was making the squealing and no cold air was blowing)

 

Update for the thread:
Swapped out the old compressor and condenser, and charged up the system using an AC manifold and vacuum pump.
Truck runs fine now, and AC blows cold.

 

If you don’t mind, what did that cost ?

 

I bought a kit from Amazon that included a compressor, condenser, and expansion valve for $400 after tax