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A/C making a Growning/Growling Noise; $2,200?!?

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by nvrenuf, Jul 18, 2011.

  1. Jul 18, 2011 at 8:23 AM
    #1
    nvrenuf

    nvrenuf [OP] Whatever

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    I bought my 2008 TRD Sport DCSB 4x4 last October with about 60k on the odometer (approx 70k to date). It is my 2nd Tacoma and has been a great truck. Needless to say I didn't need the A/C throught the winter, but now that we've been in the triple digits for a week straight...

    Anyway; took my truck to the local shop (not a stealership) to have a growning/growling noise that was occuring when my a/c was on (didn't matter what fan speed or anythhing) check out. I am familiar with the notorious "fan chirp", and this was definitely something different coming from under the hood.

    Just as I suspected it was the bearing going out of the compressor. The shop charged my $45 for the diagnosis, and told me that not only should the compressor be replaced, but the dryer needs to be replaced at the same time. Apparently the dryer is part of the compressor on the Tacomas, so basically the entire A/C system needs to be replaced. They quoted my $2200 for parts and labor. I wasn't too happy about this.

    Anyone have any experience with a situation like this? Any advice? Any Toyota Techs out there that could possibly verify? Should I get a second opinion? Should I take it to a stealership? I just want to be as well educatated before I go taking a hit like this to the bank account! I would much rather be spending my "Tacoma Fund" on fun stuff, but I guess I gotat do what I gotta do...
     
  2. Jul 18, 2011 at 9:20 AM
    #2
    skytower

    skytower Well-Known Member

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    Hitch and wiring, aux back-up light, rear strobe lights, radio and underseat sub.
    Any time an ac system is open to the atmosphere, the dryer should be replaced. It absorbs moisture which would form ice crystals which would clog the system.
    Make sure they flush the system. A dying compressor will spread it's parts into the rest of the system. They should also vaccuum check the system before they start replacing parts to check the integrity of the evaporator and condenser. Those parts are just as pricy.
     
  3. Jul 18, 2011 at 10:12 AM
    #3
    oldstick

    oldstick Medicare Member

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    Gut feel is that sounds way too much. But I haven't priced any of that kind of work lately. I think I would check around on that one.

    Also absolutely sure it is a bearing inside the compressor and not in the clutch/pulley mechanism? I assume they could change out the pulley without messing with the internal system.

    But yes, I agree it is pretty standard to change out the dryer if the whole compressor needs to be replaced.
     
  4. Jul 22, 2011 at 12:58 PM
    #4
    clothar

    clothar Well-Known Member

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    I had the same problem my compressor sounded like a food disposal unit. I called a few places to see about an ac compressor and you would think compressors are made of gold. I eventually bought one off sparkplugs.com brand new OEM Denso exactly the same as the one on my truck compressor with clutch oiled up and ready to go for 260$ or something like that and I think you can get the OEM drier from them for about 20$ i got it from rock auto.

    The compressor comes with a one year warranty but the warranty is voided if you the drier is not replaced. I think I will get the dealer to to install the parts and recharge and oil the system. I would do the install but i cannot find the number 8 PAC oil anywhere. And the dealer wants 150$ for 250ccs.

    It was weird tho when i called them they said the did not flush AC just recharged them and inserted some dye to check for leaks.

    But i think one of the functions of the drier is to take particles out of the system. Anyways good luck.
     
  5. Jul 22, 2011 at 1:02 PM
    #5
    macgyver

    macgyver Well-Known Member

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    The dryer removes moisture from the system. From what I understand, when freon and water mix, it forms a highly corrosive compound that can erode away your ac lines and compressor.
     
  6. Jul 22, 2011 at 7:57 PM
    #6
    G17GUY

    G17GUY Well-Known Member

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  7. Jul 26, 2011 at 6:16 PM
    #7
    plettenberg

    plettenberg New Member

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    You may want to get a couple of opinions. My AC went out, made a grinding noise and then nothing except the dreaded flashing ac light. I went to two shops who both told me the compressor was shot. I then had a dealer really check it out and he told me only the ac clutch was bad and that the compressor was ok. He still wanted $1200 just to replace the AC clutch.
     
  8. Aug 10, 2011 at 6:41 PM
    #8
    mrbreeze

    mrbreeze New Member

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    Hey...I'm new here...1st post. I have owned my 95 Taco since 10-05 and have racked up about 120K mostly trouble free miles. I've been an auto tech for a little over 20 years although I just started doing A/C work around 5 years ago.
    Anyhow....the other day I took off to the post office and noticed my A/C wasn't working. The light on the switch didn't light up and that has never happened. My A/C has always worked great till earlier this year I lost the belt right after taking a long trip to Vegas and back. I changed the belt and all has been well till this latest thing. So I get home and check my fuses. 10 amp mini under the hood is fried. Installed another fuse and fried it imediately. Got a flashlight to see compressor (V6...kinda hard to see). Around the whole top half of the pulley is a bead of melted plastic. After screwing around trying to pry this bead off with a long screwdriver....I get it off in chunks and realize it's the coil that has melted down. I've never changed one personally but a guy I used to work with has and told me it's not too big of a deal to change it out with a new clutch. Can be done on the vehicle without breaking into the compressor. I momentarily jumped the burnt fuse with a paperclip and observed the clutch lock and turn the compressor. I found some different clutches on the internet for between $60 to $120. I'm going to fix this myself............wondering if anyone here has dealt with this problem?
     
  9. Aug 10, 2011 at 6:55 PM
    #9
    WhiteWiddow

    WhiteWiddow a member

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    Same ish everyones doin
    I had a very simalar thing happen to me about 6 weeks ago. I bought a 06 DCLB Sport from the original owner with 30k. 2nd week in im driving down to Seattle and I get that noise. AC Light is blinking. Long story short I took it to the Stealership and it was the AC Clutch/AC Compressor and Serpintine belt that was jammed and went out on me. I saw their computer screen when the dude went away and it was parts n labor like $3200 and that includes the 700 mark up on parts. Thank GOD I had the platinum warranty that was transferable and I didnt pay a dime except my time. Best of luck to you but the price sounds bout right. From my research anything with the AC unit is gonna be $$$.
     
  10. Aug 10, 2011 at 6:59 PM
    #10
    username

    username Fluffer

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    The clutch smoked because the pump has so much resistance. The pump has so much resistance because it is FUBAR. Replace the pump, clutch, and accumulator/drier/condenser.
     
  11. Aug 10, 2011 at 7:18 PM
    #11
    mrbreeze

    mrbreeze New Member

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    I don't know if this response is directed at my post or not but if so.....I could turn the compressor by hand no problem and I engaged just for a second or so and it sounded normal. My buddy at work has more a/c experience than I do and says he has encountered bad clutches before.It's actually not the clutch...its the coil shorted. You could very well be right about the whole system but I am not in the position to shell out all that money right now. If I fix it myself for $120 and don't have to open up the system....great.If the new clutch doesn't fix it....I guess I'm out $120 and a few hours of my time.
     
  12. Aug 10, 2011 at 8:15 PM
    #12
    username

    username Fluffer

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    ^ Yeah if the coil is fried it that's your problem, the clutch is ran on an electromagnet. As far as the physical clutch, it's solid steel and would take many lifetimes to wear out, pretty much the only reason they slip is when the pump is gnarfed.
     

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