ac goes out with a squeal

Hello TacomaPeeps. This is my first post anywhere so forgive the ignorance. (and the length) I have (and love) a First generation 2001 Toyota Tacoma SR5 extended cab 4 cyl. It only has 141K on it and I want to keep it forever so I'm game to learn more about it here at this site. I'm retiring soon and it seems like every time I take it somewhere for repair, the job is less than ok, so I want to do repairs myself or AT LEAST understand what is being done. I'll have the time to devote to the steep learning curve. I am N00B, like really bad. But I promise I WILL read the directions. I love the posts on here about maintenance how-to's and I'm sure there must already be a post about this issue I am having with my AC. My question is this: How is best to search for a "thread" on here for a specific problem? Here are some specs RE: my AC issue: My AC started squealing (at least I think it was that belt) and eventually stopped blowing cool air (although from beginning of squealing noise-intermittent BTW, it was about 6 months.) I took it to a mechanic who said it was the compressor. Uh, don't they always say that when it's the AC? Anyway-he put a new one in ($750) and now (2 weeks hence), the belt fried off of that one, too--squeal, blue smoke, BAD burnt rubber smell--quite dramatic, really! And before that happened(again), the engine would DIE anytime I pushed the AC blue light button. (I just stopped using the AC on these last few drives). It runs great w/out the AC but I live in the stinkin' desert and will want to have it. PLUS I already paid the guy for a new compressor. I'm thinking that since this same rubber belt fried off of the same place that the REAL "root cause" was not discovered. Mechanic says the work is guaranteed but can anyone direct me to someplace on TacomaWorld where I might be able to read about what someone else did to actually FIX THIS when they had these symptoms? It may not even be the compressor. THANK YOU FOR READING ALL THIS.

 

My best guess is that the original compressor introduced particles into the system that were not properly flushed out before the new compressor was installed. That likely killed the second compressor. I would take it back to the tech who did the work so that he can replace the failed compressor for free, properly flush the system and check function when he is done. You could also now have a failed expansion valve (this is located next to the evaporator core that is mounted inside the dash just forward of the glove compartment) due to the shrapnel. And any time you replace a compressor, you should also replace the drier assembly. If he didn't do that, he should have and it should be done the second time around. Sorry but it sounds like you are in a/c hell. You need to make sure you have a tech who knows a/c and not simply a parts changer. Your situation requires proper diagnosis or it will get real expensive real fast.

 

Well of course this isn't good news but I thank you for your quick response. I was referred to this particular Toyota-specific mechanic with a very high recommendation of quality of work he had done for their multiple Toyota vehicles over the years--and specifically for AC issues. I'd been taking it to the dealer over all these years but the last time I had it in for what they call scheduled maintenance, they charged me $400+ for what looked like an oil change and some fluid top offs when I went through the invoice! I've had the vehicle since '01 (new)when it had only 25 miles on it and it has been the most dependable vehicle I've ever had. It's had nothing go wrong on it. (oh a door latch and peeling tinting on drivers side window but that's just stuff.) It has 141K miles on it now so I'm expecting to have to replace some parts and/or have things repaired until (and unless) it starts being more expensive than a new car payment would be...but I may STILL keep fixing it because I just like it so much...EVEN though it's a 4 cylinder and has the widest turning radius ever designed on a passenger vehicle! I have been reading posts on this site and I feel like I am really learning a lot and with the help of everyone's experiences, I will be able to maintain and maybe even fix my OWN Tacoma! I will be taking it over to this mechanic to have this mess taken care of and will be asking him about what all he did with it. (I left it at his shop for 10 days while I was out of town so it's not like he had to hurry or cut corners). I'll look into the evaporator core and/or the drier assembly. I can't say mechanic didn't do all this you are recommending to do an AC job correctly but now I know what SHOULD be done. Thanks again and happy motoring.

 

I wonder if I am yelling down a hole where no one will read this...he-e-e-e-el-l-l-l-l-o-o-o-o-o-o...there is a "the rest of this story"... I am on Compressor#3 and the mechanic fired me--never wants to see the truck again. He DID put all 3 in for one low low fee but any advice on what to do now---he told me to be sure and RUN the AC a bunch (weirdly easy to doewven though it is february--it is HOT in the truck--we have daytime temps in the high 80 degrees--yes, that is Fahrenheit!!
I'm headed to the dealer now to see what I can get for a trade-in. I may want to sell the truck if it ends up being to much to fix this AC the right way--my guess is that this guy did not do what you recommended and it's the reason for my third compressor in 4 months--this lastone lasted longer probably because I didn't even turn it on for the last 6 weeks.
I'd also like to see if anyone here is or will be selling a Taco w/low miles--a bit newer than mine--I have the 01 extended cab 4 cyl w/145K miles on it!!

 

The mechanic fired you!? Thats a bucket of bullshit! Its not anything you're doing wrong!

 

If your truck keeps killing a/c compressors, something is wrong with the system. The system needs a complete flush and other parts may be plugged. If it seized the 1st compressor and all the tech did was replace the compressor, he's an idiot and doesn't know a/c. Once a compressor seizes, it's almost a complete a/c system rebuild.

I would take it back to the tech who did your work, and demand he fix it or to pay for someone else to fix it. If he refuses take him to small claims court.

 

I hate to muddy the waters here, but there could be another [mechanical] culprit here, and that would be the bearing in the idler pulley for the A/C belt.

If that fails (and seizes) then it would cause the belt to squeal and smoke and stink. Perhaps the compressor is not at fault. The next time this is serviced, replace that idler. The bearing itself is replaceable, so no need to replace the idler assembly.

 

tan 4x4 makes a good point to check the idler pulley just to be safe. the pulley only cost $20

assuming its not the pulley, off hand it sounds to me like the mechanic is just a parts changer, he doesn't know how to do the job right, or is just unwilling to do so, or flat out is too lazy to.

it would not surprise me if he is simply bolting on new compressors and nothing else, I have seen many jack legs do work like that and they sometimes wont even use a vacuum pump. I see them "purge" the air by chasing it out with Freon and calling it good.

its pretty basic stuff, you pull the expansion valve and clean it with special Freon safe solvents (same as used for flushing), then with it still removed, you flush both sides of the system with "liquid chemical flush solution".

many jack legs wrongly think compressed air is all that is needed to flush it by blowning out any particles or metal shavings but they are stuck in oil and wont just come out with air.

once the system is "correctly flushed" you can reinstall the expansion valve, compressor, and drier, in that order. then you vacuum, leak test, then fill with Freon.

if this process is done as described above, there should never be a second failure much less a third.

 

I know youre kinda over it at this point but but that dusch nozzle of a mechanic needs to honor his work. It sucks he was recommended to you as the go to toyota a/c guru. Hind sight you shoulda went to an a/c shop or even the stealership (even though you hate em) to get it done right.

The three fellas above are correct on what needed to have been done from the get go. So unfortunately you're prolly gunna need to get nasty with that mechanic you used..... he needs to fix it, or better yet pay a competent shop/person to do the work. I wouldnt really want him to toutch my rig again. Especially since he got all pissy with you about not wanting to ever see your truck again. He obviously wouldnt do or want to do a quality job at this point. Thats a really shitty ordeal you're dealing with, hate to see and hear about stories like this, i feel for ya....