AC Issues.

My Wife and I went on vacation for two weeks, and drove the Tacoma 2600 kms around B.C. While part way through our trip it was really hot, and we put the AC on, which I have only used maybe 4-5 times in the whole time I've had the truck (4.5 years). It made a squeeling noise for about two seconds and the AC light started blinking.

I took a look at everything and it all looked fine, but this was just a visual check, and we decided to just use the fan the rest of the trip which sucked in stop and go in hot weather.

I've been doing some reading on here, and from the sounds of it I'm in for a large/ expensive replacement of my AC Compressor if it has shit the bed. I'm sure the dealership is gonna quote me something like $2000-3000 for this from the sounds of it.

Is there a way to check if the whole thing is seized and could kill my serpentine belt? If it's not seized can I still run the truck over the fall/ winter without using the AC and wait until spring to do the repair?

Any help or info is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

Even if you've only used the actual AC 4-5 times in as many years, it still cycles on when it's in "Defrost" mode, so the seals and everything stay lubed up.

Not sure about your problem, but maybe observe the running engine while your wife turns the AC on to see if the actual compressor pulley seizes?

 

Good idea. I was also going to do the mod that allows you to run the defrost etc. without the AC on, so if it's not totally seized maybe I can offset the cost until spring seeing as I never use the AC. Guess that makes me sound cheap. lol.

 

Anyone else want to chime in?

 

If the pulley still spins freely without trying to turn the compressor, then it's ok to drive. Chances are that's the case.

Toyota really needs to cut ties with Delphi and all their POS parts and go back to Denso.

Check rockauto for compressor prices, $360-400 there, although for the warranty of any compressor they'll want proof of a new condensor/receiver/dryer and expansion valve, as well as a flush of the evaporator (though new evaporator would be better, no flush is 100%). That's where the big cost is - removing the expansion valve and evaporator means removing half the interior of the truck. Grenaded compressor means lots of little metal bits everywhere in the system.

You could pull the AC fuse under the hood so you or the defroster can't turn it on.

 

How would you check to see if it spins freely? Would I have to take the serpentine belt off?

 

To be sure, yeah. It's just to make sure the clutch isn't dragging or its bearing is shot. Of course, if either of those was the case, chances are the SQUEEEEE sound wouldn't stop.

Been in this boat 4 weeks now... when I saw that flashing AC light driving down the freeway, I pushed the button, heard the squeal, and my exact words were, "I just lost the compressor.... I FREAKIN HATE DELPHI!"

When the belt is off, you can also check if the compressor still spins. Sometimes the clutch rubber just separates and you can get away with just a compressor replacement, but if it's seized, then the whole system is contaminated and there's lots more parts and work. By the sound you described, it doesn't sound like luck was on your side.

 

Yeah, I drove it approx. 2000 kms using the fan, so I guess it would have pooched things if it was all seized, ha, ha. I'll investigate further to double check. If I can get away with just using the fan and remove the fuse/ do the AC off mod over the fall and winter that would work fine with me as I don't use AC anyway. I just don't want to damage anything. If I have to fork out the $ I will, but I just bought a motorbike, and spent some dough on vacation, so funds are lower than normal.

 

bump...

 

Well, finally had local indy shop look at this, and the compressor shit the bed. Looks like it's gonna be about $2k to have rectified. Gotta be done as I'm looking to sell the truck in a few months to get the new WRX.