Air conditioning repaired

Yet another one. I wish I could do this myself like others on here have done - but I had to bring my '07 Tacoma in for repair. Based on what I've read here, the cost was less than I thought. As I suspected, the compressor was seized. I pulled the fuse a few months ago after turning the AC switch on which bogged down the engine. Smelled rubber after that so I asked to have the belt replaced. It was done by mid afternoon after dropping it off the night before. Based on the availability compressors in some areas I thought it may be a 2 day deal. It was $50 more for a new one, went with that. I hope to have this truck for a long time.

I feel dumb about the cabin filter. I should have checked it when I bought the truck in May. It was really bad and they had to vacuum out the area. The cost with labor was about $30 for that, certainly could have saved some money had I checked and done that part myself. Time will tell if there's a leak in the system.

 

Steve, here’s an easy DIY mod that will help keep your cabin air filter a bit cleaner, with the added bonus of keeping small furry critters from making a home there.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cabin-air-intake-screen-mod.566441/

Glad you’ve got your A/C back in operation. I’m hoping my 2011 won’t need a new compressor for a good number of years yet since it was replaced by the previous owner back in 2018. Already had the alternator seize up on me, don’t feel the need to smoke another belt anytime soon.

 

Thanks Leo! I'll check that out. Yes you should be set for a long time. It does seem like the compressor seizing on these isn't uncommon. When I checked on reliability ratings on used Tacomas before purchasing mine, I don't recall air conditioning being a common point of trouble. I guess we're seeing many on this forum lately because it's that time of year.

 

Seizing or catastrophic internal failure is what I see the most when compressors fail no matter what the vehicle but the heat here is hell on A/C compressors.

Many times the root cause is low charge due to a leak, insufficent cooling from a failed cooling fan/fan clutch or plugged radiator and condenser, or stop leak in the system.

 

Yes - like when replacing a fuse, why did it blow in the first place. I do wonder why the compressor seized. Not knowing the vehicle history, (had it since May) it could be any of the above. The warm weather will be here for a while, so I'll see if the system retains it's charge.

Some vehicles may have more failures than usual due to a design. 2007-2011 Honda CR-Vs are known to, it's been said the compressor was placed in a way to commonly be overheated.