why so many A/C’s blowing up now?

I think it’s about that time. Regarding years and miles.

what’s a good source on parts? I don’t see Denso listed at all on RockAuto let alone for a good price.

is it worth it to refresh the AC system before it blows up?
Only a couple hundred bucks more to slap in a whole new compressor than to do the clutch on it.

a compressor kind of works like a car engine. It usually has pistons inside lubricated by oil, swash plate, and clutch that can wear out like a transmission clutch. So it makes sense that it can go bad after 10/100 which I’ve definitely seen happen many times.

is this something everyone should do ahead of time?
I’d hate for it to go bad at an inconvenient time and damage the rest of the system requiring more parts, more cost, more labor/time to do the special cleaning flush when that happens

I think the high and low lines are only $12/ea. I’m sure it would blow colder if I install new o-rings, condenser, compressor, orifice filter

don’t know if I want to go through the hassle of changing the evaporator though. It might be buried under the dash and hard to get to.

my condenser looks super dirty even though I tried cleaning it; I’m sure the inefficiency from that has stressed the compressor more making it work harder

 

Good question. My experience is to definitely change the condenser but if you don't wait until it "blows" you can get away without changing the evaporator.

Here's a guarantee. Buy those parts and have them sitting in your garage for when it does blow and you'll never need them

 

There are different styles of compressors, including the piston style... Which it looks like is what Tacomas use lol... Still used to Subarus, which almost exclusively use a vane style compressor.

I would suggest not disassembling a fully functional AC system to preemptively replace a part. The AC system is sensitive to moisture, it would absolutely suck to tear off a compressor and just replace it, then have more problems down the road, when that compressor could last another 100k miles.

If you have problems with it, then yeah, replace it. If not, leave it alone.

 

FYI...just ordered an OEM compressor from Toyota and it's a Mahle. Original was Delphi on my truck.

 

Now, now? Because not a lot of compressors crap the bed in January.

 

Exactly. Currently in the hottest time of the year when everyone is using their AC. Meanwhile you have trucks like the one over in this thread with over 400k and still on original AC. Mine's original at 228k and blows ice cubes.

 

I have 167,000 miles on mine, don't think it has ever been "serviced" and I have to turn the air down because it gets too cold.

 

2nd gens don't have a lot of faults.

AC compressors is one of them, they are quite common, I've changed more tacoma compressors than any other toyota model.

 

The newest 2nd Gen is 7 yeas old.
The fact is, these truck are getting old.
When things get old, they break.

I personally have never seen anyone do preventive maintenance on an AC system.
Other than AC cabin filter and clean the condenser.
My experience is (which is limited), you either have a problem or you don’t.

 

154k here. I had a problem once.
The AC wouldn’t blow cold. Turned it off and on a few times and it started working. Unfortunately,my father was with me and he insisted I let him check the pressures. That was a mistake, after removing the gauges one of the Schrader valves started leaking.

And yes, the pressures were fine. So, as usually I created a problem by fixing yet something else that wasn’t broke.

I managed to get it to stop by poking at it with a small screwdriver. It finally stopped. I’m not touching it again until it stops working period.

 

Naw, sounds to me like you were living true to the TW motto of "If ain't broke, fix it."

 

Yeah, that is what I did

 

Must be nice! Mine stopped working soon after I bought it a few months ago. Pulled the fuse for now so the compressor won't engage if I happen to hit a setting on the HVAC controls accidentally. I assume the compressor is seized, bogged the engine down big time. Don't use the fan much, fortunately I'm usually not usually stopped in traffic. Another reason I like the back window opening, helps a little.

 

Strange that rockauto doesn't have any Denso ac compressors. Look at your local auto parts store or stealership for a Denso reman as they are always at a good price.

 

good idea but honestly with any finned rectangular component they can get damaged in the box so easily. It would be pretty cheap and easy just to service the front end putting a new radiator and condenser.

it’s the other parts that suck. Compressor adds noticeable cost (not too hard to change) or at minimum doing the clutch in front of it while I’m in the area. Already have parts for that area; need to change preventatively water pump, belt pulleys and tensioner, thermostat
It sounds and feels kind of grindy and shitty so even though the AC currently blows somewhat cold I’m sure the clutch on it is wearing out

just happened to me lol. There may have been some corrosion on the small shrader valve. started leaking. Ran to oreillys for a replacement kit. Installed it and fixed the leak

 

Are they made in Mexico?

 

Evaporators and condensers don't typically go bad- no moving parts. A condenser can fail from corrosion or from collision damage. I am all for preventative maintenance, but not for air conditioning in a vehicle. Keep it full of refrigerant and let it ride.

 

All A/C seals weep refrigerant to keep them lubricated. At 160,000 I had my mechanic extract and refill with the correctly measured amount of refrigerant. It runs cooler than it did before. I feel this was like an oil change and hopefully will keep it lasting longer. I’m sitting at 174,000 now on the same components.

 

I definitely agree with that. It’s good maintenance to recharge every once in a while. Maybe even an hour vacuum.
Refrigerant absorbs moisture over time so it doesn’t hurt.
I’ve done about 2 or 3 recharges so far

only thing I’m stressing is the PAG oil. Normally I measure what I take out, and add that amount back in during the charge. To keep it the same. Some people don’t. They say it’s not needed unless you replace a big component, where there is charts that say how much to add per/depending on which component is replaced if It doesn’t already come pre filled.

but this last recharge I was unable to measure the quantity of PAG oil that came out; it was some.

 

This is actually the reason that the receiver/dryer can require replacement; Over time, the desiccant in the dryer can saturate, then you start getting ice buildup in the evaporator.

I probably will have my system serviced after this summer, or when temps drop down a bit. I don't have access to the equipment to do services anymore, but I know of a few good local shops, at least.