Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

Milkman Dan on Sat March 24, 2012 7:28 AM

Year: 2001
Make: Chevy
Model: Metro Lsi
Engine Size: 1.3
Refrigerant Type: R134
Country of Origin: United States

We recently bought a car that has the AC compressor disconnected. The prior owner said that a "valve" was bad in it, and he never bothered to have it fixed because it didn't bother him that much. What's the best way of fixing this? I asked him about the valve, and he said he thought it was a "two way valve". I'm guessing the expansion valve is what he was talking about. The lines have a little pressure in them, but I didn't take a reading. Also, the compressor drive belt has been disconnected for quite some time.

Should I just hook it up, recharge it and see what happens?

mk378 on Sat March 24, 2012 12:33 PM

Check that the compressor pulley and clutch plate (which drives the internals) turn freely by hand. The pulley should be real easy to spin. If it makes noise or wobbles, the bearing is shot and that's probably why the belt was taken off.

Dougflas on Sat March 24, 2012 2:37 PM

I have the factory service manual for the 2000 Metro. I don't know if they're the same but I'd sell the manual at a good price if it would help you. It contains 2 complete books.

Milkman Dan on Sun March 25, 2012 7:28 AM

Thanks. I put a new belt on it, and it's been off for a long time. The tensioner and compressor pulley have bad bearings. I ran it for a short while and the clutch wasn't engaging and the tensioner started to heat up. I think it's going to need a compressor rebuild and new tensioner at the least.

Cussboy on Sun March 25, 2012 10:42 AM

"Always fix FIRST what you KNOW is bad"