10 mile drive with an uncharged system

BOWZ on Sat December 08, 2012 12:28 AM

Year: 2005
Make: DODGE
Model: RAM 3500
Engine Size: 5.9 DIES
Refrigerant Type: R134a
Ambient Temp: 0
Country of Origin: United States

My first post to this forum, I really wish I would have found this site before I decided to tackle this project. Lost of good stuff and people here!

Hear is what I have done so far, replaced compressor(locked up old compressor), liquid line with orifice, and dryer/accumulator. Placed 2 oz of PAG100 in the dryer and just over 2oz in the new compressor. Old compressor had no oil to measure for the replacement of new oil in new compressor.

I need to drive 10 miles to the nearest shop to get it evacuated and charged. I did not plug in the compressor so not to run the risk of it kicking on with no 134. I ran the truck for about 20 seconds and noticed the compressor is spinning but at less than 1/2 the speed of the pulley. I shut the truck down then proceeded to take this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIXigJ8BJkQ&sns=em

I plan on taking it to the shop on monday, I need to get this truck up and running soon, been sitting for over 3 months as I have been saving for this repair and others. The fluid dripping is coolant from the overflow hose. THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP IN ADVANCE!

bowz

mk378 on Sat December 08, 2012 12:44 AM

The clutch seems to be dragging. You should be able to notice it when spinning the pulley by hand with the belt off. This may go away after it wears a little, but really it means your new compressor is not right.

NickD on Sat December 08, 2012 7:29 AM

If your old compressor seized, have some major flushing to do, not just add a couple ounces of PAG. Flushing out a parallel flow condenser can be a pain. Some guys just add a filter, I like it clean.

BOWZ on Sat December 08, 2012 3:02 PM

Quote
Originally posted by: mk378
The clutch seems to be dragging. You should be able to notice it when spinning the pulley by hand with the belt off. This may go away after it wears a little, but really it means your new compressor is not right.

I will pull the belt today and double check but i do think it has a little drag in it. I appreciate the comment!

bowz

BOWZ on Sat December 08, 2012 3:39 PM

Quote
Originally posted by: NickD
If your old compressor seized, have some major flushing to do, not just add a couple ounces of PAG. Flushing out a parallel flow condenser can be a pain. Some guys just add a filter, I like it clean.

Nick, I have read allot of your posts and you obviously know what your talking about, like I said before, wish I would have found this site before I decided to tackle this task.

It started out with bad information from an auto parts store (go figure). according to them all i needed to do was order a compressor, pull the old one and install, and recharge with a few cans of 134. Then after finding oil in the system when I pulled the old compressor i began hours of research on the internet. Best case sinario i could come up with was new compressor, liquid line, and dryer, with a seal kit, take it to a shop to get evac & charged.

I live in a small town in Alaska, so the shops are... not like the lower 48. The most repubitl shop refuses to do work on a/c systems but will evacuate and recharge for est. $150.

I was going to use a dorman bypass pulley and take the old compressor completely out, but would like to get the a/c system up and running when ever I get to my next unit(wouldn't be Alaska). With the dorman bypass pulley I would have to remove the a/c compressor. I didn't want to contaminate the system and never have it run reliably again. Looks like i'm to late.

My question is what to do now with $700 in new parts installed and 1 min of run time on parts. I just ordered a belt that is suppose to bypass the a/c system, I am hesitant of that due to auto parts store telling me it wouldn't work. (stopped caring what they say) Should i remove all new parts and see if i can get my money back? I think morally I could only do that with the compressor due to the faulty clutch.

The truck is outside under a lean-to, it was between 0 and 1 deg for the 8 hours i was working on the truck yesterday, and its not going to get much warmer, so that is another hurdle i am facing. Any other input would be appreciated.

bowz

Edited: Sat December 08, 2012 at 4:47 PM by BOWZ

BOWZ on Sun December 09, 2012 6:45 PM

Quote
Originally posted by: mk378
The clutch seems to be dragging. You should be able to notice it when spinning the pulley by hand with the belt off. This may go away after it wears a little, but really it means your new compressor is not right.

Took the belt off, compressor spins freely, cannot get the pulley to spin and compressor not.

Does mk378 have anything to do with a long white boat?

Bowz

BOWZ on Tue December 11, 2012 8:14 PM

Well not much input lately. Hate to leave threads open, compressor was dropped bending the clutch in to make it drag. Was dropped from high enough that it also bent the race that the pulley rides on. Driving 300 miles each way to the big town to pick it up this weekend.

bowz