In general, a “neighborhood” mechanic understands how the car engine works and by extension, the role a radiator, a water pump, or an oxygen sensor. What I am noticing is a car’s ac system is not general car knowledge. So here is part one of a series on car air conditioning.
This time around, I will keep it simple and answer the following question – what is auto ac?
Auto air conditioning is a combination of the following 7 components. I will go over each one in greater detail in subsequent posts.
1. AC Compressor
2. AC Condenser
3. Orifice Tube
4. AC Evaporator
5. AC Receiver / Drier
6. AC Lines & Hoses
7. AC Blower Motor
So one of the key steps in any AC compressor install is to turn the compressor to move the oil and refrigerant and begin the charge. The problem is that while this is common, not all compressors turn easily and many will not turn until the belt is on.
This started because someone told me they got a locked up compressor. It wouldn’t turn and wondered how that could have happened on a new air conditioning parts. Well the problem is that not all ac compressors turn by hand. Many do, but some don’t. These compressors will need the belt put on and used to turn the clutch.
This one was on a 97 Sierra GMC ac compressor. For these Delphi HD6 compressorsyou need to put the belt on, they simply are too tight. This is just the design of this style compressor. Be sure to check your book on which ones can be turned by hand and which ones cannot. The Delphi H series definately cannot. Some FS6 and others are hard to turn.
