What would cause AC compressor to lock up?
Without professional maintenance, your car’s conditioning compressor can seize or lock up. Some of the causes for car air conditioning compressor locking up include incorrect or low quality refrigerant being used, low coolant levels, and improper lubrication.
What to do if your air conditioner compressor locks up?
After a catastrophic compressor failure the system must be flushed, otherwise the new air conditioning compressor could get damaged by all the debris released by the old locked up a/c compressor. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend closed loop flushing with refrigerant as a flushing agent.
How to flush a / C system after compressor failure?
There are a few specialized items needed to perform a successful A/C system flush; a pressure cylinder is a primary tool needed for the procedure. This is a metal cylinder with an air fitting or Schrader valve on top and a hose on the bottom. At the end of the hose is a triggered nozzle to administer the solvent into the system.
Can a new expansion valve be flushed after a compressor failure?
If the expansion valve (TXV or orifice tube) are in a system that requires flushing, the expansion valve needs to be replaced with a new unit. Also not able to be flushed: accumulator and receiver-drier. These, too, are on the replace-not-flush list.
Is there a way to flush an AC unit?
No. Unfortunately, there are some AC components that cannot be flushed. The very nature of the expansion valve removes it from flush potential. The solvent will not pass through efficiently, it will just collect.
After a catastrophic compressor failure the system must be flushed, otherwise the new air conditioning compressor could get damaged by all the debris released by the old locked up a/c compressor. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend closed loop flushing with refrigerant as a flushing agent.
What should I use to Flush my air compressor?
Most vehicle manufacturers recommend closed loop flushing with refrigerant as a flushing agent. A benefit of this type of flushing is there is no danger of flush contamination, since the flush agent being used is the correct refrigerant for the A/C system. Oil balance the system through the compressor.
Why does my air conditioner flush the condenser?
Also, air and moisture in an AC system react with the refrigerant to form acids and sludge that deposit in the condenser because it’s right after the compressor. In other words, the condenser, orifice tube screen, and expansion valve each act as a trash collector for the AC system.
Can You flush an AC condenser on an older car?
Older vehicles used tube and fin parallel flow condensers and you can flush an auto AC condenser on older vehicles with an AC flushing kit and tool. Unfortunately, tube and fin condensers aren’t nearly as efficient as newer serpentine and microchannel condensers, so carmakers switched in later years to improve AC efficiency.