A/C compressor

[Ezzie]

The car is having the condenser replaced (thank you forum for helping with this) but I think my compressor is noisier than I remember… has anyone else noticed it’s generally noisy (it’s a 2005 BTW)… and anyone replace this… was it a big job?

Cheers 

Ez 

[katabrontes]

I had a compressor fail on my Saab 900 about 25 years ago.  It was an expensive replacement (about £850 as I recall).  Because the blades had broken up and jammed the compressor there was a lot of debris in the A/C system which had to be flushed and the filter changed as well.  As yours still works it might be possible to have the compressor rebuilt but the system will still need to be flushed etc.  As this will be needed for the condenser anyway it would be wise to replace the compressor at the same time.

[Ezzie]

1 hour ago, katabrontes said:

I had a compressor fail on my Saab 900 about 25 years ago.  It was an expensive replacement (about £850 as I recall).  Because the blades had broken up and jammed the compressor there was a lot of debris in the A/C system which had to be flushed and the filter changed as well.  As yours still works it might be possible to have the compressor rebuilt but the system will still need to be flushed etc.  As this will be needed for the condenser anyway it would be wise to replace the compressor at the same time.

Thanks for the reply, makes sense. Mines working but not cold enough…

Interested to hear about your Saab 900, I just sold a Classic Saab 900T16 convertible and have kept the Monte Carlo Classic 900S. I also had a 2nd gen 900 bought with non working A/C. Took it to a refrigerant specialist who also happened to love Saabs, so he rebuilt the A/C system for the price of parts! I’ll never forget that generosity… 

[Herbie]

3 hours ago, Ezzie said:

The car is having the condenser replaced (thank you forum for helping with this) but I think my compressor is noisier than I remember… has anyone else noticed it’s generally noisy (it’s a 2005 BTW)… and anyone replace this… was it a big job?

Cheers 

Ez 

It's not something to be taken lightly because it's not driven from the engine by a belt, but instead is driven by a 500V 3-phase AC motor which is part of the compressor so you can't replace either part individually.

Before throwing any money at it get the OBD codes read and see if it flags anything up. If it does, then that's our starting point for further diagnostics.

[Ezzie]

Thanks, good thinking… it’s going to the garage tonight and I’ll chat with the mechanic… I’ll suggest using the OBD. Sounds like it’s going to cost me a pretty penny 🙄 
 

Thanks again… 

[katabrontes]

Hi Ezzie

 

interstingto hear about your Saabs.  I had quite a few Up to 2002 when I sold my 900 turbo (1989).  I kept it long after it cost more to maintain than it was worth as I loved it.  It had to go after we kept catching the exhaust on bumps in the road after a trip toFrance when we had loaded it with a lot of wine.  I changed it for a  big Toyota 4x4 and that one went when the AC condenser went and it would have cost £1K to have a new one made.  Then moved up to Lexus RX350 and love it.  I will keep it until it breaks or HMG makes everything illegal.