Compressor leak

CRAZYTOM

MEMBER
2005 DODGE CARAVAN
V6
FWD
AUTOMATIC
155,000 MILES

AC no longer cooling. Took to mechanic, who used UV to find leak in the compressor. Mechanic advising complete AC rebuild kit rather than simple compressor replacement, as concern is debris may have contaminated the system. Is this a reasonable conclusion? Vehicle has front and rear AC, putting complete rebuild at $1,800.00.

Wednesday, June 14th, 2017 AT 6:50 PM

2 Replies

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,005 POSTS

Just my opinion,

As long as the compressor did not lock up (which might scatter debris through the lines) and it was just a leak that made it non-functional,

I would just replace the compressor and evacuate the system with a vacuum pump.

I have seen many a junkyard compressor open to the atmosphere for a quite a while, be installed and work just fine.

Other folks on here may jump in with theirs.

The Medic

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Wednesday, June 14th, 2017 AT 7:45 PM

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

I would go with a replacement compressor as well, if you get a second hand unit make sure that it is off a system that has not be open to the atmosphere for very long, if your system runs a receiver dryer get that replaced as well as this also acts as a filter for the system. Make sure that the system is vacuumed down and the correct amount of refrigerant is added this is very important for the system to work correctly.

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Saturday, June 17th, 2017 AT 2:43 AM