Jim McClain
Full Access Member
Coming back from Reno yesterday and thinking my air conditioner isn't blowing as cool as it used to. Then I noticed it kept blowing even less cool air and before long, it wasn't even cool air, it was more warm air. It's late afternoon, still pretty warm outside, but I opened driver and passenger windows and the outside air seemed cooler than the air coming from my A/C.
As I got closer to the state line, I began to smell something odd. I wasn't sure what it was, but it did smell like something burning. Not plastic, but something with a strange odor. Maybe it could be the remnants of a forest/brush fire, which we've had plenty of. So, as I pulled into the agri-inspection station, I asked the officer on duty if there was a fire nearby, or was my Jeep smoking. She didn't seem to know, but she did say she couldn't see any smoke coming from my "car." Well see, right there it's obvious she's just another gov'ment clueless hack... car, yeah right.
When I got home, I popped the hood and saw what looked like something black and wet right around the compressor. I poked at it gently with my finger, expecting it to burn the shit outa me, but it was dry. Well, not regular dry, but almost a sticky dry. It almost looks like someone spritzed a little black spray paint. But there was no transfer to my finger and it wasn't hot at all.
I went to my mechanic this morning and he took about 20 seconds to determine I need a new A/C compressor. Said it didn't look like I lost any fluid, but the belt is also a bit worn and has a small chunk or chip out of the edge (maybe more, but he didn't turn the belt to see the rest of it), so I should also order a new belt. He says he has any o-rings and gaskets that might be necessary.
There's several choices for compressors. Any recommendations? What about a condenser? He said I didn't really need one, but, of course, all the parts places want you to buy a condenser too, so I don't feel like I'm getting an unbiased opinion there. What do you think? I haven't placed any orders yet, but I'm anxious to get this fixed and I want to do it right.
As I got closer to the state line, I began to smell something odd. I wasn't sure what it was, but it did smell like something burning. Not plastic, but something with a strange odor. Maybe it could be the remnants of a forest/brush fire, which we've had plenty of. So, as I pulled into the agri-inspection station, I asked the officer on duty if there was a fire nearby, or was my Jeep smoking. She didn't seem to know, but she did say she couldn't see any smoke coming from my "car." Well see, right there it's obvious she's just another gov'ment clueless hack... car, yeah right.
When I got home, I popped the hood and saw what looked like something black and wet right around the compressor. I poked at it gently with my finger, expecting it to burn the shit outa me, but it was dry. Well, not regular dry, but almost a sticky dry. It almost looks like someone spritzed a little black spray paint. But there was no transfer to my finger and it wasn't hot at all.
I went to my mechanic this morning and he took about 20 seconds to determine I need a new A/C compressor. Said it didn't look like I lost any fluid, but the belt is also a bit worn and has a small chunk or chip out of the edge (maybe more, but he didn't turn the belt to see the rest of it), so I should also order a new belt. He says he has any o-rings and gaskets that might be necessary.
There's several choices for compressors. Any recommendations? What about a condenser? He said I didn't really need one, but, of course, all the parts places want you to buy a condenser too, so I don't feel like I'm getting an unbiased opinion there. What do you think? I haven't placed any orders yet, but I'm anxious to get this fixed and I want to do it right.
