Hi all – new guy here – bear with me

I have an '01 Cherokee Sport w/ 282,000 miles on it…been really good to me…and I hope to keep it running until I can put historic plates on it. But I'm no mechanic. I'm learning!....but everything I know has either come from a bit of basic tinkering w/ my Dad growing up, or learning things off of the internet.

Anyway – that said – the a/c compressor started to fail on my way home from vacation this year. I know this because it happened once before in '08. Now – while I love my jeep – it IS old…and it cost $1200 to fix it the last time. Pouring that kind of money out isn't something I (or my wife) was willing to do. So I thought this would be a good opportunity to get in there and figure out how to do it myself. I did the alternator last year, camshaft sensor earlier this year, both successful, so I was feeling reasonably confident I could figure it out. So I went online, watched a bunch of videos, read a lot, bought all the parts I thought I would need….came out to about $450 including a vac pump and gauges and all!

So last weekend I did the work – took me like….I dunno probably 8 hours to do it haha, but it was done….EXCEPT for getting the R134 in it. I had failed to get a puncture valve for the can I had so that bit had to wait til this past weekend. Anyway – I ordered that part but the important thing right then was – it all "worked!" I got everything back together, new compressor, new serpentine belt, new accumulator, new O-rings, compressor oil….as perfect as I could have hoped for. I drove it around without the refrigerant that weekend, everything great. Nice quiet running – a win…..right?

Well then the puncture valve arrived, I got out on Saturday morning, eager to just finish up the last bit here and get the refrigerant into the system (which holds vacuum no problem, btw – no leaks). That went fine until the compressor kicked on for the first time. Some sort of ding-ing noise going on in there. And I thought okay – well – it's new (yes – brand new compressor – not a rebuilt) maybe it just needs the kinks ironed out and the next time it comes on it'll run smooth. (naïve)

Nope – it actually looks like the pulley is wobbling now and the clattering, ding-ing noise is constant when the compressor clutch is NOT engaged. The moment the clutch is activated it runs smooth and silent. Shuts off again…..ding-a-ding-a-ding-a-ding….. Something definitely hitting something in there that it shouldn't be.

Now – it's a brand new part from AutoZone – so I SHOULD be able to return it I think, despite having tossed the little caps and such that came with it from the manufacturer etc when it appeared to be spinning happily away when first installed. But to do that, I'll have to take things back apart again and get the R134 back out, etc etc. Not loving that idea. I have the belt back off again now and when I spin the pulley by hand it's definitely got a point where I can feel / hear it rub and it rings slightly at that point. I have 2 videos (one running with the belt on, and one being turned by hand - links below) to show you guys what I'm talking about.

Anyone have any idea what's wrong? Think it's something "simple" I could patch up myself? Or should I just suck it up and try to return it to Autozone? Thought I would pick your brains before I did anything else. I've been a non-member snoop on here off and on for years and you all seem to be a helpful bunch.

Thanks all – sorry for the book I just wrote!

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9...VYZmtJeTZ6eDNZ

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9...dIbU5wWnhMM1pN

 

Return it. That one is AFU. Spin the pulley on the replacement compressor by hand at the store before leaving with it.

 

Someone most likely dropped that compressor at the part store and didn't tell anyone. I work ar advanced auto and that stupid **** happens all of the time

 

CCKen / shooptube - thank you for taking the time to respond here. Looks like I know what I'll be doing on Saturday. ::sigh:: Hope to have it all patched up just in time for the cold weather haha....

Anyway - much appreciated! Take care.

 

Sucks - always check parts thoroughly before even leaving the parts store.

I bought brand new u-joints, tore the front end apart, only to find that one of the ujoint caps was cracked somehow and was unusable. Had to put it all back together, drive 10 miles one-way to the parts store, and then drive home and do it all over again.

 

investinwaffles - THAT sucks. Ugh.

In this case I ordered the compressor from AutoZone online (saved me 20% off & free shipping) seemed like a good deal :sigh: Still - you're right - should have looked more carefully before putting it in! Oh well - learning experience, right? haha....

 

Live and learn, all you can really do in these situations

 

Remember to put in the correct amount of PAG oil for all the components.

 

If the right amount of oil was put in on the first go round , when you pull that bad compressor measure the oil that you can pour out and add a teaspoon more.