Aircondition

[cutfinger Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close cutfinger]

Just had the evaporator replaced on the 120D4D now the compressor is noisy when it kicks in for the air, sounds like it is in the clutch on the compressor,change the compressor or maybe repair,your comments please

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

Have you checked the belt tension?

[cutfinger Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close cutfinger]

Yes,& I have just noticed the air seems to cycle in short periods ,eaven when you start the car as it is brining the temperature down, thank for the reply John

[topic97 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topic97]

It will be the head pressure that's causing the issues, it will be engaging the high pressure switch which turns the system off to prevent damage.
High head pressures also causes compressor "clattering" on rotary vain compressors, which is what you are hearing.

Two things can cause this - incorrect refrigerant charge, or insufficient airflow on the condenser.
Double check that the electric fan on the condenser is working ok - which I would imagine it would be given they haven't touched it.
But my money is on that they have put way too much gas in.

Best also to avoid running it if you can, it will be putting a lot of stress on the system when the compressor is on.

[cutfinger Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close cutfinger]

Thank you topic97 had the air mob back they decanted the gas from the system adding more oil with the new gas but at this stage nothing has changed looks like a new compressor the Prado has done 160th Kay's,they suggest replacing rather then repair

[cutfinger Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close cutfinger]

The kilometers are 260th Kay's my mistake

[topic97 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topic97]

Hmm, seems particularly coincidental that the compressor goes the same time that you have had your evaporator replaced.
So what was the original complaint? Leaking evaporator I gather?

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

If the compressor was not noisy before the evaporator was replaced, then I would
be asking why it was noisy after they had done their work?

The above assumes you weren't driving around for months with no charge in the
aircon system?

[topic97 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topic97]

It just seems particularly curious to me, that if the compressor wasn't making noises before he had the work done that it now does.
The issues with the compressor cutting in & out rapidly coupled with it making noises to me - without looking at the car - points directly to high head pressure & would be the first thing I would be looking at.

Now it is possible that the TX(expansion) valve may need replacing too - its quite often that when they are disturbed that they can cause you dramas.
And the TX valves on Toyos are bolted directly to the evaporators.
If they aren't working correctly, it can cause issues when charging the system as they will give inconsistent readings on the high & low pressure gauges.

The other thing is too that causes high head pressures(and therefore compressor noise) is insufficient airflow.

If they have done the job correctly they should have replaced the receiver drier/dessicant filter, as its a legal requirement from ARC to do so when a system has been opend & then re-gassed with R134a.
Now I have been out of the game for a few years so not fully up to date with the workings of the Prado systems, but from memory the 120 runs a dessicant filter in the condenser & if so the condenser has to be removed to replace it.
This means that its possible the electric fan hasnt been reconnected & could be causing dramas.

Lastly(and hopefully not), im curious to see what sort of refrigerant they have charged the system with.
Its also possible that they havent used R134a and have used some other gas blend - which a lot of later model vehicles dont like & can cause inconsistent performance, pressures & ultimately lead to compressor damage.

Having said all that, its also entirely possible as Leigh said that you had a low charge for months & were using an ac system with low refrigerant, which in turn wont allow correct circulation for refrigerant oil.
But thats highly unlikely as the compressor usually has a decent reserve of oil in it.

But then it could all also be entirely coincidental that this has happened too.

The above is all just educated guesses after years in the trade & its really hard to diagnose without having the vehicle in front of me.
Best bet is to take it into another reputable A/C place, don't mention to them about any work that has been done & ask them if they can test it.

[cutfinger Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close cutfinger]

Thanks again for your replies,the Prado was on o 500ky trip when the air stopped working at the beginning of the trip with the air only just working,it ran for the complete trip & I was told that it had very little gas in it when they recharge it,they replaced the dryer at the same time as the evaporator, I trust the repairer he has a good name & is recommended by theRACQ. Forgot to say the system was regassed about 4 months prior to this when they could not find a leak,with dye in the system the were able to determine that it was the evaporator so it would have been running low on gas for some time before this also thankin you John

[topic97 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topic97]

Thanks again for your replies,the Prado was on o 500ky trip when the air stopped working at the beginning of the trip with the air only just working,it ran for the complete trip & I was told that it had very little gas in it when they recharge it,they replaced the dryer at the same time as the evaporator, I trust the repairer he has a good name & is recommended by theRACQ. Forgot to say the system was regassed about 4 months prior to this when they could not find a leak,with dye in the system the were able to determine that it was the evaporator so it would have been running low on gas for some time before this also thankin you John

Now days its unusual for compressors to fail due to low gas as they have a low pressure cut out switch too.
But having said that, I wonder what refrigerant they used when they recharged the system to find the leak?

[cutfinger Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close cutfinger]

Just to let you know topic97 finally got a new compressor fitted, all good now going to pull the old one apart not that I will know what failed unless it is very obvious all up with a new evaporator & compressor just under $1300 , I learnt how to change a fan belt in the process very easy when watching how to do it. John

[topic97 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topic97]

Nah, it probably wont be obvious to the un-trained eye.
Often it will just be the smallest particle of metal that will cause you greif - unless they seize completely....

Thats a pretty good price for all that work to be honest - and you now have warranty on your AC again!
Plus, Learning how to change a belt is bloody handy!
Tip on them too, if you aren't accustomed to how serpentine belts run, its handy to draw up a diagram and keep it in your glovebox should you need to change it in the future too!

[cutfinger Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close cutfinger]

Thanks ,reference to the belt there is a diagram of the way the belt runs under the bonnet, once again thanks for your imput

[Blair1604 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Blair1604]

Just had the evaporator replaced on the 120D4D now the compressor is noisy when it kicks in for the air, sounds like it is in the clutch on the compressor,change the compressor or maybe repair,your comments please

Hi, regarding the evaporator change out, did they manage to do it without taking the whole dash apart?
Do you mind if i ask how much this cost?