Which A/C compressor should I get

Hi All,

I know there are many posts on A/C replacement but I need help choosing a compressor.
I had my mechanic replace my compressor, orifice tube, and dryer two years ago at 77,000 miles. My old compressor had a bad leak and needed replacement. I got a Denso compressor, new orifice tube, and dryer at RockAuto and my mechanic replaced it. Now, 2 years and 6,000 miles later the compressor blows cold but is rattling when the AC is engaged, sounds like there are rocks in the compressor and is getting worse. The compressor only had a one year warranty so I need a new one. What should I get? At RockAuto there are several options:

Delphi.
Four Seasons.
AC Delco Professional advantage.
AC Delco original OEM replacement.

Which compressor should I get so I don't spend anymore $$$ on this? The compressor that was replaced was a Delphi, not sure if this was the original that came with the car since I am the second owner. Should I just stick with the Delphi? I will also have my mechanic flush the system this time. I don't think he did this last time since everything leaked out and it was dry.

Thanks for your advice!

Sounds like you need the clutch not the compressor

Albertj

Doesn't seem to be the clutch. If you take the belt off their is no play in the pulley. The knocking sounds does not start until @ 15 minutes into the compressor running. It gets progressively louder until it maintains a steady sound. I used an auto stethoscope and the noise seems to be coming from the heart of the compressor itself.

I created this post because I have read that several members had replaced their compressors, I wanted to hear some feedback on which brands people had luck/success with.

Thanks

urbanski_m wrote:

Albertj

Doesn't seem to be the clutch.  If you take the belt off their is no play in the pulley.  The knocking sounds does not start until @ 15 minutes into the compressor running.  It gets progressively louder until it maintains a steady sound.  I used an auto stethoscope and the noise seems to be coming from the heart of the compressor itself.  

I created this post because I have read that several members had replaced their compressors, I wanted to hear some feedback on which brands people had luck/success with.  

Thanks

Got it, thanks for the details. Not sure what to suggest; the Delphi compressors, I had heard, were pretty good and after putting 2 Delcos on our Buick Rendezvous in quick succession has been the best lasting AC compressor. Our problem was the first replacement unit failed to compress (proper charge, no leaks, switch and clutch OK, just would not make cold) and the second got really noisy like what you're saying. The Delphi's been fine. For years.

albertj wrote:

urbanski_m wrote:

Albertj

Doesn't seem to be the clutch.  If you take the belt off their is no play in the pulley.  The knocking sounds does not start until @ 15 minutes into the compressor running.  It gets progressively louder until it maintains a steady sound.  I used an auto stethoscope and the noise seems to be coming from the heart of the compressor itself.  

I created this post because I have read that several members had replaced their compressors, I wanted to hear some feedback on which brands people had luck/success with.  

Thanks

Got it, thanks for the details. Not sure what to suggest; the Delphi compressors, I had heard, were pretty good and after putting 2 Delcos on our Buick Rendezvous in quick succession has been the best lasting AC compressor. Our problem was the first replacement unit failed to compress (proper charge, no leaks, switch and clutch OK, just would not make cold) and the second got really noisy like what you're saying. The Delphi's been fine. For years.

Thanks Albertj. That's good to know. When the Delphi Compressor was charged it worked quiet and blew ICE COLD, but all the refrigerant leaked out in about a month. I probably will go with the Delphi again, based on your experience. I expected more out of the Denso brand, especially since all of my Toyota's use their parts. Very disappointing.

urbanski_m wrote:

albertj wrote:

urbanski_m wrote:

Albertj

Doesn't seem to be the clutch.  If you take the belt off their is no play in the pulley.  The knocking sounds does not start until @ 15 minutes into the compressor running.  It gets progressively louder until it maintains a steady sound.  I used an auto stethoscope and the noise seems to be coming from the heart of the compressor itself.  

I created this post because I have read that several members had replaced their compressors, I wanted to hear some feedback on which brands people had luck/success with.  

Thanks

Got it, thanks for the details.  Not sure what to suggest; the Delphi compressors, I had heard, were pretty good and after putting 2 Delcos on our Buick Rendezvous in quick succession has been the best lasting AC compressor.  Our problem was the first replacement unit failed to compress (proper charge, no leaks, switch and clutch OK, just would not make cold) and the second got really noisy like what you're saying. The Delphi's been fine. For years.

Thanks Albertj.  That's good to know.  When the Delphi Compressor was charged it worked quiet and blew ICE COLD, but all the refrigerant leaked out in about a month.  I probably will go with the Delphi again, based on your experience.  I expected more out of the Denso brand, especially since all of my Toyota's use their parts.  Very disappointing.

dunno if this happens in your area, but one thing I have to watch for from some part stores is where someone buys a part and strips it then returns it. Or puts a cleaned up used one in the box. Or messes with the car while in-shop. That has happened to me.

One time I got an EGR valve, I was just curious, had opened it in the store and was toying with it. It looked funny and I could not figure out why. Something stupid like the can was silver instead of chromate green. Looked fine until I looked in the pintle. Yuck. I assume someone cleaned the the outside with throttle body cleaner and a toothbrush. Next one was new...

One time I had a top end overhaul on a 4cyl Dodge Turbo, and one of the dealer mechs swapped my good ASC compressor for his dog. I caught him installing mine on his car in the alley behind the dealer shop. Even though I had a photo of my engine bay (the compressor was a junkyard part and still had the yard paint ID on it) it was a tough day (for me at first but then for him with that photo...). I said lets call it a mistake; I don't know what the service manager did later.

I had one shop swap a valve body off a transmission on a GM car I had. Could not prove it, though. Found out later because one of the guy's coworkers over time became a friend of mine. They had left that shop because the other mechs were doing foul stuff like that.

Go get 'em...

Thanks for the advice albertj!

Just one more question about our A/C compressors. Under normal conditions are they supposed to cycle on and off or stay on constantly? The current one in my car, which is making the noise does not cycle.

Thanks for all your help.

They are rotary compressors with variable vanes (I think) that run darn near all the time.