Dear nairalanders,
I have a 2004 Toyota avensis, two weeks ago my a/c pulley got damaged that it condemned my compressor and required a change. I searched for the new compressor of my car but could not find, so i resorted to the direct foreign used ones at Ikoku PH. After the installation of the compressor, my car A/C came back to normal and i was happy.

Two days later, I noticed that my a/c was blowing cold air for 20sec and hot for 5min. i took it back to the technician who checked for leakage ,but there was none. He later discovered that the gas in the a/c system was black and concluded that the system was dirty.

So on Saturday (just this Saturday),i bought another compressor, a brand new condenser with other accessories that was used to flush the system . I was made to understand that my compressor was the automatic (sensor) compressor and was advise to change to manual compressor.
Well for me, I felt since i had changed the compressor for the second time, with a new condenser, i have nothing to fear. So it was fixed and my car cooling system came back to life. Just this morning, the cooling system stopped, a check on the gas in the system showed same dirty, black fluid mixed with the a/c gas in the system. Infact it looks as if there is a grinding wire and seals .

Am just tired ,i have spent over 140k already ,yet no head way.
Has any one had experienced this and how was it resolved?
i need solutions if available. i would welcome any solution or suggestion.

from Port Harcourt

What you experienced is popularly known as 'black death' what I will suggest is, look for an AC tech that has vacuum pump. Let him flush the whole system again, change the filter inside the Condenser, possibly change the compressor again. Pull a vacuum then refill the gas.
You can browse more on black death for causes and solutions

Which gas una dey use?

olumzzz:
Which gas una dey use?

Very important question.
If its not HARP or JOHNSONs R134A , count me out.

olumzzz:
Which gas una dey use?

i use lobocool

chillex8:

Very important question.
If its not HARP or JOHNSONs R134A , count me out.

i was told of the HARP,i will try it this time.

Peppermintflav:
What you experienced is popularly known as 'black death' what I will suggest is, look for an AC tech that has vacuum pump. Let him flush the whole system again, change the filter inside the Condenser, possibly change the compressor again. Pull a vacuum then refill the gas.
You can browse more on black death for causes and solutions

Thank you very much for the insight. i read about the plague and i agree that is what my car is suffering from.
The questions is, what could be responsible for the black or grinding component? the compressor couldn't have grinded to produce black oil just like that without a specific cause....?
Today i had to change the vibrator(freezer),flushed the condenser with new filter and another compressor. This time, manual compressor.
Installation will be done tomorrow.

Many thanks to you all

Sebytec:


i use lobocool

Bad gas is a cause.
Use high quality gas instead.
Like Johnsens

olumzzz:

Bad gas is a cause.
Use high quality gas instead.
Like Johnsens

Johnsens without stopping leak is ok ,Refrigerant with stop leak is a no no cos ac manufacturer strongly warns against using stop leaks additives
Don't introduce any third party solvent not recommended by the manufacturer, all this wrong additives goes a long way in murdering your compressor .

Sebytec:


Thank you very much for the insight. i read about the plague and i agree that is what my car is suffering from.
The questions is, what could be responsible for the black or grinding component? the compressor couldn't have grinded to produce black oil just like that without a specific cause....?
Today i had to change the vibrator(freezer),flushed the condenser with new filter and another compressor. This time, manual compressor.
Installation will be done tomorrow.

Many thanks to you all

Don't reuse the old condenser cos technically a condenser cannot be flushed just go ahead to change it .
The grinding is indication of murdered compressor that got grounded cos of non adherence to standard practice in course installation.
People are too quick to blame the refrigerant brand ,the reality is refrigerant brand certified by the SON are still ok for use what about the cleanliness of the ac system cos it takes small very small minute of dirts and moisture to kill a compressor especially the VDC type
And during flushing , what is methof procedure adopted,what kind of solvent is being used to flush ? if it flushing solvent that leaves residue behind after use and the style of flushing is ladipo style then I am afraid don't expect the ac compressor to last .
What about the expansion valve, is it the right one that match the compressor ? Also is the refrigerant and oil measured to reflect the manufacturer recommendation cos not using the right quantity is enough to kill the compressor.
Finally the skill set of the technician goes a long way to determine the success of the installation,is he well equipped, can he analyze manifold Guage data , does he understand the concept of pressure temperature relation of ac system ,doesn he understand basic thermodynamics concept ? Unfortunately the reality on ground vehicle owners are having problem cos of the skill level of most of our technicians , they should not allowed to touch a refrigerant talkless of refilling ac system if it were to be a sane clime cos u can't fix what u don't understand cos the basic of ac is basic understanding of thermodynamics systems
All these factors are what will contribute to longevity of any ac installation .

autologic:

Don't reuse the old condenser cos technically a condenser cannot be flushed just go ahead to change it .
The grinding is indication of murdered compressor that got grounded cos of non adherence to standard practice in course installation.
People are too quick to blame the refrigerant brand ,the reality is refrigerant brand certified by the SON are still ok for use what about the cleanliness of the ac system cos it takes small very small minute of dirts and moisture to kill a compressor especially the VDC type
And during flushing , what is methof procedure adopted,what kind of solvent is being used to flush ? if it flushing solvent that leaves residue behind after use and the style of flushing is ladipo style then I am afraid don't expect the ac compressor to last .
What about the expansion valve, is it the right one that match the compressor ? Also is the refrigerant and oil measured to reflect the manufacturer recommendation cos not using the right quantity is enough to kill the compressor.
Finally the skill set of the technician goes a long way to determine the success of the installation,is he well equipped, can he analyze manifold Guage data , does he understand the concept of pressure temperature relation of ac system ,doesn he understand basic thermodynamics concept ? Unfortunately the reality on ground vehicle owners are having problem cos of the skill level of most of our technicians , they should not allowed to touch a refrigerant talkless of refilling ac system if it were to be a sane clime cos u can't fix what u don't understand cos the basic of ac is basic understanding of thermodynamics systems
All these factors are what will contribute to longevity of any ac installation .

Is flushing the same as vacuuming the system ??

Cos I know vacuuming is done with vacuum machine…

homeboy205:



Is flushing the same as vacuuming the system ??

Cos I know vacuuming is done with vacuum machine…

Vacuuming is not the same thing with flushing ?they are totally different processes ,vacuuming involves creating environmental condition that will remove moisture from the system using vaccum machine and manifold Guage while flushing is process of removing dirts and debris and it involves making of flushing kits ,flushing solvent and shop air .

Sebytec:


Thank you very much for the insight. i read about the plague and i agree that is what my car is suffering from.
The questions is, what could be responsible for the

black or grinding component

? the compressor couldn't have grinded to produce black oil just like that without a specific cause....?
Today i had to change the vibrator(freezer),flushed the condenser with new filter and another compressor. This time, manual compressor.
Installation will be done tomorrow.

Many thanks to you all

Lobocool is also a good gas and has nothing to do with the blackdeath in your system.

Change your suction and discharge rubber hoses. I don't know why people don't know this is one of the major components of ac part. Those hoses age with time and when they do the inner lining threads inside the hoses peels off and gets into your system.

This phenomenon occurs alot and damages compressors like mad, even if you buy a brand new compressor and condensers and even replace all parts without replacing those hoses the next compressor will fail again.

And one more thing, always use original ND 9 Tokyo Japan compressor oil and say goodbye to blackdeath in your system.

I too is having same problem right now.



I have a 2004 Toyota avensis, two weeks ago my a/c pulley got damaged that it condemned my compressor and required a change. I searched for the new compressor of my car but could not find, so i resorted to the direct foreign used ones at Ikoku PH. After the installation of the compressor, my car A/C came back to normal and i was happy.

Two days later, I noticed that my a/c was blowing cold air for 20sec and hot for 5min. i took it back to the technician who checked for leakage ,but there was none. He later discovered that the gas in the a/c system was black and concluded that the system was dirty.

So on Saturday (just this Saturday),i bought another compressor, a brand new condenser with other accessories that was used to flush the system . I was made to understand that my compressor was the automatic (sensor) compressor and was advise to change to manual compressor.
Well for me, I felt since i had changed the compressor for the second time, with a new condenser, i have nothing to fear. So it was fixed and my car cooling system came back to life. Just this morning, the cooling system stopped, a check on the gas in the system showed same dirty, black fluid mixed with the a/c gas in the system. Infact it looks as if there is a grinding wire and seals .

Am just tired ,i have spent over 140k already ,yet no head way.
Has any one had experienced this and how was it resolved?
i need solutions if available. i would welcome any solution or suggestion.

from Port Harcourt[/quote]