Average lifespan of A/C compresor and high pressure hose?

DanaCat · Jan 10th, 2005, 03:30 PM

Can anyone please give me an idea of how long your A/C compressor and high pressure A/C hose is lasting (and whether its factory-installed or dealer installed aftermarket)? I have an 89 Nissan truck that I bought brand new. The truck came with a dealer installed aftermarket A/C system (instead of a factory installed A/C system ((I'll NEVER do that again!)), and within 5 years the compressor was rattling noisily and the expansion valve was stuck (1100.00 later I had working A/C again). At the truck age of 13, the high pressure hose went bad, and within a few months of that being repaired the newer compressor started it's rattling again. 18 months after that, the high pressure hose went bad again (267,000 miles on the truck at this point). It seems the only thing breaking on my Nissan is the aftermarket parts

(Nissan won't put on genuine Nissan parts because it wasn't factory installed, the parts don't match ((why can't Nissan dealers install genuine Nissan A/C system parts in the first place, infringement on the factory workers' jobs ???))
Or is this average no matter who installed the A/C system, that I should be lucky i haven't had more problems with it?

**88pathoffroad** · Jan 11th, 2005, 01:45 AM

I'd say with 267,000 miles in it, you're doing about average. I take it you use the AC a lot. That'll do it...

OBYWAN · Jan 11th, 2005, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanaCat

Can anyone please give me an idea of how long your A/C compressor and high pressure A/C hose is lasting (and whether its factory-installed or dealer installed aftermarket)? I have an 89 Nissan truck that I bought brand new. The truck came with a dealer installed aftermarket A/C system (instead of a factory installed A/C system ((I'll NEVER do that again!)), and within 5 years the compressor was rattling noisily and the expansion valve was stuck (1100.00 later I had working A/C again). At the truck age of 13, the high pressure hose went bad, and within a few months of that being repaired the newer compressor started it's rattling again. 18 months after that, the high pressure hose went bad again (267,000 miles on the truck at this point). It seems the only thing breaking on my Nissan is the aftermarket parts

(Nissan won't put on genuine Nissan parts because it wasn't factory installed, the parts don't match ((why can't Nissan dealers install genuine Nissan A/C system parts in the first place, infringement on the factory workers' jobs ???))
Or is this average no matter who installed the A/C system, that I should be lucky i haven't had more problems with it?

No. 1, think about it, you've got 267,000 miles on your ride. Don't you think that's telling you something about the quality of Nissan's? The after market stuff is really crappy most of the time. I had an '87 hardbody with all original equipment and never had a problem with it (sold it after 157,000 miles)

DanaCat · Jan 11th, 2005, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88pathoffroad

I'd say with 267,000 miles in it, you're doing about average. I take it you use the AC a lot. That'll do it...

Yeah, down here in Houston the three basic necessities of life are FOOD,WATER, and A/C! I forget other parts of the country have real seasons...

SPEEDO · Jan 11th, 2005, 01:38 PM

when I bought my truck (86.5 Z24i) it was a plain jane, so I added factory a/c (best money I've spent) after 19yrs it still works great! freezes your hands on the steering wheel and it hasnt been touched since it was installed.
and if you ever have been in Phoenix in the summer..... you'll understand. the day it 122 degress I drove around just to stay cool

DanaCat · Jan 11th, 2005, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPEEDO

when I bought my truck (86.5 Z24i) it was a plain jane, so I added factory a/c (best money I've spent) after 19yrs it still works great! freezes your hands on the steering wheel and it hasnt been touched since it was installed.
and if you ever have been in Phoenix in the summer..... you'll understand. the day it 122 degress I drove around just to stay cool

Ok, SPEEDO, you make me want to yank the whole **** aftermarket A/C, and see if I can install the factory Nissan A/C system (hmmm, I wonder if that is possible...)

Cusser · Jan 12th, 2005, 02:27 PM

Speedo, I'm in Phoenix too, and remember well that 122 degree day. My 1998 Frontier AC is still great, but on my 1998 Mazda truck the compressor was bad (noise) when I purchased it in 1994 40K miles (I replaced it myself, I have a vacuum pump) and that one went bad in 2003 105 k miles (seized up) so I got another compressor and replaced it again, along with drier replacements each time and a condenser flush the second time; also at that time, I had the high pressure hose fixed (slow leak there at fitting) for $50 by AC Source at 26th st. & Bell. A few years ago my kid and I also replaced the evaporator with one from www.ackits.com (AAA Mobile Air in Phoenix). I've stayed with R-12 each time as I still have some saved, used mineral oil. Make sure to get either a new compressor or a quality rebuilt from Air Pro (available from the two sources listed above). I'd say you've had good life with the AC; here in Phoenix we use it about 90% we drive our vehicles, get a lot of use. My old 1984 Jeep Cherokee compressor seized up at 75K miles.

DanaCat · Jan 12th, 2005, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cusser

Speedo, I'm in Phoenix too, and remember well that 122 degree day. My 1998 Frontier AC is still great, but on my 1998 Mazda truck the compressor was bad (noise) when I purchased it in 1994 40K miles (I replaced it myself, I have a vacuum pump) and that one went bad in 2003 105 k miles (seized up) so I got another compressor and replaced it again, along with drier replacements each time and a condenser flush the second time; also at that time, I had the high pressure hose fixed (slow leak there at fitting) for $50 by AC Source at 26th st. & Bell. A few years ago my kid and I also replaced the evaporator with one from www.ackits.com (AAA Mobile Air in Phoenix). I've stayed with R-12 each time as I still have some saved, used mineral oil. Make sure to get either a new compressor or a quality rebuilt from Air Pro (available from the two sources listed above). I'd say you've had good life with the AC; here in Phoenix we use it about 90% we drive our vehicles, get a lot of use. My old 1984 Jeep Cherokee compressor seized up at 75K miles.

Cusser, that's a cool trick! Purchasing a 1998 Mazda truck in 1994, I mean.

Just playing..lol. Seriously, thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

SPEEDO · Jan 13th, 2005, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanaCat

Ok, SPEEDO, you make me want to yank the whole **** aftermarket A/C, and see if I can install the factory Nissan A/C system (hmmm, I wonder if that is possible...)

I suppose you could, try Tim at Riteway Auto Parts (wrecking yard) 1-800-873-8733 for the compressor,evap and the lines & hoses,(have the hoses re-made,there has to be shop by you,(ask some of the auto shops or body shops) I would call your local radiator shop for the condenser (they sell them to body shops) then maybe call your local Nissan dealer for the dryer. oh, dont forget the a/c idler pulley and maybe the compressor mounting bracket. the evap should come with the case and the expansion valve (may want to replace it) if your ac has leaked down already and if you pull it out yourself you should have no trouble putting the factory set up back in, then just have tested for leaks and charged! or have your existing hoses re-made and see if you can find a better compressor/dryer and go from there. oh by the way I have to agree with you on the season thing... we go from fall to he!! I mean hot!