PFB

Even if all of the refrigerant escaped, the vast majority of the oil stays behind.

808mcv20l

When you have the serpentine belt off you can try turning the compressor pulley manually if there are any noises as someone mentioned earlier.

You won't be able to engage the compressor clutch without a charge of refrigerant in there.

The service manual does say that you can disassemble the pulley and test the clutch by hooking it up to a power source, but I'd replace it if I were in doubt.

It is likely that some oil will be lost if you have a leak in the system, but as a mentioned the compressor clutch will stop engaging once enough refrigerant has leaked out, so I doubt it would have continued spewing out oil till it was bone dry.

I would follow these steps if it were me:
1)replace alternator, reassemble and verify new alternator is good
2)Check AC system for pressure, (check by testing from low side AC service port)
3)depending on above, repair leak and evac system, verify that it's holding a vaccum.
4) slowly add 134a to system until you hear the Compressor clutch kick in.

If between #1 and 2, if there are noises coming from the compressor after replacing the alternator, it's likely the compressor is damaged and also needs replacing.

andygol13

Thanks for the great feedback!

mmatheny

You can jumper the low pressure switch connector to get the clutch to engage.

andygol13

I found out that my AC compressor needs to be replaced. I've read that if all of the freon leaks out, the unit can be damaged because the freon carries the lubricant for the AC compressor. I'm pretty my freon leaked out at the condenser. I had to use my defrost which turns on the compressor?

Any experts out there that can confirm the AC compressor can be damaged in this situation? It's in the repair shop that din't fix it right the first time.

Thanks!

pauloil

any action running AC clicks on the compressor. your whole post sounded like the compressor was singing, Hearing that they said that was bad, is no surprise. they will have to do a leak down test after they replace the compressor. If there are no leaks, then they can fill the system with freon. tell them you think the condensor in front of the radiator is leaking, and why you believe this.