Compressor Slugging

I’ve noticed recently on first startup after a hot shut down my compressor makes noise on startup and is “slugging” because liquid refrigerant is accumulating in the compressor.... from what I understand the new one I put in is now destroyed because of this and it’s time to replace the system again....lasted about a month. my only question is how do I prevent this on the 3rd compressor? Charge was weighed in and pressures were correct when running.

It seems liquid refrigerant is migrating to the compressor upon shut down.

Refrigerant migration is a tough thing to deal with when the compressor is mounted at the bottom of the engine. Refrigerant migrates to the coldest place and when the interior reaches a high it moves to the compressor. The only thing I could recommend is to warm the engine up before starting the ac.

gixer2000 said:

Refrigerant migration is a tough thing to deal with when the compressor is mounted at the bottom of the engine. Refrigerant migrates to the coldest place and when the interior reaches a high it moves to the compressor. The only thing I could recommend is to warm the engine up before starting the ac.

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Now I’m wondering how long it’s been doing this as I just started paying attention....the new compressor still seems to be working fine so I’ll try that. Hopefully it’s not too late.

The accumulator should be boiling off the liquid going back to the compressor but doesn't do much when the system isn't running. Slugging is a very common thing in GM cars and Ford may have some programming to deal with how the compressor starts on a fresh startup. I'll do some research for ya and see what I can find

gixer2000 said:

The accumulator should be boiling off the liquid going back to the compressor but doesn't do much when the system isn't running. Slugging is a very common thing in GM cars and Ford may have some programming to deal with how the compressor starts on a fresh startup. I'll do some research for ya and see what I can find

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Thanks gixer. My next question is, assuming it’s been doing this since the install should I plan to replace the compressor or not? Through research some say it certainly needs replacing and some say not so much.

Check this out J. Ive never noticed a slugging issue on my 07 so I suspect something is up like maybe too much oil in your lines causing your issue. So I would have a look at this.

http://www.4s.com/en/marketing/psp-solutions/the-deslugger/

These are like $45 on Amazon/eBay so I would give it a go unless you want to attempt to flush your entire system to get out any excess oil. Chances are oil is your issue

JExpedition07 said:

Thanks gixer. My next question is, assuming it’s been doing this since the install should I plan to replace the compressor or not? Through research some say it certainly needs replacing and some say not so much.

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If the compressor is still performing as it should I wouldn't touch it. Its possible internal damage has been done but it will always show a decrease in performance so if it works as it should then leave it be. Now if you get close to the warranty ending on the compressor I personally would swap it just because my luck stinks and it woild go south the day after expiration

gixer2000 said:

If the compressor is still performing as it should I wouldn't touch it. Its possible internal damage has been done but it will always show a decrease in performance so if it works as it should then leave it be. Now if you get close to the warranty ending on the compressor I personally would swap it just because my luck stinks and it woild go south the day after expiration

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Still works well. This control you linked seems to be a good soloution. It came with a 2yr warranty so I’ll play it by ear, if I have to I’ll swap out later.

This morning I let the truck run for 5 minutes before I started the air. No noise and started smooth so I guess it does the trick getting the area warm. The compressor and drier both came with a 24 month warranty so I may take your advice and swap them just before the warranty is up...I think that control is the ticket gixer thanks for the help. Talked to my dad who did refrigeration about it this morning and like you he said to leave the compressor in for now. He said the valves in the compressor will take a lot of abuse before they go and this ones only a little over a month old. Said for now to just stop the slugging from occurring and go from there.