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Joined
Dec 11, 2019 · 7 Posts
Discussion Starter · #1 ·
May 23, 2020 Folks, my AC has been blowing warm air for the past week. Took in for a check up and was told that the compressor + clutch needs replacement. But they are not sure whether anything else needed replacement until the entire assembly is out. I am inclined to get a new compressor kit, including the clutch. What would you recommend? Would one of the
following be ok: 2014 NISSAN PATHFINDER 3.5L V6 A/C Compressor & Component Kit | RockAuto Is it necessary to get the condenser too? thanks - Cy
2019 Nissan Pathfinder SV 4x4 Joined Oct 21, 2019 ·
1,688 Posts
Rebuilds can be junk right out of the box. Total hit/miss like anything else. I'd call a shop you trust and ask what they recommend using.
Joined Dec 11, 2019
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7 Posts
Joined Mar 16, 2016
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45 Posts
I took the risk and bought a used one on ebay. Changed the a/c receiver and has been working okay for over a year. Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
Joined Dec 11, 2019
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7 Posts
Discussion Starter · #5 · May 24, 2020
Hello, just an update. Before jumping the gun and getting a new compressor, I recalled the previous technician mention that my compressor was not engaging. I took it around for a second opinion at Firestone. The diagnosis is attached..basically they are saying there is a "bad ground from wiring harness" and are referring me to the dealer. So
I plan to head there..but has anyone heard of this type of issue connected to our AC system and compressors? Thanks, cY
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2015 Pathfinder SL - Tech 4WD
Joined Dec 15, 2014
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3,587 Posts
Before spending all that money, make sure someone "truly" checks that yours needs replacing. If a compressor breaks internally it would have made lots of ugly noise before dying. If it is worn and it is not compressing to gas to the right pressure, that is something that doesn't happen overnight, you would have felt that it was not cooling properly. These vehicles have many controls that will shut off the compressor, high and low pressure are the most common ones. Jumping the compressor to see if it runs and cools will tell you right away if the issue is/isn't the compressor, but I have never done it on a Pathfinder. A ground issue is possible but I fear that if you take it to the dealer they will
tell you you need to replace the compressor... and your brakes.... and you air filters....
Many shops replace these compressors as they make lots of money on it, but many times it is not needed.
Another thing that fails is the magnet that makes the clutch engage. This magnet is mounted on the compressor and CAN BE replaced by someone that is curious enough (I've done it on a Mazda).
Sometimes the mechanical seal fails and you lose all the gas through there. You should see lots of oil in the engine bay around where the compressor is mounted as there is oil mixed with the
refrigerant. The mechanical seal can also be replaced but it is not worth doing it, in this case is best to replace the compressor.
Joined Jun 5, 2018
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97 Posts
so my 2003 pathfinder had a varible capacity compressor. mine slowly didnt work as well and freon looked nornal. really threw me because how do you diagnose this. And no one seemed to even know.
Yes I purchased a replacement kit from Rock auto. Yes it fixed the problem.
only words of warning, double check oil in old compressor and match in new
compressor. Check they didn't ship it full assuming you are replacing condenser and expansion valves and flushing system. ie a dry system.
Joined Jan 29, 2018
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24 Posts
People with AC compressor issues, what year Pathfinders do you have? Mine is a 2018 with 45k miles. Living in Michigan I dont use the AC much if at all. A few weeks ago, pressed the AC button and it did not cool down. Turned it on and off and nothing engaging. Took it to the dealership and thinking my extended warranty covered it but no. The service guy said
its a common issue with the R52 and pointed at another 2017 Pathfinder in the shop getting a compressor replaced.
Joined May 8, 2013
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110 Posts
People with AC compressor issues, what year Pathfinders do you have? Mine is a 2018 with 45k miles. Living in Michigan I dont use the AC much if at all. A few weeks ago, pressed the AC button and it did not cool down. Turned it on and off and nothing engaging. Took it to the dealership and thinking my extended warranty covered it but
no. The service guy said its a common issue with the R52 and pointed at another 2017 Pathfinder in the shop getting a compressor replaced. Did you read your extended warranty to see what it does and does not cover or are you taking the dealerships word for it? You have to be your own advocate and fact check so you can throw it in their face. Is your warranty a nissan extended or an aftermarket?
2019 Nissan Pathfinder SV 4x4
Joined Oct 21, 2019
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1,688 Posts
I'd be very wary of a dealer "bad compressor" diagnosis. If it is indeed the compressor, you're talking a ridiculously expensive repair as the system needs to be flushed clean of failure debris and any dryer or filters should be replaced. I'd would troubleshoot more towards a line leak somewhere first, and it's usually associated with
the rear a/c lines or in the rear right corner of the pathfinder, where the rear evaporator coil connects. I've never heard of an extended warranty that didn't cover a/c issues. I guess buyer beware. Make sure you read and understand the terms of the contract. FWIW, the aftermarket extended warranty I bought with my 2016 Nissan Quest through the Nissan dealer covered $1200 dollars worth of A/C work on that van in 2018 when it had about 60K miles on it. It was a line leak for the
rear A/C system.
2015 Pathfinder SL - Tech 4WD
Joined Dec 15, 2014
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3,587 Posts
I can't still believe how easily dealers diagnose "bad compressor". It is rare for a compressor that new to go bad. These can last more than 200k km before losing efficiency, and they will still work.
Dealers love to change these because they make a lot of money on them and not many people know how to troubleshoot AC systems.
Check first the fine print
on your warranty and if not covered, take it to a specialized AC shop.
Joined Jan 29, 2018
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24 Posts
Thought it would be covered since the compressor is bolted to the engine. It was a complimentary power train extended warranty. Nissan offered it to me when my car died after two months of ownership.
Joined May 18, 2021
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1 Posts
My car had the same problem like yours before. I bought my compressor from OKmarts instead of a local auto repair shop at a lower price. You may check the compressors on their website.
Joined Nov 25, 2020
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693 Posts
A few things here. These problems are normally pretty easy to diagnose. I've done a million compressors and rarely just do the clutch. For one, the Nissan clutch is like $400 or $500 and if the vehicle has high miles, they might as well do the compressor then. If the fans turn on with AC, it probably has enough refrigerant (freon is a brand) and
the pressure sensor is ok with how much it has in it or it wouldn't work. Static pressures should be about the same as ambient temp with AC off. The clutch should be activated with the ac on and if it isn't, check for good power and ground at the clutch (look up voltage drop test, the only valid test). I've never seen a ground issue here but of course it's possible. Aftermarket is going to be tricky here with what we know about the ac auto amp not working well with some. Sent
from my moto g fast using Tapatalk
Joined Dec 16, 2020
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147 Posts
Interesting conversation here. Thanks. The AC Comp on our 2013 Pf is "humming" and the fan is noisy. Also we thoight as higher Temps are here maybe getting a refridgerant top up or change would be a good idea? The car has done 89500 miles. Welcome all views on this.