The AC in my fire rod '96 855R was not working well, so I had it examined.

Isabel needs a new evaporator (it was replaced 11 years ago by my dealer) - and - she needs a new compressor as well.

I hope to put my decision off until next summer, She has 155,000 miles on her and needs no other repairs at this time.

What should do about the compressor? Right now it is shut off using the switch on the dash.

Should I let it cycle once and a while?

Your ideas or input is requested.
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'96 855R,'64 PV544 driver, '67 P1800 basket case, '72 Yamaha Rd400, '68 Honda 350-4, '12 XC70, the first 5 are mine, heh, heh, 525,000 miles put on 10 bricks James A Sousa

Depending on the size of the leak, you could just add a can of r134a once in a while to kick the can down the road for a few years.

Do you need a new compressor or just adjust the clutch? You can shim the clutch easily with the bread clip method, takes about 30 minutes or less.

Having the switch off does not completely disable the AC, putting the vent control on defrost will engage the compressor (unless the pressure in the system is to low).

You know that it will cost 10 hours of labor to replace the evaporator, plus a few good parts. My dealer is over $2K for that.

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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

Thanks for the reply Klaus.

I'll have to find out what they did to check the AC - I'm afraid that they pulled a vacuume and made the leak worse.

I should have just tried a recharge. It ran for 11 years without service.

I do not think it is the clutch as it seems to cycle ok and does not make any noise.

My main question is whether the compressor might seize up if I run it once in a while or not.

I tend to maintain my cars well and keep them too long - I REALLY like my 855R!

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'96 855R,'64 PV544 driver, '67 P1800 basket case, '72 Yamaha Rd400, '68 Honda 350-4, '12 XC70, the first 5 are mine, heh, heh, 525,000 miles put on 10 bricks James A Sousa

My thought is to recharge it and then run the AC once a month or so during the cold months. That should keep the rest of the AC system parts operational. If the compressor does seize what have you got to lose? You said the compressor needs replacing anyway.

If you're lucky, as Klaus said, you can keep recharging it as needed for the life of the car...

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95 855 GLT Sportwagon 218k, 90 244 DL 300k - after 11 years has a new home