My York compressor using R12 gas is less than 4 years old (claimed to be new aftermarket and not remanufactured by mechanic) and is slowly leaking oil, and is cooling OK, but today it made such loud "klunk" noises - very metallic sounding - and froth was observed in the aircon dryer window - so I shut the aircon off. I estimate that the compressor has less than 250 hours use! However, a few months ago the compressor clutch (old original clutch was put on new compressor by mechanic) locked on permanently and compressor and a hose iced up. Then mechanic put on new clutch. Then a few months later an old aircon hose ruptured. So my new compressor is taking a beating.

About a month ago I got advice from the aircon mechanic that leaking oil cant hurt the compressor - he said that if the oil leaked out so would the gas and the pressure switch on the dryer would shut off the compressor clutch, so protecting the compressor from any damage. He also said the pressure switch protects against over pressure from a stuck-on clutch. Maybe so but klunk noises will cause damage? What does froth in the aircon dryer window mean? Surely an aircon front seal will last more than 250 hours?

I can take the heat (for a while) but my credit card cant. Its melting (not just sweating) from (a) supply/fit/regas York Compressor $821 (b) supply/fit clutch $242 (c) supply/fit/regas aircon evaporator-to-dryer hose $297. Prior to that with old compressor I had (c) reseal compressor $204 (d) supply/fit Tx valve $131. It appears that I'm stuck with a York but is York an unreliable product?