Is towing breaking my TV A/C?

[vspeed]

So I have been towing since 2010 with my Sequoia (2010). I have a 6000lbs Jayco. In 2012 my car A/C broke and they had to change the compressor and other things. It would have been expensive but it was under warranty. It broke again this weekend but they say just told me they will have to change everything not just the compressor. Estimated cost is now at 3700.

Could this be caused because I'm towing too much or is it unrelated? The engine or transmission never overheated.

[spud1957]

I would try to take it to a reputable shop that specializes in AC, radiators etc. They usually can repair things a lot cheaper than the dealer.

[camp-n-family]

Get a 2nd opinion. Dealers are too quick to assume the problem without taking time to properly diagnose. Just went through the same thing with my Honda. It wasn't blowing cold anymore so I brought it to the dealer. They said it had a leak and the system was empty which in turn damaged the compressor and condenser. The whole system needed replacing at $2k.

I thought it was odd that they could determine that without doing a leak test or anything. Brought it to a friend who tried to charge the system but couldn't because it was full, no leak. Five minutes with an electrical tester found a faulty relay. $29

The dealer hasn't finished hearing from me yet.

[wcjeep]

Do you use recirc or only fresh air for the AC? Any chance the AC system iced over causing additional strain? Just curious if your problem is one off?

[time2roll]

Towing has no effect on the AC. It was already doomed and probably a factory defect.

[Sport45]

All the trash from the compressor is probably stuck in the orifice tube and condenser. A good A/C shop should be able to flush the system, install a new compressor, orifice tube and accumulator and then send you on your way for many years of trouble free use.

Unless there's something special about Toyota condensers and evaporators that prevents them from being cleaned (flushed), the mechanic is getting into your pockets.

[Ron3rd]

I seriously doubt that towing has anything to do with towing. I'm calling BS on the dealer's install.

[x96mnn]

Rear ends, shocks/struts, transmissions, engines are all items that would fail due to exceeding the vehical ability. AC I never heard of blowing apart due to high load. Only connectuion I could make is the AC is usually connected on the same built as the drive, high RPMS over an extended period causing bearing wear???

[coolmom42]

RinconVTR wrote:
So the dealer says they need to "change everything but the compressor"?

RED LIGHT

The only thing I can think of to require the system be rebuilt is a massive failure of the compressor. So why would the NOT replace it?
What really happened? This doesn't jive.

You need to know, and at nearly 4k, get a second opinion.

This cannot possibly be related to towing, its poor luck and a fluke.

He said EVERYTHING, NOT JUST the compressor.

[coolmom42]

vspeed wrote:
Yes, the compressor sent debris everywhere I'm told. I do have gauges for engine and transmission temperature. I did not get any high temperature warning though obviously I wasn't paying attention all the time.

I will get a second opinion later this week. They told me something was bad with the compressor itself even when it was new. I just think it's funny it's the second time it happened in 5 years. Granted, I don't know if it was the same problem the first time.

This can and does happen with automotive AC compressors. A good mechanic friend of mine warned me to not keep on running the AC after it started acting up. If you stop running the compressor at that point, it's not so likely to come apart and trash the whole system. This bit of advice allowed me a compressor-only replacement on a GM pickup, and ignoring it cost ExBF the whole system.

So that part is possibly not BS.

[RinconVTR]

So the dealer says they need to "change everything but the compressor"?

RED LIGHT

The only thing I can think of to require the system be rebuilt is a massive failure of the compressor. So why would the NOT replace it?
What really happened? This doesn't jive.

You need to know, and at nearly 4k, get a second opinion.

This cannot possibly be related to towing, its poor luck and a fluke.

[Campfire_Time]

"debris everywhere". Most likely a shattered bearing. I'm surprised you didn't hear any noise in the time before it went. Usually bad bearings are very noisy.

Fixed under warranty the first time, but did they use a new or rebuilt compressor? Rebuilts are known for failing after a few years.

[the_bear_II]

No correlation between towing and killing the A/C. More likely fault would be poorly designed A/C system, bent pulley, too tight belt, junk in system...

I've had 4 tow vehicles during the past 30 years. My first 3 were over capacity, one was 5000lb over capacity. In all those years, I only had one A/C hose develop a leak. No major failures.

[coolmom42]

I can't fathom that towing would have anything to do with AC.

I also can't fathom that a Toyota has had 2 bad AC systems in 5 years. I've driven high-mileage Toyotas for 20 years and never had an AC problem.

In your shoes I would look for a different service shop.

[vspeed]

Yes, the compressor sent debris everywhere I'm told. I do have gauges for engine and transmission temperature. I did not get any high temperature warning though obviously I wasn't paying attention all the time.

I will get a second opinion later this week. They told me something was bad with the compressor itself even when it was new. I just think it's funny it's the second time it happened in 5 years. Granted, I don't know if it was the same problem the first time.