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Gen 3 - 2012 Prius III Loud AC Compressor

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by TheRightStuff, Jun 14, 2022.

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  1. TheRightStuff

    TheRightStuff Junior Member

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    Over the last 6 months we have noticed that the AC compressor on our Gen 3 - 2012 Prius III is getting a bit loud. It still cools great but it has a clackity clack sound. My question is, what's normal? The sound goes away when we turn off the AC system. I've had 2 other Gen 3's that didn't have this noise but from what I understand the AC compressor can be noisy on the Gen 3's.

    Since this is a variable speed electric scroll compressor is there any reason to change it early to keep from burning up the inside freon and putting metal shavings in the system or will it simply stop working when it goes out?


    Any recommendations? Should we replace the compressor now or wait for it to go out? Is there any easy way to tell if it's going bad?
     
    #1 TheRightStuff, Jun 14, 2022
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Maybe it needs some oil? ND11 oil to be specific and not anything else!!
     
    #2 JC91006, Jun 14, 2022
  3. TheRightStuff

    TheRightStuff Junior Member

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    Thanks. I picked up some AC gauges and I'm going to look at that low and high pressure to see if that tells me anything.

    I also have a 22oz can of A/C Pro Extreme that has electric/hybrid friendly oil and r134a freon in case it's a little low.
     
    #3 TheRightStuff, Jun 14, 2022
  4. TheRightStuff

    TheRightStuff Junior Member

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    You might be correct on the oil. I added a few ounces of A/C pro extreme and the compressor is already a lot quieter. Do you add oil to the suction line the same way you add freon?
     
    #4 TheRightStuff, Jun 14, 2022
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  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I want to make sure the oil you are using says ND11, as these electric compressors will fry using regular PAG oils.

    You may want to get professional advice on adding the oil, I don't know how to gauge how much to add.
     
    #5 JC91006, Jun 14, 2022
  6. TheRightStuff

    TheRightStuff Junior Member

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    No issue. I have an appointment with the dealership on Saturday. Maybe it's just a tad low on freon.
     
    #6 TheRightStuff, Jun 15, 2022
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  7. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Adding oil is probably not a good idea. The Prius a/c system is very finiky.
    And if it's making noise, oil won't resolve it. If the system was losing oil, it would
    also be losing freon.
    Time for a new compressor, rec/dryer and probable expansion valve/orifice tube.
     
    #7 ASRDogman, Jun 15, 2022
  8. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    There's no Freon in that system, or any other 21st-century auto air conditioner.
     
    #8 CR94, Jun 15, 2022
  9. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I guess I'm going to agree, as Wikipedia says "Not all refrigerants of this type are labelled as "Freon" since Freon is a brand name for the refrigerants R-12, R-13B1, R-22, R-410A, R-502, and R-503 manufactured by The Chemours Company" and our R-134a is not one of those. :)

    I have learned my new thing for the day.
     
    #9 ChapmanF, Jun 15, 2022
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  10. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    whatever, it is.
    the chemical used in the toyota prius's air conditioning cooling system....


     
    #10 ASRDogman, Jun 15, 2022
  11. Higgins909

    Higgins909 Member

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    I'm late but I'm here to say don't F with it and take it to a good Toyota/hybrid service place. I learned the hard way, which luckily wasn't too hard. You're likely low on "freon" in the least and it's stupid specific how much is in there. Gauges don't mean jack, it's all about the weight. I basically thought my AC was under performing/not acting right and tried to add to it. Ended up overfilling it and not being able to use my ac until I took it to Toyota. Was either a $100 or $200 service to pretty much drain and refill the AC. Which I think is what you need. The AC still sucks in this 100F+ weather.

    Basically why your AC is running at a higher rpm is because it's low on freon and can't hit the desired temp, which it would normally hit at a lower rpm. So it's speeding up to compensate, which could lead to more wear/failure.
     
    #11 Higgins909, Jun 15, 2022
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  12. TheRightStuff

    TheRightStuff Junior Member

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    I think we have a winner. This sounds accurate and most likely why it's loud. Thanks for sharing. I will have it drained and refilled with the proper amount.
     
    #12 TheRightStuff, Jun 15, 2022
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  13. JSB_99

    JSB_99 Member

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    This is exactly what was wrong with mine also. Was very loud and barely cooled once it started getting hot outside but worked great at night and in the mornings although still loud. Checked it with one of those stupid cans with the gauge just because I had it on hand and it said everything was good. Ended up taking it to the shop who recovered and weighed what was in it and it had .8 lbs when it called for 1.4lbs he said. He pulled a vacuum that held for 30 minutes and weighed in new refrigerant. been working pretty great since and the compressor is noticeably quieter.
     
    #13 JSB_99, Jun 15, 2022
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  14. TheRightStuff

    TheRightStuff Junior Member

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    Awesome. Thanks for sharing! I'm hopeful that this is the issue. It sounds very likely.
     
    #14 TheRightStuff, Jun 15, 2022
  15. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    If it's leaking, it would be a good idea to find the leak and repair it, or it will just leak again.
     
    #15 ASRDogman, Jun 16, 2022
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  16. TheRightStuff

    TheRightStuff Junior Member

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    Unfortunately the compressor is going out and will need to be replaced. $2800 from the dealership. Ah well. You win some, you lose some.
     
    #16 TheRightStuff, Jun 18, 2022
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  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Just curious: what’s the miles on it, and how often did you use the AC?
     
    #17 Mendel Leisk, Jun 18, 2022
  18. TheRightStuff

    TheRightStuff Junior Member

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    11 years old. 120k miles. Still has the original Toyota front windshield with vin number etched into the glass. I suspect this vehicle was a garage queen.
     
    #18 TheRightStuff, Jun 18, 2022
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  19. TheRightStuff

    TheRightStuff Junior Member

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    Not sure how often the AC was used but the vehicle was as always in the southern United States. So I would suspect the AC was always on.
     
    #19 TheRightStuff, Jun 18, 2022
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  20. Half Vast

    Half Vast Junior Member

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    You may want to purchase the compressor yourself and save quite a bit of money. Most dealerships will install a genuine Toyota part if you supply it. The part number is 88370-47082. Here it is on McGeorge Toyota:
    https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-compressor-assembly-w-m-8837047082?c=Zz1odmFjJnM9Y29uZGVuc2VyLWNvbXByZXNzb3ItYW5kLWxpbmVzJmw9MzImbj1Bc3NlbWJsaWVzIFBhZ2UmYT10b3lvdGEmbz1wcml1cyZ5PTIwMTImdD1mb3VyJmU9MS04bC1sNC1lbGVjdHJpYy1nYXM%3D

    I buy my Toyota parts from them all the time. They ship quickly, usually the same day.
     
    #20 Half Vast, Jun 19, 2022
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