- My model of MX-5 is: Mk1 NA 1.6
- I’m based near: Milton Keynes
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: AC compressor
So i took my 1990 Eunos to an AC specialist, who can regas R12 AC systems (they use an equivalent, RS24). To my shock and surprise, it held a vaccum and pressure test! This is a system that hasn’t worked in some 15 years from what previous owners told me, so to find that it worked was a shock, I was fully expecting to have to replace huge parts of the system.
The tech did say, there was a TINY amount of Gas/oil still left, so he regassed/oiled it, and it blew cold. 9c according to my little temp gauge I took with me.
I got most the way home, in my tiny artic Eunos snow storm before having to turn the AC off as I was freezing my nuts off. After about 15/20 minutes, I decided to put the AC back on, as the novelty hadn’t worn off yet, there was a horrible sequel, so I turned it off. Tried it again at some lights, RPM jumped to 2000rpm, but no cold air, a brief noise then nothing.
Once I got home, i popped the bonnet and tried again, only to find that the compressor was juddering along when the clutch engaged, at maybe 1rpm every few seconds, rather than at the speed of the engine.
AC man has said likely the compressor has seized, 15 years of not being properly lubricated and sat idle, meant that after being asked to work hard for the first time in 15 years, after a short while, it just gave up 
Very sad
Anyway, his kindly offered to fit a replacement (I have to source it), and only charge me the fitting labour, and not for de-gassing and re-gassing (since he can suck the gas out and put it back in). His advised I get a NEW compressor, rather than refurbed on, but after a quick look around, I can’t seem to find one? Does anyone know where I could find a new AC compressor? Mx5parts don’t seem to offer one, found them on some generic parts sights, but they all list R134, some on alibaba and aliexpress (no chance), so any advise/direction to a seller would be most welcome.
Thanks
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