Looking for some advice. I bought my 98 civic LX new and have 211,000 miles on it. At about 150,000 the AC compressor locked up. Metal went through the AC system. A friend helped me repair. We replaced the compressor and a few other parts and cleaned and blew out everything else such as the lines. At 211,000 miles the AC went out again. Same thing, compressor started making a knocking noise and car would surge as compressor kicked off and on and then it quit blowing cold and within a matter of seconds, the clutch flew off of the compressor and rolled down the road. Car is in decent shape for a 13 yr old car with that many miles. Runs good has fairly new tires and otherwise mechanically sound. I fear that this is going to be close to $1,000 to fix the air? looks like compressors are around $400 give or take a hundred then there are other parts and oil and freon and labor. Does it sound like I am thinking about this correctly? Repair AC or get new car? Thanks for your replys Rodney.

 

Total system replacement-- compressor, condenser, evaporator, TXV, receiver/drier. Replace or blow the lines out real good. Otherwise bits of metal will keep coming around and wreck your compressor.