Aircon

[UKZR1]

With the warm weather setting in, I took the car down to have the aircon regassed (engine was removed last year) .They put in new oil and started to put in the new gas (R132) however the car wasn't taking it all (often happens they say) so the car was started and the aircon turned on. The compressor sounded like a bag of old nails and the pressure went way too high. They stopped, said there was a blockage somewhere, fitted a new filter and then tried again, this time the gas went in without the engine running. The car was then started and sure enough the compressor sounded awful again. There was cold air for a short time and then the pressure started going high again (on the lowside).

The aircon was working fine before I removed the engine and shipped it to the states. Could the over pressure on the low side cause compressor failure (I was there but it all happened really quick and was in the car so didn't see the pressure gauges)?? They say the compressor probably dried out while it was off the car???

The car was running on R132 (just had new fittings) and I have heard this is hard on the compressor and will fail it quicker as it was designed for R12

Are they still available to buy? If so, where and how much? I've been given a number of a place over here that this garage uses to rebuild compressors. So that might be the way to go depending on the turn around. Anyone know the make & model of the compressor, I could then call ahead and see if they are able to rebuild it before I remove the original.