so my a/c compressor comes on when i first start the car and stays on for a good 10-15 min. cold a/c no issues but then the a/c stops and the compressor kicks on for a second then shuts off for a few seconds over and over all while smoking seems like it's wanting to lock up on me any suggestions should I just go ahead and replace the compressor?
a little info: when i got the car I fouled the condenser removing the radiator so I replaced the condenser and refilled system.

also if I do need a compressor I would probably go with one from rockauto not oem I would imagine it will do fine right?

 

From your description of the symptoms, It sounds like you overfilled the AC system and / or you didn't top off the PAG 46 oil required. Original fill is 16 ounces of PAG 46.

Get a set of gauges and measure the low side. It should be around 30 to 35 PSI based on ambient temperature at idle.

Anything higher means it is overfilled and it will cause the compressor to lock up.

 

well it was at around 40 PSI 85 degrees out, I drained and refilled the system to about 32-33 PSI but I doubt if the compressor is already having issues from the overfill it will fully come back to life but its my last ditch effort instead of a new compressor I can't remember how much oil I put in it but i'm positive it wasnt 16 oz's the original fill is 14 oz of r134a and 2 oz of oil which is what I put in as far as I can remember but thanks for the info!

 

You are right, hopefully it will serve you another summer. The condenser ends up retaining a lot of the PAG oil. I have dealt with a similar situation on a 1991 RX-7.