General Maintenance & Repairs - Replaceing ac compressor and accumulator any tips?

Wifes a/c in the LS1 took a crap and took it to a shop. They want 900$ to replace the comp, orface tube and accumulator. Holy crap that's expensive. So I'm gonna replace them myself. I can get the compr for about 300 and the accum for 75$. Plus freon I figure I can get it done for 450ish. Are there any tips/tricks to make the swap easier? Thanks. -Mark

Take it to get it flushed after you remove the old parts, before you install the new stuff. Don't want chunks of your busted compressor to get into the new one and destroy it as well. Put in a new orifice tube like they were going to also. They're only like 3 dollars.

... Put in a new orifice tube like they were going to also. They're only like 3 dollars.

Wish I could change my wife's orifice tube for $3.

Take it to get it flushed after you remove the old parts, before you install the new stuff. Don't want chunks of your busted compressor to get into the new one and destroy it as well. Put in a new orifice tube like they were going to also. They're only like 3 dollars.

Flushed? The comp didn't totally stop but its only blowing like at 80* or so. So I think its on its way out, but its not locked up. You still think I should have it flushed? I take it I can't flush the system myself? Thanks. -Mark


Weezer- :jest:

It seemed pretty simple when me and my brother did it last week. You need to lube the orings on each end of the tube. Just make sure everything is seated correctly so you get no leaks.

Have you checked it with gauges yet???

Wish I could change my wife's orifice tube for $3.
Should be around the same price for your wife's car. Vaginal orifice tubes are of course more costly.


:pimp:

Have you checked it with gauges yet???

Well I first though it just needed freon but when I hooked up the freon the gauage on the bottle was in the danger zone. I guess that meant I had too much it. So the shop said that the compressor is the problem. -Mark

make sure you buy a new compressor, the rebuilts from anywhere are total shit.

make sure you buy a new compressor, the rebuilts from anywhere are total shit.


I second that. I went through 2 of them before I got my money back and went and bought a new one from a parts dealer. Both compressors failed within 4 months.