how hard????? a/c compressor 
how hard????? a/c compressor
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
If you can change your spark plugs you can replace the compressor. The last one I did I bought off Ebay as a rebuilt kit (dryer, tube, oil included). You can get the vacuum pump and gauge set as a loaner tool from Autozone.
Get the front of the car up on jackstands as most of the access is from the bottom. Take the belt off, then upbolt the compressor before you try to get the hoses. If I remember right there are four bolts and the top two are kind of hard to get to. After you get the compressor loose you can move it around to get the hoses and wire connector. Of course you want to bleed out any freon left before you disconnect the hoses. All the instructions I have read say to replace the accumulator/dryer and tube at the same time. You put the oil in the new compressor and then rotate it by hand after connecting the hoses. Before any freon goes in you pull a vacuum (with vacuum pump), the longer the better (say at least 10 minutes). You want the car running and AC on when you put the freon in. I think I used three cans.
That's about all I remember. All in all not that hard, I would probably do it in 2-3 hours.
Get the front of the car up on jackstands as most of the access is from the bottom. Take the belt off, then upbolt the compressor before you try to get the hoses. If I remember right there are four bolts and the top two are kind of hard to get to. After you get the compressor loose you can move it around to get the hoses and wire connector. Of course you want to bleed out any freon left before you disconnect the hoses. All the instructions I have read say to replace the accumulator/dryer and tube at the same time. You put the oil in the new compressor and then rotate it by hand after connecting the hoses. Before any freon goes in you pull a vacuum (with vacuum pump), the longer the better (say at least 10 minutes). You want the car running and AC on when you put the freon in. I think I used three cans.
That's about all I remember. All in all not that hard, I would probably do it in 2-3 hours.
Four bolts hold mine to my block; 2 top, 2 bottom.1 word of caution: do not over torque the bolts when remounting the new compressor or you can cause rear seal failure and all your hard work and $ goes out the window. Check your torque values on the mounting bolts w/a torque wrench.
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 2
I would its really not hard, if you don't know how to recharge the ac system you can have someone else do it but definitely change the compressor yourself.
