a/c compressor
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 11
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From: tx
a/c compressor need help. i have a 2000 ss auto, that had the ac compressor go out. was quoted a lot for labor and parts. would like to remove it myself then take to shop for a charge of ac. new to this and need to know whats the best way to remove. from the top or under the car.? have ramps i can use and basic hand tools. thx james
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 587
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut SE shore
Some of this may help you. When I changed out my compressor 2 years ago I had it done at a shop. I provided the parts. Found that I could save $25-$75 or so by ordering a full kit (compressor, LP line w/receiver-drier, expansion tube, O-rings). You can buy the LP items separately for $35-$50 depending on quality. The compressors run from $175 to $350 depending on whether cheaper aftermarket ($175), 4 Seasons ($225), or Deplhi/AC Delco ($300-$350) or Denso (more $$). I bought a Delphi kit on line for $375 as it was what came off my '99 SS. I figured I only wanted to do this once so a reman, self rebuild, or cheaper version was not for me. I would think replacing the compressor from underneath is the way to go due to interferences from above.
If you buy the kit and replace all those parts you get a 1 year warranty from the distributor. The system must be adequately flushed before new parts are put in...or no warranty. I figured better if I documented that through a shop. Just to replace the compressor and LP parts was probably 3 hours of labor. Even after doing that, found out that the HP line was cut. That part cost around $70. Since the shop didn't see that the first time around they only charged me 1/2 hour. After replacing everything but the condenser and evaporator it ran me about $800 total....so about $350 in labor/$450 in parts.
If you buy the kit and replace all those parts you get a 1 year warranty from the distributor. The system must be adequately flushed before new parts are put in...or no warranty. I figured better if I documented that through a shop. Just to replace the compressor and LP parts was probably 3 hours of labor. Even after doing that, found out that the HP line was cut. That part cost around $70. Since the shop didn't see that the first time around they only charged me 1/2 hour. After replacing everything but the condenser and evaporator it ran me about $800 total....so about $350 in labor/$450 in parts.
Last edited by Firebrian; Aug 6, 2015 at 03:10 PM.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 587
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut SE shore
If you're replacing the compressor the LP line and expansion tube are a must. And if that compressor gave off metal shavings while failing, that's another issue to deal with. If just a casing or seal failure, then pretty simple. Hopefully your expansion tube/orifice comes out metal free.
Rockauto
Buy the following
ACDELCO 156940 {#52472662} - AC condenser
ACDELCO 1520730 {#01137028, 1137028, 89018956} AC compressor
ACDELCO 155378 {#03096068, 3096068} AC Orifice tube
ACDELCO 1510095 {#01132796, 02724938, 1132796} - Drier/Accumulator
FOUR SEASONS 26736 AC System Seal Kit; O-Ring and Gasket Seal Kit
ACDELCO 1531009 {#10409630, 19213715} - suction and discharge hoses
ACDELCO 1533164 {#10282758, 19169412} - liquid line condenser to evap
Buy the following
ACDELCO 156940 {#52472662} - AC condenser
ACDELCO 1520730 {#01137028, 1137028, 89018956} AC compressor
ACDELCO 155378 {#03096068, 3096068} AC Orifice tube
ACDELCO 1510095 {#01132796, 02724938, 1132796} - Drier/Accumulator
FOUR SEASONS 26736 AC System Seal Kit; O-Ring and Gasket Seal Kit
ACDELCO 1531009 {#10409630, 19213715} - suction and discharge hoses
ACDELCO 1533164 {#10282758, 19169412} - liquid line condenser to evap
