From: Rob on
Hello,

I'm thinking about changing my own a/c compressor. Is this a royal
flaming pain or definitely something doable for a reasonably technical
person? Any extraordinarily bizarre tools you might need?

Are there any guides/books/websites that would prove to be helpful?

Thank you,
Rob
From: Hachiroku ハチロク on
On Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:02:55 -0400, Rob wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I'm thinking about changing my own a/c compressor. Is this a royal
> flaming pain or definitely something doable for a reasonably technical
> person? Any extraordinarily bizarre tools you might need?
>
> Are there any guides/books/websites that would prove to be helpful?
>
> Thank you,
> Rob

The R-134a in modern a/c systems isn't as 'touchy' as R-12 in the old
systems (It's illegal to knowingly vent R-12 into the atmosphere, IIRC)
but you still should have the system evacuated. This collects all the
R-134 and lubricants for reuse/disposal. Venting isn't a real good idea in
the first place.

Then, you have to work pretty quickly, since the refrigerant is somewhat
susceptible to moisture, and it collects moisture quickly. You at least
need caps to cover the hoses while you have them off to avoid
contamination of the remaining refrigerant and especially the
receiver/drier. You really don't want that collecting moisture.

Then you have to refill it, probably using "blow up cans" (so called
because if you connect them to the high side rather than the low side, the
pressure builds up in the can and <BOOM, see? BOOM! wait...I'm not
finished...See?>)

Other than that, just unbolt the old one and bolt in the new one, fill the
system with the correct amount of refrigerant/lubricant (Overfilling makes
the compressor go <BOOM, see...you get the idea...>)

Or, you can unbolt the old one, bolt in the new one and then drive the
mess to someone with the proper equipment to refill it.

Piece of cake!

Now, this is for a '91 Supra, but it's basically the same procedure:

http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Library/TSRM/MK3/manual.aspx?S=AC&P=23

Page AC-27 covers reinstallation.



From: Hachiroku ハチロク on
On Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:02:55 -0400, Rob wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I'm thinking about changing my own a/c compressor. Is this a royal
> flaming pain or definitely something doable for a reasonably technical
> person? Any extraordinarily bizarre tools you might need?
>
> Are there any guides/books/websites that would prove to be helpful?
>
> Thank you,
> Rob

PS: on page AC-27, see where it says "evacuate air from AC system". You
need a vacuum pump for that...



From: Ray O on

"Rob" <nothear(a)nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:ghQwn.28552$kj3.13458(a)newsfe08.iad...
> Hello,
>
> I'm thinking about changing my own a/c compressor. Is this a royal
> flaming pain or definitely something doable for a reasonably technical
> person? Any extraordinarily bizarre tools you might need?
>
> Are there any guides/books/websites that would prove to be helpful?
>
> Thank you,
> Rob

In order to work on the AC system, you would need a refrigerant evacuation
pump, recovery machine, scale, R134-A gauges, lubricant, R134-A, safety
goggles, and a license to work on AC systems.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)


From: Jeff Strickland on

"Rob" <nothear(a)nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:ghQwn.28552$kj3.13458(a)newsfe08.iad...
> Hello,
>
> I'm thinking about changing my own a/c compressor. Is this a royal
> flaming pain or definitely something doable for a reasonably technical
> person? Any extraordinarily bizarre tools you might need?
>
> Are there any guides/books/websites that would prove to be helpful?
>
> Thank you,
> Rob


Changing the compressor is not a difficult job if the only consideration was
twisting screws. The hard part comes when you want to capture the
refrigerant, then evacuate the system of air and water in preparation of
filling it with new refrigerant.

What makes you want to replace the compressor?