I gotta do it this weekend. I've never done it before, and dunno ANYTHING in general about how HVAC systems work. I can easily do the job, I'm just wondering if there's any special things you need to do, besides basically bolting it on? Do you need to refill any freon, release any pressure in the system, anything... hell, I dunno what I'm asking... just tell me anything you might need to do with changing out a compressor besides bolting it in.

 

you need a few grand worth of equipment to get it functioning properly again.

 

STFU I know it aint THAT big of a deal... what are you referring to, though?

 

you need to put it on a vacum to remove every last bit of refrigerant from it, then reoil it, recharge it without letting any atmospheric air get inside the system or its never going to cool properly again.

 

I thought all you had to do was replace the unit itself, and that was it? I assumed you would just buy a whole new unit (the entire thing that the secondary belt from the crank drives), and just replace that entire thing, and that was it?

On a side note... the compressor IS the thing that the secondary drive belt spins, correct? Cause I'm not understanding why you would hafta remove the refrigerant, reoil, and recharge it, if you were replacing the whole thing...?

 

it's a sealed system, by opening it up, even for a few mins, you need to get everything vacumed out, and then reoiled and recharged, or as I said, it's just not going to cool very well, in Texas I'd imagine a fully functioning a/c is probably pretty important

 

Well damn, you ruined my weekend, lol. I was hoping to do this myself, but I obviously don't know near enough about the system to do it alone... so I guess I outta take it to a shop to get it done.

This is just Step 1 in fixing my car... there's a problem w/ the compressor, and it's causing a short somewhere in my electrical system... and according to a shop, replacing the compressor (mine is really f'ed up) may or may not fix the short... so I may end up having to take my car in to have some extensive electrical testing done on it! Cross your fingers that my f'ed up compressor is just the cause!

 

And this is definitely not an LS engine related tech question.

 

I hope you got a new expansion valve and drier too.

 

let the a/c shop empty the system. you can replace the parts. then, have them clean and fill the system.

 

Exactly, this is what I would do if you want to still save a few bucks and do some of it yourself.

 

What he said. Also as posted above, you need a new expansion valve and drier. Many compressor manufacturers won't honor their warranty unless you replace the condensor as well.

It is technicallly illegal to discharge your refrigerant system yourself. However, it is done quite often. You WILL have to do it to change out the compressor. After install, a few ounces of oil and then the freon have to be put back into the system. Additionally, prior to refill (again as posted above), the system must be put at a vacuum in an attempt to remove any metal particles that may have spread through the system. Usually when a compressor fails, it fails in a bad way and puts metal shavings throughout.

I just redid my A/C, bought everything but the condensor, and had a shop do the install so I didn't have to worry about it. It cost a bit (~300 for parts, 275 for labor), but now I won't have to worry about it for at least 5 years or so. All that said, it IS doable job and I DO wish I had done it myself.

Jonota