A/C compressor finally gave up the ghost... Help?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 36,453
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From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX
St. Jude Donor '05
A/C compressor finally gave up the ghost... Help?
The compressor in the C5 has been making a lot of noise recently, so I figured it was on its way out.
It finally euthanized itself in the middle of a traffic jam on Central Expressway. It's 90 outside.
I have a replacement take-off compressor for $65 that I got from a forum member who parted out his car. Now, this has been sitting in a box in my garage for about 6 months.
1) Is there any reason to beleive this compressor will be bad from sitting there? Are there any stupid seals that have to be 100% lubricated in kosher sythetic olive oil or something equally retarded?
2) Assuming I can get it installed, what else do I need to do while I'm in there? Will the dryer need to be replaced, etc, etc, etc. I know very little about A/C, though I'm competant with a wrench.
3) Should I even risk a take-off compressor? Mine died at 60k miles. This one has 45k on it. Keep in mind that a reman pump is north of $500 (versus my $65) and I have to remove the GD'ed water pump to get to it.
Has anybody done one of these little f'ers on their own?
It finally euthanized itself in the middle of a traffic jam on Central Expressway. It's 90 outside.
I have a replacement take-off compressor for $65 that I got from a forum member who parted out his car. Now, this has been sitting in a box in my garage for about 6 months.
1) Is there any reason to beleive this compressor will be bad from sitting there? Are there any stupid seals that have to be 100% lubricated in kosher sythetic olive oil or something equally retarded?
2) Assuming I can get it installed, what else do I need to do while I'm in there? Will the dryer need to be replaced, etc, etc, etc. I know very little about A/C, though I'm competant with a wrench.
3) Should I even risk a take-off compressor? Mine died at 60k miles. This one has 45k on it. Keep in mind that a reman pump is north of $500 (versus my $65) and I have to remove the GD'ed water pump to get to it.
Has anybody done one of these little f'ers on their own?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,947
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta GA
mines about to die too, its ticking like mad. i bought a used comp. off a C5 gone race car with less than 10k miles on it. Im wondering the same thing. I know ill have to get a freon refill...but what else?
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From: Tampa, FL
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Originally Posted by Umrswimr
The compressor in the C5 has been making a lot of noise recently, so I figured it was on its way out.
It finally euthanized itself in the middle of a traffic jam on Central Expressway. It's 90 outside.
I have a replacement take-off compressor for $65 that I got from a forum member who parted out his car. Now, this has been sitting in a box in my garage for about 6 months.
1) Is there any reason to beleive this compressor will be bad from sitting there? Are there any stupid seals that have to be 100% lubricated in kosher sythetic olive oil or something equally retarded?
2) Assuming I can get it installed, what else do I need to do while I'm in there? Will the dryer need to be replaced, etc, etc, etc. I know very little about A/C, though I'm competant with a wrench.
3) Should I even risk a take-off compressor? Mine died at 60k miles. This one has 45k on it. Keep in mind that a reman pump is north of $500 (versus my $65) and I have to remove the GD'ed water pump to get to it.
Has anybody done one of these little f'ers on their own?
It finally euthanized itself in the middle of a traffic jam on Central Expressway. It's 90 outside.
I have a replacement take-off compressor for $65 that I got from a forum member who parted out his car. Now, this has been sitting in a box in my garage for about 6 months.
1) Is there any reason to beleive this compressor will be bad from sitting there? Are there any stupid seals that have to be 100% lubricated in kosher sythetic olive oil or something equally retarded?
2) Assuming I can get it installed, what else do I need to do while I'm in there? Will the dryer need to be replaced, etc, etc, etc. I know very little about A/C, though I'm competant with a wrench.
3) Should I even risk a take-off compressor? Mine died at 60k miles. This one has 45k on it. Keep in mind that a reman pump is north of $500 (versus my $65) and I have to remove the GD'ed water pump to get to it.
Has anybody done one of these little f'ers on their own?
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 36,453
Likes: 2
From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Snake Slayer
Often times when a compressor takes a dump it sends metal through the entire system. I would suggest that you have the new one installed only after having the entire system flushed.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
If the compressor died, it is best to put in a new accululator (about $90) at the same time. My local mechanic recommends a used working compressor to a remanufactured one...( believe it or not!) He claims he has not got as much life out of reman as used ones.
On a used one you should dump out the existing compressor oil... one is never sure if any has spilled and re fill it with the correct quantitiy of fresh oil. Some recommend putting fluorescent dye in the the R134a so that if the system leaks you will know where the leak is.
The A/C compressor is a tight fit that will likely require you do one of three things to get it out...
a) remove the rad
or
b) take off the exhaust manifold
or
c) remove the water pump.
Not sure if it makes a difference to your decision, but you can buy a reman AC Delco unit at AutoZone for $248.
On a used one you should dump out the existing compressor oil... one is never sure if any has spilled and re fill it with the correct quantitiy of fresh oil. Some recommend putting fluorescent dye in the the R134a so that if the system leaks you will know where the leak is.
The A/C compressor is a tight fit that will likely require you do one of three things to get it out...
a) remove the rad
or
b) take off the exhaust manifold
or
c) remove the water pump.
Not sure if it makes a difference to your decision, but you can buy a reman AC Delco unit at AutoZone for $248.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
RWS is right on track!! 
You need to make SURE that you flush out the entire system, replace the accumulator, orface restrictor tube, replace all of the oil (add it to the accumulator, and compressor ) and get the system properly vacummed out with a vacuum pump to draw out all of the moisture and air.
I would have the system filled by a compentent AC service center but it can be done at home if you are able to get the right amount of freon in it. Its better to have less than too much!!!
BC
You need to make SURE that you flush out the entire system, replace the accumulator, orface restrictor tube, replace all of the oil (add it to the accumulator, and compressor ) and get the system properly vacummed out with a vacuum pump to draw out all of the moisture and air.
I would have the system filled by a compentent AC service center but it can be done at home if you are able to get the right amount of freon in it. Its better to have less than too much!!!
BC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 5
Sounds like the flushing should be done at a professional shop:
http://www.4s.com/fourseasons/tech_t...ish/ab324.html
http://www.4s.com/fourseasons/tech_t...ish/ab324.html
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 36,453
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From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX
St. Jude Donor '05
So basically- can I install the new compressor/oil/acc/and oriface, leave the hoses, off, and have a shop handle the flushing/vacuuming/and R134?
Maybe I should just have the shop do the whole bloody thing...
Maybe I should just have the shop do the whole bloody thing...
