A/C Compressor Replacement
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
A/C Compressor Replacement
So, long story short, my compressor is failed. What should I expect to pay for a new one, installed, with flush and refrigerant?
Any ballpark estimates on all of the above including replacement of the serp. belts and tensioners? I think while they have all that out they might as well replace those wear items; I know they're at least at 40k miles and possibly original at 100k.
Should I have this work done at a Chevy stealership or an A/C specialty shop?
Thanks!
Any ballpark estimates on all of the above including replacement of the serp. belts and tensioners? I think while they have all that out they might as well replace those wear items; I know they're at least at 40k miles and possibly original at 100k.
Should I have this work done at a Chevy stealership or an A/C specialty shop?
Thanks!
Intermediate
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Quebec
Was in the same boat 2 months ago. Gladly i found a AC specialty shop that knows Vettes.
They rebuilt the original compressor, instead of putting a new ''chinese'' one.
Cost me near 1K$. System running perfect.
They rebuilt the original compressor, instead of putting a new ''chinese'' one.
Cost me near 1K$. System running perfect.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 174,312
Likes: 1,217
From: Here
Pilot of Beer Force 1
Tampa Regional Coordinator
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Organizer St. Jude Fundraiser
I believe in the Beer Fairy
certainly not $1K ..even a new one from GM partshouse is just under $500 so unless they can find a way to charge you $500 in labor and 2 belts 
probably need to ask in the regional section of the forum...see if anyone up you way has some ideas of a place to go
probably need to ask in the regional section of the forum...see if anyone up you way has some ideas of a place to go
Last edited by pewter99; Aug 11, 2012 at 07:39 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,996
Likes: 504
From: Hilton NY
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php They have both GM and other brands of compressors as well as the other AC parts you might need.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
So, the $1k paid above made me think twice about having a shop do this work - however, the service manual calls out to remove the water pump as part of replacing the a/c compressor? Is that correct?! If so, again I think I should let a shop do it..and I probably should have the shop replace that water pump while they're in there. The car is just 500 miles shy of 100k and she ain't getting any younger after all..
What says the forum?
What says the forum?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 5
From: Long Island NY
Let an A/C shop do the work. Bringing it to the dealership will no doubt cost you more. I wouldnt recommend doing the work yourself as it is a pretty big job unless you are experienced in A/C repair. Changing out the water pump is a good idea since it has to come out anyway but will add a few hundred dollars more to the price. Prepare yourself to pay about 1500.00 or more with the WP. If you don't use the A/C that much then wait till next year so you can slowly put aside the $$ so it wouldnt be such a big hit all at once. Whatever you decide good luck with the job and I hope you get it done right for a good price.
If your curious about what the job entails check out the link below.
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...ght=compressor
If your curious about what the job entails check out the link below.
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...ght=compressor
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
Well, I have done some a/c work, so I already have a set of quality manifold gauges, a vacuum pump, and a 30 pound bottle (with probably 25 pounds left) of R134, so I think I'm okay to do the work myself.
Here is a picture of my RockAuto shopping cart - does this look about right to everyone?
Here is a picture of my RockAuto shopping cart - does this look about right to everyone?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 174,312
Likes: 1,217
From: Here
Pilot of Beer Force 1
Tampa Regional Coordinator
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Organizer St. Jude Fundraiser
I believe in the Beer Fairy
I talked to my mechanic today about this and he said, "$1000?? I need to start charging more.."
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
If you already have those A/C tools, I'd say just do it yourself. I just did mine a few weeks ago, new compressor, orifice tube and new dryer were $28x.00. Water pump gaskets need added in. I don't know what a water pump costs, but I'd let it on unless it was broke. As to pulleys and tensioners, the pulleys are 20-30 each, tensioners are $70 each. Be sure to remove the belts completely from the car before removing any coolant hoses or the water pump. If they get wet, they're done.
The job isn't that bad. I did mine on ramps. Very little time underneath. If yours failed though, you'll need a flush kit for sure. Might want some other opinions on flushing the condenser. Some folks say it can't be done if you have a particular type (smaller holes).
The job isn't that bad. I did mine on ramps. Very little time underneath. If yours failed though, you'll need a flush kit for sure. Might want some other opinions on flushing the condenser. Some folks say it can't be done if you have a particular type (smaller holes).
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
Figured I'd update this thread for anyone who searches for it in the future.
I finally got access to the car for a weekend (its my wife's DD, and she works Sundays so I had to convince her to drive the truck. Not hard to do when the a/c doesn't work in the 'Vette thoough). I have to say, replacing the compressor was a PITA. Not because any particular step was all that difficult (although the 13mm bolt on the back of the compressor that holds the lines on was a bitch), but mostly due to this being a Corvette and there being very little room to work. My hands and arms are all sorts of bruised from trying to work a ratchet in the various areas.
I also replaced the reverse lockout solenoid while I had the car on stands, and of course the new water pump went in because 100k miles is plenty for the old pump to handle.
Anyhow, 1 new compressor, 1 line flush, 8 ounces of new oil (2 in compressor, 2 in accumulator, and 4 added to the lines in places to make up for the flushed oil from the condenser & evaporator), and 20 ounces of R134a and we have cold air again.
Thanks for the encouragement.
I finally got access to the car for a weekend (its my wife's DD, and she works Sundays so I had to convince her to drive the truck. Not hard to do when the a/c doesn't work in the 'Vette thoough). I have to say, replacing the compressor was a PITA. Not because any particular step was all that difficult (although the 13mm bolt on the back of the compressor that holds the lines on was a bitch), but mostly due to this being a Corvette and there being very little room to work. My hands and arms are all sorts of bruised from trying to work a ratchet in the various areas.
I also replaced the reverse lockout solenoid while I had the car on stands, and of course the new water pump went in because 100k miles is plenty for the old pump to handle.
Anyhow, 1 new compressor, 1 line flush, 8 ounces of new oil (2 in compressor, 2 in accumulator, and 4 added to the lines in places to make up for the flushed oil from the condenser & evaporator), and 20 ounces of R134a and we have cold air again.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 4
From: Broward County Florida
Thanks for updating this post, my compressor just failed tonight on my way home from work 
It smells AWFUL. I opened up the hood and looked down to see a little smoke coming from far below the coolant tank and saw something was glowing red!
I assume I'll be replacing the compressor entirely, water pump too since I've also been having some overheating issues. Perhaps this will fix both.
Thanks again!
Quick question: are there any brands of waterpumps and or compressors which are superior to OEM?
It smells AWFUL. I opened up the hood and looked down to see a little smoke coming from far below the coolant tank and saw something was glowing red!
I assume I'll be replacing the compressor entirely, water pump too since I've also been having some overheating issues. Perhaps this will fix both.
Thanks again!
Quick question: are there any brands of waterpumps and or compressors which are superior to OEM?
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles CA
A month ago, the A/C compressor "clutch" failed, not the compressor itself. Caused the same "smell" I think you are describing. Basically if you try and run the A/C while the "clutch" on it isn't working correctly, it causes the smell. Until you fix it, I would just keep the A/C off.
I bought a complete new A/C compressor from Autozone for $318, and also bought a new A/C belt ($20) and the two "metal with rubber ring" water pump gaskets ($20) from O'reillys (recomended over the paper water pump gaskets).
Paid for four hours labor ($80 per hour) to have it installed $320.
Paid $100 to have the system evacuated and recharged.
So all in looking at aproximately $800, unless you can do the labor yourself on both the install and evac/re-charge.
I bought a complete new A/C compressor from Autozone for $318, and also bought a new A/C belt ($20) and the two "metal with rubber ring" water pump gaskets ($20) from O'reillys (recomended over the paper water pump gaskets).
Paid for four hours labor ($80 per hour) to have it installed $320.
Paid $100 to have the system evacuated and recharged.
So all in looking at aproximately $800, unless you can do the labor yourself on both the install and evac/re-charge.