Air conditioning compressor replacement write-up
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Littleton Texas
Awesome, Simply awesome.
I can't thank you enough for taking the time to put this write-up together, you did a great job.
This not only gives crystal clear instructions but it allows me to do the repairs and not be at the mercy of someone who doesn't have the regard for my car that I do.
Thanks to you, I now feel that "I am smarter than a fifth grader".
Thank you.
C.V.
I can't thank you enough for taking the time to put this write-up together, you did a great job.
This not only gives crystal clear instructions but it allows me to do the repairs and not be at the mercy of someone who doesn't have the regard for my car that I do.
Thanks to you, I now feel that "I am smarter than a fifth grader".
Thank you.
C.V.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Littleton Texas
Greetings again.
I just wanted to pause and say that you and the guys here on the Forum are just great.
Once again I wanted to thank you for this outstanding masterpeice of instructions on how to replace the A/C Compressor on my C5 Vette
I followed your instructions step by step and when I was done my compressor was replaced.
You not only saved me some hard earned money but I feel like just won the Super Bowl because I was able to do it all by myself
If I was standing in front of you I would be proud to shake your hand look you in the eye a say , thank you for your unselfishness and for sharing some super information.
I drove my car tonight in 100 degrees and my A/c just sat there blowing cold 42 degree much welcomed air in my face.
Yes life is lovely, Yes life is Gooooood.................. once again.
Thank you so much Again,
C.V.
I just wanted to pause and say that you and the guys here on the Forum are just great.
Once again I wanted to thank you for this outstanding masterpeice of instructions on how to replace the A/C Compressor on my C5 Vette
I followed your instructions step by step and when I was done my compressor was replaced.
You not only saved me some hard earned money but I feel like just won the Super Bowl because I was able to do it all by myself
If I was standing in front of you I would be proud to shake your hand look you in the eye a say , thank you for your unselfishness and for sharing some super information.
I drove my car tonight in 100 degrees and my A/c just sat there blowing cold 42 degree much welcomed air in my face.
Yes life is lovely, Yes life is Gooooood.................. once again.
Thank you so much Again,
C.V.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 966
Likes: 9
From: Phoenix AZ
Greetings again.
I just wanted to pause and say that you and the guys here on the Forum are just great.
Once again I wanted to thank you for this outstanding masterpeice of instructions on how to replace the A/C Compressor on my C5 Vette
I followed your instructions step by step and when I was done my compressor was replaced.
You not only saved me some hard earned money but I feel like just won the Super Bowl because I was able to do it all by myself
If I was standing in front of you I would be proud to shake your hand look you in the eye a say , thank you for your unselfishness and for sharing some super information.
I drove my car tonight in 100 degrees and my A/c just sat there blowing cold 42 degree much welcomed air in my face.
Yes life is lovely, Yes life is Gooooood.................. once again.
Thank you so much Again,
C.V.
I just wanted to pause and say that you and the guys here on the Forum are just great.
Once again I wanted to thank you for this outstanding masterpeice of instructions on how to replace the A/C Compressor on my C5 Vette
I followed your instructions step by step and when I was done my compressor was replaced.
You not only saved me some hard earned money but I feel like just won the Super Bowl because I was able to do it all by myself
If I was standing in front of you I would be proud to shake your hand look you in the eye a say , thank you for your unselfishness and for sharing some super information.
I drove my car tonight in 100 degrees and my A/c just sat there blowing cold 42 degree much welcomed air in my face.
Yes life is lovely, Yes life is Gooooood.................. once again.
Thank you so much Again,
C.V.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 966
Likes: 9
From: Phoenix AZ
Since it's not an A-6 or R-4 compressor (it's a V-7), says it gets PAG 46.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 931
Likes: 35
From: Rowlett, Texas
I did a little research on the PAG oil.
Seems that up until 2006 GM used PAG 150 (#12345923) in the C5 type compressors, and just about all other types.
In 2006, they issued a TSB # 02-01-39-004 converting most of their compressors to a PAG 46 oil (12378526). This oil is supposed to have better lubrication properties. It is a retrofit for the C5-type, but not for the old R4 and A6 types. It is used in all new compressors.
So, it would seem that when redoing a C5 system, one should use either PAG 150 again, which originally came in it, or the new GM PAG 46 (with the "enhanced lubrication" properties).
I think this change in 2006 is why some of the Delco/Delphi data is kinda misleading regarding current oil recommendations.
DG
Seems that up until 2006 GM used PAG 150 (#12345923) in the C5 type compressors, and just about all other types.
In 2006, they issued a TSB # 02-01-39-004 converting most of their compressors to a PAG 46 oil (12378526). This oil is supposed to have better lubrication properties. It is a retrofit for the C5-type, but not for the old R4 and A6 types. It is used in all new compressors.
So, it would seem that when redoing a C5 system, one should use either PAG 150 again, which originally came in it, or the new GM PAG 46 (with the "enhanced lubrication" properties).
I think this change in 2006 is why some of the Delco/Delphi data is kinda misleading regarding current oil recommendations.
DG
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque NM
Thanks so much Rocco Next time I'm in Phoenix (usually near the Falcon Field airport) I'll be sure to send a PM so I can buy you dinner. That write up is much appreciated. I agree the bolt on the back of the compressor holding the manifold/lines to the compressor is the biggest pain, especially if once you have the whole thing nearly back together & try using the vacuum, it won't build any suction (Dang washer fell off before I bolted the manifold down
)
Just did the work yesterday, left it on vacuum all night, charged today, works great. Hopefully will work tomorrow as my a/c would only leak enough to not be cold, but wouldn't ever actually leak enough out to never turn on the compressor
Next time I'm in Phoenix (usually near the Falcon Field airport) I'll be sure to send a PM so I can buy you dinner. That write up is much appreciated. I agree the bolt on the back of the compressor holding the manifold/lines to the compressor is the biggest pain, especially if once you have the whole thing nearly back together & try using the vacuum, it won't build any suction (Dang washer fell off before I bolted the manifold down) Just did the work yesterday, left it on vacuum all night, charged today, works great. Hopefully will work tomorrow as my a/c would only leak enough to not be cold, but wouldn't ever actually leak enough out to never turn on the compressor
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 253
Likes: 38
From: Austin Tx
Excellent write-up
I just finished my compressor replacement. I've done a few before, but never on a vette.
I also pulled the condenser to clean the rocks, grass and leaves. Glad I did. The radiator was abt 1/4 clogged with debris!
I used the same flushing fluid as pictured in the write-up. I wasn't very happy with the "fast drying". Some of the fluid was spilled on the driveway. It took over 4 hrs for the stuff to evaporate in full sunshine on a warm/dry day. I've heard that brake cleaner works good. May look into that next time I have to flush a sys.
Thx again for the write-up. It saved me a lot of time!
I just finished my compressor replacement. I've done a few before, but never on a vette.
I also pulled the condenser to clean the rocks, grass and leaves. Glad I did. The radiator was abt 1/4 clogged with debris!
I used the same flushing fluid as pictured in the write-up. I wasn't very happy with the "fast drying". Some of the fluid was spilled on the driveway. It took over 4 hrs for the stuff to evaporate in full sunshine on a warm/dry day. I've heard that brake cleaner works good. May look into that next time I have to flush a sys.
Thx again for the write-up. It saved me a lot of time!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
I too had a compressor failure and followed Rocco's excellent write-up to the letter. While everything was apart I also pulled the condensor for flushing and found the uppermost quarter clogged with sand and other debris. It took quite a while to get that junk out without harming the fins.
I found the hardest task to be removal of the orifice from the hard line. That thing was glued in with crud and my needle nose pliers kept slipping off the plastic extraction tab. I finally broke it loose and wrestled it out after soaking it in lacquer thinner and fishing it out with a coat hanger that had a hook bent into one end. For a while it looked as though I might have to buy a new hard line.
The rebuilt system now cools better than when the car was new and it's been three years now. Rocco, you are the man!
I found the hardest task to be removal of the orifice from the hard line. That thing was glued in with crud and my needle nose pliers kept slipping off the plastic extraction tab. I finally broke it loose and wrestled it out after soaking it in lacquer thinner and fishing it out with a coat hanger that had a hook bent into one end. For a while it looked as though I might have to buy a new hard line.
The rebuilt system now cools better than when the car was new and it's been three years now. Rocco, you are the man!
Last edited by Cratecruncher; Dec 1, 2010 at 11:32 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 3
From: somewhere shooting my assault rifles
Man after reading all that Im ready just to rip all my a/c stuff out and leave it out. I wish these cars came with an a/c option not to have it. Ive never even turned my a/c on in last 7 years.
Nice write up.
Nice write up.
Last edited by Z06supercharged; Dec 13, 2010 at 12:01 AM.