AC Compressor Replacement

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Apr 29, 2009 | 04:07 AM

Cscokd

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 1,727

Likes: 19

From: Carson City, NV

AC Compressor Replacement

Does anybody know if I need to drain the coolant and remove the water pump in order to replace the AC compressor? Shop manual says to do it, but has anyone here done a replacement themselves and can give my some pointers before I dive in?
Thanks for any help.
Cheers
John

Apr 29, 2009 | 10:26 AM

RoccoC5

Burning Brakes

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 966

Likes: 9

From: Phoenix AZ

I found that it was much easier to remove the water pump when swapping the compressor. I put together this WRITE-UP when I did mine. Hope it helps.

- Rocco

Last edited by RoccoC5; Jul 1, 2013 at 08:11 PM. Reason: Fixed link

Apr 29, 2009 | 05:41 PM

ajg1915

Race Director

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 15,960

Likes: 21

From: West Norriton PA

St. Jude Donor '08

If you got headers, it may be easier to go the way of the manual.

You could also try removing headers and motor mount bolts to access to the bottom bolt.

Apr 30, 2009 | 02:31 AM

Cscokd

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 1,727

Likes: 19

From: Carson City, NV

Thanks guys...I just want to avoid the mess of draining the coolant and removing the water pump if possible.

Apr 30, 2009 | 11:26 AM

Last C5

Safety Car

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 3,904

Likes: 28

From: Vancouver Washington

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoccoC5

I found that it was much easier to remove the water pump when swapping the compressor. I put together this WRITE-UP when I did mine. Hope it helps.

- Rocco

Saved to CD for future use. Thank you sir. Very well done.

May 1, 2009 | 12:29 AM

Cscokd

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 1,727

Likes: 19

From: Carson City, NV

My compressor has been leaking for a while now so it was not clear how much oil to put back in. I can measure it when I drain the compressor but that won't mean much, so I guess I'll put back 2.5 oz.

How much is the gauges and the pressurized flush gun setup?
John

May 1, 2009 | 06:52 AM

SteveDoten

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 6,253

Likes: 222

From: Farmington CT

Cruise-In VII Veteran

YES, WP is rem'd

3 bolts and stud can be accessed from RHS wheel well

another note: I always leave the ac pump IN the car during a motor swap, takes time w/ the bolts, but saves time reservicing refrig.

Jul 16, 2013 | 11:12 AM

Jake's Dragstrip

1st Gear

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 1

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoccoC5

I found that it was much easier to remove the water pump when swapping the compressor. I put together this WRITE-UP when I did mine. Hope it helps.

- Rocco

Thank you RoccoC5 for posting an excellent write up. I started and completed the job in a little over 4 hours time!

A word of advice though...be careful where you stick your fingers. I let the bolt that secures the lines to compressor fall on to the frame rail. When I started to feel around to find it (no visual) I stuck my finger down beside the frame rail and the motor mount and got my finger lodged between the flange on top of the mount and the frame rail. To make matters worse I have a wart on the knuckle of that finger. Well, that flange has an indention where I stuck my finger and I couldn't slide my finger sideways so there I sit under the wheel well trying to figure out a way to get my finger loose. After 10 minutes or so I used an air hose to retrieve a large screw driver that was out of reach and used it to bend the flange.