Wondering why everyone says the AC compressor replacement is a pro only job and requires special tools.

I read through the procedure in the FSM and don't see any issues.

Perhaps some of our more knowledgable people would enlighten me?

Thanks

 

Well for starters, it's illegal to release the refrigerant to the air. Next, when the compressor fails, there is a very high probability that the rest of the system has been contaminated with debris. You will likely have to evacuate/flush the system and replace other components (drier, orifice, accumulator). All this being said, if the compressor “just blew” up and you just want to be able to drive the car to the A/C shop, it’s pretty easy to swap out, just don’t turn it on until all that other stuff is checked out by the pros.

 

The special tools involved can add up quick...vacuum pump, charging manifold with gauges, and the disconnect tools. If your system has any amount of refrigerant in it, you'll need a recovery cylinder as well. If your system has been discharged for any reason, the amount of refrigerant leftover would probably be considered a "de minimis" release (minimal and unintentional). Although R-134a is not supposed to be as environmentally-hazardous as say, R-12, you should still avoid the INTENTIONAL release of any quantity of it.

Unless you have all of the above, and a license from the EPA to handle refrigerant, it is a job best left to a shop that performs HVAC system maintenance and repairs.

If you have everything necessary, including that license, best of luck...it is not a difficult task to perform.

 

Little qualifying information:

I've replaced components on my '93 and converted it from R12 to 134a, as my understanding, the compressor on that vehicle continued normal operations until like 170K, I serviced it at around 90K. So that compressor lasted 170K even with me switching it over about half way into its life and didn't change anything but evap, canister and a few o rings and of course the new oil and 134a.

With 134a I don't believe you need a license as the product is sold on the shelf for DIY'ers. However, to do it commercially then yes you would need a license, and then the EPA jumps in regulating businesses on recovery, etc.

Besides that, I don't work that way anyway. I would take it to an AC shop or Chevy and have them discharge it and purge the system. I did the same thing when parts failed on my '93.

Prior to yesterday, it was cold on local short drives but if I drove continuously like from my house to the coast after about 40 minutes the system barely pushes cool air. If you stop and looked at the pipes they are iced over solid. Once that ice melts it's back to normal again. And I could tell it was struggling more and more to keep real cold air.

Chevy said the compressor is not doing what it is suppose to and needs replaced. But it's still charged up and functioning just not putting out cold air. I questioned that and asked for a more technical answer but I got nothing from them.

At Chevy yesterday I had them look it over and asked to eval the system, evac'd and recharge the system and to replace the orfice tube while it was discharged. They charged me $210., said it had a little too much 134a (couple tenths of a lb difference??) removing some and recharging the system. Then told me my compressor needed replacing and that would be little over $1400. I discussed with the advisor that he was quoting full retail on the compressor at $760. and I could get a 'new' AC-Delco for $418. They went off to an office came back and said no budge on price. (Funny this dealer is remodeling construction so they have the parts guys, customers and cashier all sitting in a trailer, so the parts guys on nearly every call are selling to jobbers stating this is the list, here's your cost.) I mention that because the service guy standing right next to them while this is all going on but would not budge. So, sorry I'll pay the labor rate, and all the other costs they sack you with but I'm not paying nearly double for the price of a part.

Ok I digress.

So as I mentioned, I read through the procedures last night in my FSM. I didn't see any reference to any special tool requirement. It seems fairly straight forward, drain the coolant, remove the belt, remove the water pump, then remove the compressor.

Measure the PAG oil from the compressor then drain the tank on the compressor and add that up, then add that amount of new PAG oil to the new compressor and install.

Wipe the pipe connections with lint free cloth and wipe with refrigerant oil the two new seals and connect the dual pipes. Torque everything up.

Install the water pump with two new gaskets. Refill the system.

So at this point I think it seems pretty straight forward. I would need to check but I wonder if leaving the belt off until I get it to an AC place or the dealer, put the belt on then they can evac and recharge.

Or would it not hurt to put the belt on during installation but not turn on the system until it gets to the shop for recharge?

Are people saying "special" tools referring to refrigerant containment systems and nice set of gages? If that's true, then I would let an AC place handle that. I'm concerned with the physical procedure to swap the compressor.

Wondering if anyone here has done this procedure and is this a job that can be done by the DIY and what precautions should be considered and will that work installing a new compressor and take it to a shop for charging without any damage.

 

The gauges, recovery, and evac equipment are all the "special" tools that I was referring to.
I see no issue with your plan to install a new compressor and have a shop evac and recharge. As long as you do not turn on the A/C, I see no reason why you couldn't reinstall the belt for the drive to the shop...it will just "free-wheel" the pulley...shouldn't harm the compressor.

It sounds like a DIY'er such as you could swap the compressor out in a weekend's time or less...

Have fun and please post your experiences and tips!!

 

Excellent. Thanks for the follow up.

They say it's a 4.1 hr job, at the rate I move these days LOL I'll double that.

It would be nice to have a lift, but I think I can manage by just putting the front end up on the ramps, that way I have sufficient room to work underneath especially for the belt.

I was going to replace the water pump too while it was off, but found out the new models had a modification done which requires a new thermostat housing. My cost would be around $240 on both of those parts but I think that is too much to replace something that is not broken. So just the gaskets.

Anyone else who has done this and has any tips or tricks for the job, I'd appreciate the feedback.

 

Here's a link to a good write up:

http://trans5.com/docs/C5%20AC%20Com...eplacement.pdf

 

That is awesome!! Thank you very much

These kinds of write ups are what completes the FSM. Thanks...

 

Before reading that writeup, I had never done a/c work although I have done other mechanical work including building various 2 stroke and 4 stroke performance motors. Thanks to that writeup my a/c blows cold like it should.
Good luck with your project.

Tim

 

 

Here's a great writeup on the procedure. I posted this not too long ago for someone else and he did the job himself and was sucsessful, however I don't know what his skill level was or what your is as this is not an easy job. Heres the links and you judge for yourself. Good luck bro!

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...ght=compressor

 

Awesome, ah yes good ole junkman.

Thanks, I'm saving all these PDFs plus the my FSMs which will give me a complete procedure plus all the tips and tricks. I thank all of you guys.

I feel my skill level is pretty high, my father taught me mechanics as a little guy starting with holding the flashlight for him some 50 years ago. So far I haven't had anything that has stumped me other than jobs I don't have facilities for like a lift which made removing the fuel tank much easier. But for the most part I do all my own maintenance and repairs, LOL I trust my work!

My only problem these days is the aging body! Mine that is.