AC Compressor replacement
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 801
Likes: 31
AC Compressor replacement
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-a-2000-a.html
I saw this thread searching for AC Compressor information. I would like to know if people have used the 4 seasons AC Compressor in the past. I would prefer a AC/Delco compressor, but I'm looking to do this on a budget if possible. I have never replaced an AC Compressor before.
What is the best way to tackle this job? Can I rent all the tools needed from auto parts store?
I saw this thread searching for AC Compressor information. I would like to know if people have used the 4 seasons AC Compressor in the past. I would prefer a AC/Delco compressor, but I'm looking to do this on a budget if possible. I have never replaced an AC Compressor before.
What is the best way to tackle this job? Can I rent all the tools needed from auto parts store?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,929
Likes: 386
From: Chandler AZ
I have replaced compressor on brother's Neon, and one on my mom's Grand Am.
Both I got brand new compressors made by 4 seasons, cost a little more but only want to do once.
I would think C5 would be easier to get compressor in and out, those FWD cars are tight and compressors were hardest getting out and in between engine and frame/unibody.
You can rent a vacuum pump at autozone loan a tool.
I bought myself automotive professional type gauges, already had a jug of R134-A, and a refrigerant scale from being in HVAC and refrigeration business.
Also you want to replace drier, and parts store might make you buy a new metering device to get max warranty, 3 years on the ones I put in.
Not sure if they rent refrigerant scale and good gauges.
Maybe you could put the parts on and pay a shop to evacuate and charge with R134-A?
If so, that drier needs to be put in right before vacuum pump starts pulling down a vacuum, the desiccant will start absorbing moisture from the air.
So timing that right could be tricky.
When I do mine I have my gauges and vacuum pump already set up to go and as soon as drier is in, start evacuating.
Both I got brand new compressors made by 4 seasons, cost a little more but only want to do once.
I would think C5 would be easier to get compressor in and out, those FWD cars are tight and compressors were hardest getting out and in between engine and frame/unibody.
You can rent a vacuum pump at autozone loan a tool.
I bought myself automotive professional type gauges, already had a jug of R134-A, and a refrigerant scale from being in HVAC and refrigeration business.
Also you want to replace drier, and parts store might make you buy a new metering device to get max warranty, 3 years on the ones I put in.
Not sure if they rent refrigerant scale and good gauges.
Maybe you could put the parts on and pay a shop to evacuate and charge with R134-A?
If so, that drier needs to be put in right before vacuum pump starts pulling down a vacuum, the desiccant will start absorbing moisture from the air.
So timing that right could be tricky.
When I do mine I have my gauges and vacuum pump already set up to go and as soon as drier is in, start evacuating.
Last edited by 1999corvettels1; Apr 21, 2018 at 02:38 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,929
Likes: 386
From: Chandler AZ
My friend who is also a A/C guy on houses, payed Big O tires to recharge his A/C in his 2005 Chevy Express van, he knows nothing about cars.
They charged a flat rate of I think 130.00 to evacuate and weigh in a full charge.
Just for a reference, summer 2017.
For 130.00 that's not that bad, refrigerant included.
They charged a flat rate of I think 130.00 to evacuate and weigh in a full charge.
Just for a reference, summer 2017.
For 130.00 that's not that bad, refrigerant included.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,929
Likes: 386
From: Chandler AZ
I almost forgot, you will have to pour oil out of old compressor into a bowl or something, find a way to measure it.
Then add that much new oil to new compressor into the suction port, then slowly rotate the hub a few times to draw the oil into the compressor.
There will be a instruction card telling how to do this, the compressor may or may not come with a container of refrigerant oil.
If it doesn't come with oil, buy exact type the card/instructions tell you.
Then add that much new oil to new compressor into the suction port, then slowly rotate the hub a few times to draw the oil into the compressor.
There will be a instruction card telling how to do this, the compressor may or may not come with a container of refrigerant oil.
If it doesn't come with oil, buy exact type the card/instructions tell you.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,929
Likes: 386
From: Chandler AZ
What failed with compressor?
Knocking or locked up?
Are you sure it's not just kicking on because it has low charge?
There is a switch I call low cutout switch, forget what Automotive A/C people call it, trinary switch?, also cuts off compressor when high head pressure.
The Neon clutch coil failed and a new clutch was almost as much as a whole compressor including clutch and hub, plus I had no room to replace clutch coil while on car so I said time for new compressor.
The grand am compressor locked up, when you turned on ac the engine would die.
Knocking or locked up?
Are you sure it's not just kicking on because it has low charge?
There is a switch I call low cutout switch, forget what Automotive A/C people call it, trinary switch?, also cuts off compressor when high head pressure.
The Neon clutch coil failed and a new clutch was almost as much as a whole compressor including clutch and hub, plus I had no room to replace clutch coil while on car so I said time for new compressor.
The grand am compressor locked up, when you turned on ac the engine would die.
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https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-a-2000-a.html
I saw this thread searching for AC Compressor information. I would like to know if people have used the 4 seasons AC Compressor in the past. I would prefer a AC/Delco compressor, but I'm looking to do this on a budget if possible. I have never replaced an AC Compressor before.
What is the best way to tackle this job? Can I rent all the tools needed from auto parts store?
I saw this thread searching for AC Compressor information. I would like to know if people have used the 4 seasons AC Compressor in the past. I would prefer a AC/Delco compressor, but I'm looking to do this on a budget if possible. I have never replaced an AC Compressor before.
What is the best way to tackle this job? Can I rent all the tools needed from auto parts store?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 269
Likes: 112
From: SF Bay Area
I did the AC compressor and component renewal when I did the heads and cam (myself). Also, did the motor mounts (while I'm in there)
It's was much easier with major components out of the way. I can see how labor costs can escalate on a job like this.
It's was much easier with major components out of the way. I can see how labor costs can escalate on a job like this.