93mkviii
Dedicated LVC Member
What's the best/cheapest way to go about replacing my compressor? Is there anyway I can buy the compressor myself and then have the freon done by a shop? Any suggestions?
A/C Compressor replacement
- Thread starter 93mkviii
- Start date
chris2523
93 Mark VIII
uh. yes. go buy a compressor, replace it, have someone vacuum down the system, and then fill it.
You can do it yourself with no problems. You will need a 10mm wratcheting wrench. You can let the AC manifold loose then there are 3 more long bolts that hold the compressor in place.
Get the $30 charge kit with the detachable hose from Autozone and you can rent their vac pump for free. Get the charge kit that has the synthetic R134 in the blue cans that says something like "20% cooler" cause it really works.
Take the fill hose the kit comes with and hook it to the low pressure side and screw the other end into the vac pump. Make sure the fill tubes valve is open and turn the pump on. Let it draw a vac for 30 minutes or so.
The fill kit will have oil in the cans but its still a good idea to get a seperate comp oil bottle and pour a couple caps into the compressor and then spin it by hand a few times before hooking the ac manifold back up.
You will also want new green o-rings for the manifold.
Get the $30 charge kit with the detachable hose from Autozone and you can rent their vac pump for free. Get the charge kit that has the synthetic R134 in the blue cans that says something like "20% cooler" cause it really works.
Take the fill hose the kit comes with and hook it to the low pressure side and screw the other end into the vac pump. Make sure the fill tubes valve is open and turn the pump on. Let it draw a vac for 30 minutes or so.
The fill kit will have oil in the cans but its still a good idea to get a seperate comp oil bottle and pour a couple caps into the compressor and then spin it by hand a few times before hooking the ac manifold back up.
You will also want new green o-rings for the manifold.
Moes8
Dedicated LVC Member
+1 to what laser said.
i did this 3 years ago, not too hard.
If your old compressor took a crap then you need to worry about debris in your system,otherwise you might be ok.
i did this 3 years ago, not too hard.
If your old compressor took a crap then you need to worry about debris in your system,otherwise you might be ok.
ASMBLYLINE
Well-Known LVC Member
You can buy one of my three extra compressors too!
kustomizingkid
Dedicated LVC Member
If you compressor is leaking you can just do that... if it ate itself you need to flush the entire system...
Its a must that you vac out the system and also put the correct amount of refrigerant in... I bought all the tools to do AC last summer, it scared me at first, but now its a cake walk.
Its a must that you vac out the system and also put the correct amount of refrigerant in... I bought all the tools to do AC last summer, it scared me at first, but now its a cake walk.
93mkviii
Dedicated LVC Member
Thanks. What is the A/C manifold(Is it the cover of the high and low pressure side)? Otherwise I get the whole procedure except the green o-rings only because I don't know what the manifold is. I'll start getting all the parts. BTW my compressor did start burning up so will the vac drain all the freon out as kustomizingkid said the system needs to be flushed. Also, which compressor?
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...ine_10052250-P_387_R|GRP60000_1701808252____#
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...y-Air_3895777-P_387_R|GRP60000_1637467418____
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...y-Air_18892542-P_387_R|GRP60000_458208768____
93mkviii
Dedicated LVC Member
if you can give me a better deal than $119 ($169-$50) with shipping.
Moes8
Dedicated LVC Member
manifold is the "pipe" bolted to the compressor, silver manifold with 2 pipes, intake and exhaust lines connected to it.
all the compressors you show are correct FS10, dont know the differences,maybe warranty?
if comp was seizing you should get the whole system flushed, you may also want to replace the drier. otherwise you may burn the new compressor up .
ASMBLYLINE
Well-Known LVC Member
How's 50 bucks shipped sound? I even have one painted black.
MediumD
Dedicated LVC Member
Mostly. There's a "Tough One" brand that I've never even heard of, and there's a new and a reman Factory Air brand. They're probably all junk, you might get lucky, but these aftermarket compressors probably average 1/3 of them needing replacement within a couple months.
Autozone used to sell a Denso FS10 but have apparently discontinued it, that was the one I'd have recommended. Carquest has a few decent brands usually, don't know about FS10s in particular, but they'd be worth a look.
Frankly I'd throw a used one in over most of the aftermarkets.
93mkviii
Dedicated LVC Member
The compressor still works/clutch rotates but it bogs down the engine alot and smokes after a while of use. After that i quit using it. It hasn't seized on me yet.
93mkviii
Dedicated LVC Member
How old/used are they? I might consider it but the only problem is it may die on me in the next few months and then I don't have warranty either. But considering how Factory Air parts are useless I may give it a chance.
ASMBLYLINE
Well-Known LVC Member
Well I've parted 4 cars. The first with 34k, 103k, 150k, 160k. I do know which one came off of the 103k car because I painted that one black as I was going to use it in my setup in my 98. As for the other two one was off the 150k the other was off 160k. The previous owner of the 160k did replace the compressor but mileage is unknown. I'll post pics of the compressor tonight after work.
ASMBLYLINE
Well-Known LVC Member
Here's the pics of the compressor
MediumD
Dedicated LVC Member
Hell, if he doesn't want it I'll take it. I was going to just pull one at the junkyard, but they have the nerve to charge almost 40 bucks w/tax...
93mkviii
Dedicated LVC Member
Am I the only one not able to see the pictures?
ASMBLYLINE
Well-Known LVC Member
I'll try again
Moes8
Dedicated LVC Member
Why is that compressor all black? No way in hell I would use that thing.
1. Paint in the tubes is a major no no. It wont seal and now you have contamination in the system.
2. The belt will slip on the pulley that has paint on it.
3. The clutch may burn up and slip due to the paint on the face.
No sir, wouldnt use it.
1. Paint in the tubes is a major no no. It wont seal and now you have contamination in the system.
2. The belt will slip on the pulley that has paint on it.
3. The clutch may burn up and slip due to the paint on the face.
No sir, wouldnt use it.
Moes8
Dedicated LVC Member
bahhh!
swap the manifold tubes and you are fine, paint will wear off in ten minutes tops
swap the manifold tubes and you are fine, paint will wear off in ten minutes tops
ASMBLYLINE
Well-Known LVC Member
Well... All orifices of the compressor were plugged during paint. I currently have 2 engines with all pulleys painted and never experienced any problems. Belt slippage due to paint? I don't really see that happening. Clutch burning up? There is no paint between the clutch pulley and cap. But I understand your looking out for another member and that's cool.But I personally think the chance of any of that happening is zero.