This is a DIY on the removal and replacement of the Air Conditioning Compressor. I am offering this as a guide and maybe complete or missing information that I consider common sense or I expect people to already know how to do. I am not responsible for any damage you cause your car by doing this DIY. If you decide to do this good luck and I hope it goes well.
I have been working on cars since I was 13 years old and helped my dad restore a 1966 Jaguar Mark X. I also owned an automotive repair shop and what I am doing here is exactly how I would do a client***8217;s car if it came in with this problem.
First let me tell you what happen to my car. I replaced the Evaporator to my car (I did not do a DIY for it, but I posted pics in the forum) and about two weeks later the compressor failed. What the compressor did is locked up and it did it so hard it shut my car off. I turned off the A/C switch and kept on driving until I could buy a new (reman) compressor.
Second the parts and equipment you are going to need is important. Here is a picture of what I bought.
List of needed items: A/C Compressor, Receiver/Drier, and as an extra an Inline filter.
I am going to do a separate DIY on how to install the Inline filter. I recommend this little item makes a difference.
I went ahead and removed all of the Freon by connecting it to an A/C machine. This machine is a must (you can go to an auto shop to have them do it) it is illegal to dump Freon into the air. This machine recovers the old Freon as well as vacuum and recharge.
I went ahead and removed the Belly Pan (I had use of a lift makes the work real easy.lol)
Since I had removed the belly pan You can see the Bad compressor and the Belt Tensioner. Using a tensioner tool remove the belt. The arrow points to the 16mm. nut you attach to the tensioner and remove belt.
I then lowered the car and went to work on getting all of the junk off the top.
You should remove the headlight to get access to the Receiver/Drier
Remove the two 6mm Bolts. Remove the drier but do not replace it yet. You will do this later.
Next go for the removal the two 6mm Bolts that hold the A/C lines on the Compressor.
Here is a Technicians tip for you. Tap the allen tool with a hammer (lightly) into place so it is completely into the allen head. I use socket allens.
After removal of these two bolts you are done for the moment on top of the car. Time to get under the car.
Remove the three bolts and take compressor off of the car.
This is the crucial part of any A/C job. With the Compressor and the drier out you need to flush out the A/C condenser and Evaporator. This really is crucial. I used an alcohol based A/C flush to do this. Here is a picture of what I use to flush out the system. You fill it with flush connect it to air line then put the nozzle on the line that feeds the condenser and spray away till it all comes out clear and no more oil, flush and dirt. You should do it twice at least. Make sure it comes out clean.
Sorry no pictures of me doing the flush. But here is a picture of what was once a blue clean rag covered in dirty oil after the flush. I recommend putting the rag around the opposite line that you are flushing so you don***8217;t make a huge mess.
When you are done with all the flushing go ahead and install the Compressor in the car, just like you took it off. My compressor came filled with oil so I left the cover plates on it so I would not spill the oil. The compressor came with 8 ounces of oil in it. Once you have put the three bolts in go ahead and put the belt back on and the belly pan, you are done under the car.
Now lower the car and install the Drier and A/C compressor lines (lube the new o-rings with a/c oil makes it easier to go in.)
This is the old compressor (I shook the compressor and it had loose parts in it, Threw a rod Internally). I hope this picture helps you understand the compressor set up. Do not forget to reinstall everything you removed to do this job.
The final part to do is Vacuum the system ( I did it for an hour, Florida is humid) and then I went ahead and charged it. The machine I used does everything from one machine and I doubt any of us have one of these at home (they ain***8217;t cheap.lol).
This DIY should give you a full idea of what it takes to do the A/C work and get your car back in the cold. I finished it and now have A/C again. This is not an easy job, but it can be done.
Good Luck and have fun folks.
PM me with any questions about this.
I also want to dedicate this DIY to Andy (Neo328ci) a fanatic taken from us to early in life. I may have not known you, but I always enjoyed your posts.
I have been working on cars since I was 13 years old and helped my dad restore a 1966 Jaguar Mark X. I also owned an automotive repair shop and what I am doing here is exactly how I would do a client***8217;s car if it came in with this problem.
First let me tell you what happen to my car. I replaced the Evaporator to my car (I did not do a DIY for it, but I posted pics in the forum) and about two weeks later the compressor failed. What the compressor did is locked up and it did it so hard it shut my car off. I turned off the A/C switch and kept on driving until I could buy a new (reman) compressor.
Second the parts and equipment you are going to need is important. Here is a picture of what I bought.
List of needed items: A/C Compressor, Receiver/Drier, and as an extra an Inline filter.
I am going to do a separate DIY on how to install the Inline filter. I recommend this little item makes a difference.
I went ahead and removed all of the Freon by connecting it to an A/C machine. This machine is a must (you can go to an auto shop to have them do it) it is illegal to dump Freon into the air. This machine recovers the old Freon as well as vacuum and recharge.
I went ahead and removed the Belly Pan (I had use of a lift makes the work real easy.lol)
Since I had removed the belly pan You can see the Bad compressor and the Belt Tensioner. Using a tensioner tool remove the belt. The arrow points to the 16mm. nut you attach to the tensioner and remove belt.
I then lowered the car and went to work on getting all of the junk off the top.
You should remove the headlight to get access to the Receiver/Drier
Remove the two 6mm Bolts. Remove the drier but do not replace it yet. You will do this later.
Next go for the removal the two 6mm Bolts that hold the A/C lines on the Compressor.
Here is a Technicians tip for you. Tap the allen tool with a hammer (lightly) into place so it is completely into the allen head. I use socket allens.
After removal of these two bolts you are done for the moment on top of the car. Time to get under the car.
Remove the three bolts and take compressor off of the car.
This is the crucial part of any A/C job. With the Compressor and the drier out you need to flush out the A/C condenser and Evaporator. This really is crucial. I used an alcohol based A/C flush to do this. Here is a picture of what I use to flush out the system. You fill it with flush connect it to air line then put the nozzle on the line that feeds the condenser and spray away till it all comes out clear and no more oil, flush and dirt. You should do it twice at least. Make sure it comes out clean.
Sorry no pictures of me doing the flush. But here is a picture of what was once a blue clean rag covered in dirty oil after the flush. I recommend putting the rag around the opposite line that you are flushing so you don***8217;t make a huge mess.
When you are done with all the flushing go ahead and install the Compressor in the car, just like you took it off. My compressor came filled with oil so I left the cover plates on it so I would not spill the oil. The compressor came with 8 ounces of oil in it. Once you have put the three bolts in go ahead and put the belt back on and the belly pan, you are done under the car.
Now lower the car and install the Drier and A/C compressor lines (lube the new o-rings with a/c oil makes it easier to go in.)
This is the old compressor (I shook the compressor and it had loose parts in it, Threw a rod Internally). I hope this picture helps you understand the compressor set up. Do not forget to reinstall everything you removed to do this job.
The final part to do is Vacuum the system ( I did it for an hour, Florida is humid) and then I went ahead and charged it. The machine I used does everything from one machine and I doubt any of us have one of these at home (they ain***8217;t cheap.lol).
This DIY should give you a full idea of what it takes to do the A/C work and get your car back in the cold. I finished it and now have A/C again. This is not an easy job, but it can be done.
Good Luck and have fun folks.
PM me with any questions about this.
I also want to dedicate this DIY to Andy (Neo328ci) a fanatic taken from us to early in life. I may have not known you, but I always enjoyed your posts.