A/C repair

[Oak51]

I took my OBS to a local shop to have my a/c serviced and I ended up finding out that my compressor was leaking. The guy at the shop said that it would be 1200 to fix it. My question is does anyone know how difficult it would be for me to replace the compressor and what I would need to do it myself. I don't have much mechanical experience but for 1200 I'm sure I could learn to do it myself.

[SunlitComet]

Discharge system and evacuate it at least once. Compressor is removed. system oil is added as needed. install compressor.Evacuate system again. Then recharge and performance test. In simple terms any way.

Are your sure there was not something else wrong as well. Cause that is a total ripoff.:imo:

[X3N0N]

Are your sure there was not something else wrong as well. Cause that is a total ripoff.:imo:

Probably so, $1200.00 total rip off. Im sure the dryer and orfice tube were in the quote as well...?

[Oak51]

Yep this is a rip off...they want to charge me 700 for the compressor and 100 for the receiver dryer and 200 to install them then they want to charge 120 to evacuate and recharge the a/c...does anyone know if there's a how to thread on replacing these parts?

[X3N0N]

Compressor is pretty gravy, just remove the belt and the bolts to the compressor, disconnect the connections and ac line and pull it out. Dryer same way, disconnect the lines and unbolt it. I dont know about anyone else, but after installing the new parts, get the system recharged since they can vacuum the system and put the right amount of Freon in. Just to ensure the system has been vacuumed fully and will show any leaks...

[SunlitComet]

Can get you instructions for each piece if you want to see if you are up to it.

[ScottyBoy]

I just had this same problem on my 01 Suburban. Cheapest quote I got was 1200 and that was with a cheap ass remanufactured compressor. I ended up ordering all AC Delco parts from Rockauto for just over 300 for everything. I had to get it evacuated and then recharged when I was done installing the parts. That cost me 150 including the freon. So by doing it myself, I saved over 700 bucks. Plus I have much better parts too.
And changing it is not hard. If you can change a starter, or a water pump, then you can change the AC compressor, drier and orifice tube.

[ChiTahoe]

Hate to tell you but you're not being ripped off at all. Thats what a usual shop will charge to do a a/c compressor.

It is not difficult to change, thus only being $200, and the $120 evac and recharge is normal too. Mark up on the compressor and drier is right on the money.

There is a difference between DIY and having a shop do it, just think about it.

[Oak51]

I'll take any help I can get, as I've never done this before. It's starting to heat up outside and I need my a/c to work so if you have the instructions I'll take them gladly. Thanks

[ChiTahoe]

First let us know what kind of car you have.
Gather up all of your parts first, A/c compressor, drier assembly, a/c line on top of compressor (i would recommend), Orifice tube, compressor oil and a belt (since you're taking the old one off anyways). go to a shop and ask them to discharge the system. They may do it at no cost even. You'll need to start taking everything off, before you put everything together lubricate all the o-rings so they don'y cut or leak when you're done. Add about 2 oz of compressor oil into the compressor and spin it before installing. Install everything then take it to a shop and have it vacuumed and recharged. Someone else will chime in on the how to I'm sure.

[Diller]

Yep this is a rip off...they want to charge me 700 for the compressor and 100 for the receiver dryer and 200 to install them then they want to charge 120 to evacuate and recharge the a/c...does anyone know if there's a how to thread on replacing these parts?

RETAIL on a new OEM compressor is only $529.56.....so that alone, I would say is a ripoff, if they're going to charge you $700 for just the compressor.

[SunlitComet]

Per Oak51's request:


Compressor

Remove or Disconnect


Negative battery cable.
Recover refrigerant (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV26610075%7EC23455%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/41746574/42420426/42420487/42420488/34853741/34865608/56273766).
Drive belt.
Refrigerant (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV26610075%7EC23455%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/41746574/42420426/42420487/42420488/34853741/34865608/56273766) hose assembly from compressor. Cap or plug all open connections.
Electrical connectors, as necessary.
Bolts.
Compressor from bracket.
Drain and measure compressor oil.

Install or Connect



Fill compressor with oil.
Compressor to bracket.
Compressor mounting bolts. Tighten Bolts to 50 Nm (37 lb ft) .

[SunlitComet]

Accumulator

Remove or Disconnect


Negative battery cable.
Recover refrigerant (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV26610075%7EC23455%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/41746574/42420426/42420487/42420488/34853741/34865608/56273766).
Electrical connectors, as necessary.
Pressure cycling switch.
Refrigerant (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV26610075%7EC23455%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/41746574/42420426/42420487/42420488/34853741/34865608/56273766) hose from accumulator using J 38042.
Accumulator from the evaporator using J 38042.
O-ring seals from accumulator. Important Cap or plug all open connections.
Accumulator bracket screw.
Accumulator.
Upper and lower accumulator insulators.

Install or Connect



Upper and lower accumulator insulators.
Accumulator.
Accumulator bracket screw. Tighten screw to 6 Nm (53 lb in) .
New O-ring seals.





Coat O-ring seals with 525 viscosity refrigerant oil (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV26610075%7EC23455%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/41746574/42420426/42420487/42420488/34853741/34865608/72634452).





Accumulator to the evaporator.Tighten Accumulator to 41 Nm (30 lb ft) .
Refrigerant (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV26610075%7EC23455%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/41746574/42420426/42420487/42420488/34853741/34865608/56273766) hose to accumulator. Tighten Hose to 41 Nm (30 lb ft) .
Pressure cycling switch.
Electrical connectors, as necessary.
Negative battery cable.
Charge system.





Check system for leaks.

[Oak51]

Thanks I'm going to give it a try

[01Tahoebot]

There is a Universal filter that should be replaced too. If doing the a/c repair work, may as well do that.

[SunlitComet]

And what universal filter might that be?

[Spawrtan]

all good posts, but it is not good to vent this stuff into the atmosphere. Better to have a pro evacuate the system and store it.

[JubjubW]

I was having the same problem, and wanted to ask what everyone thought of these kits, my compressor is leaking by the back seal.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-A-C-Compressor-Kit-96-99-TAHOE-Without-Rear-AC-/230652724303?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1996|Model%3ATahoe&hash=item35b3f9444f#ht_1986wt_3595

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AC-COMPRESSOR-KIT-1996-1999-CHEVY-TAHOE-SUBURBAN-5-7-/230607406741?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35b145c695#ht_2363wt_939

[SunlitComet]

ACdelco or delphi or nothing.

[blizz]

My AC is hosed as well and was thinking of taking it somewhere to do the whole thing but I'd rather get the parts I need and replace them and just take it somewhere to vacuum and recharge the system. If I wanted to replace everything, what parts do I need? Can someone give me a parts list?

[SunlitComet]

you would need a the compressor, the receiver/drier and the orifice tube. The tube can get cloggy with its small opening if a leak seal was ever used. the receiver/drier should always be replaced with compressor because the system is left open to expose it to the outside environment. and the compressor...well it is the only moving part in the system that does all the work. Do not forget new seals/o-rings. Did you need actual part numbers?

[blizz]

you would need a the compressor, the receiver/drier and the orifice tube. The tube can get cloggy with its small opening if a leak seal was ever used. the receiver/drier should always be replaced with compressor because the system is left open to expose it to the outside environment. and the compressor...well it is the only moving part in the system that does all the work. Do not forget new seals/o-rings. Did you need actual part numbers?

yeah that would be awesome. what about hoses/lines? do those ever leak? would/should i replace them? i don't know where the leak is coming from but i do know the compressor works when charged, it just loses all the freon in a few days.

[SunlitComet]

it is possible the freon is permeating thru the hose. perhaps you might want to recharge the system again with a UV dye for leak detection but if it looses its charge only in a few day Only when being run chances are the shaft seal on compressor is worn.

---------- Post added at 12:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:19 AM ----------

http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-15-22124-Conditioning-Compressor-Assembly/dp/B001S8896A/

http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-15-1739-Accumulator-Assembly/dp/B000JZ9T4O/

http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-15-50121-Orifice-Assembly/dp/B001A52T80/ This is an auto adjusting orifice which should work better in hot climates. At least that is the idea.

http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-15-30878-Compressor-Condenser-Hose/dp/B000C986GE/ if you want it. all other line are all metal.

You will probably need an orifice tool borrowable from auto zone and get access to the evaporator thru the blower being removed and clean out the evap really well and ensure its drain is free and clear. if you need procedure and oil quantity and type let me know.

---------- Post added at 12:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:00 PM ----------

And all these parts are new no remaned. Oh and reused the padding around drier assembly. new available if needed.

[retorq]

I replaced one of the hoses that I got thru AutoZone, mine has a nasty bubble, not sure how it started but I replace it while I was doing the rest of the stuff.

[LVNeptune]

Probably heat from the engine compartment. Similar to a tire bubbling :)

[blizz]

that's awesome. thanks sunlit. $370 for all new ac delco parts is pretty good. i don't know if i should spend $76 on a new hose when there might not be anything wrong with mine.

[SunlitComet]

if it looks oily or cracked then chuck it.

[retorq]

that's awesome. thanks sunlit. $370 for all new ac delco parts is pretty good. i don't know if i should spend $76 on a new hose when there might not be anything wrong with mine.

It's only $76 and at this point since you don't know where your leak is at it's actually cheaper now then later.

[SunlitComet]

and you do get new valve core and caps too. they can leak too.

[blizz]

yeah that makes sense. would hate to compromise everything over $76