2001 5.3 AC compressor locked up

[1yesfan]

My has been squawking at me for a time off and on. Well it locked on the wife this weekend. What type of job would this be to replace the compressor? I just did coilovers on my Miata, is this that hard?

 

[SnowDrifter]

It's not hard. More the equipment needed. assuming the compressor seized and didn't introduce any contaminants to the system:

You'll need an evac/recharge machine with leak testing capability

You'll want to evacuate the system, replace the compressor, replace the drier, replace the orifice tube, add oil to the system appropriate to what came out and the parts you are replacing, pull a vacuum for 30-45 mins to dry the system, leak check it for 30 minutes, then install a measured amount of refrigerant to the quantity specified

 

[1yesfan]

What can I expect to pay a shop to do this job?

 

[SnowDrifter]

No real straight answer. Depends on the labor rates of the shop and what parts they use. Figure they'll want to replace the compressor, drier, expansion valve, belt, evac/recharge costs at a minimum. Some places will want to either flush the system or replace the condenser / evap cores too due to liability concerns if the compressor let go and dumped debris into the system. Call around a few places and get some quotes. Won't take you but a few minutes