Well my compressor finally blew the freak up today. Driving to Houston in the heat today did it. It was smoking real bad when I stopped, it looks like it's toast.

It was on it's last leg anyhow.

I'd like to just buy a reman. compressor and install it myself. I have the FSM, but they talk to you like you're a genius already, so I figured I'd ask you guys first.

I'm just going to get one with the clutch already installed, so it seems like I just have to pop it right in?

Give me some advice please. I've just never done a compressor, but it doesn't seem that hard.

I've never recharged an ac either.

I know it might be "illegal" to do it at home, so I've heard, but I don't give a crap at this point.

What tools do I need? What parts? etc....

thanks!

 

vehicle type?

 

Geez...I forgot...sorry.


1993 pickup 22re reg Cab

 

Don't ever buy a reman compressor, theyre junk. I had one that I bought from napa and I put the oil in it and didn't even charge it with freon yet, and two days later the bearing went and it froze up. So it was only spinning free without any load from running the a/c at all. I have a friend who is a mechanic that specializes in a/c systems and he said NEVER buy a reman, and he was right. Do yourself a big favor and buy a new one. The extra hundred bucks is worth it. There are only two manufacturers of ac compressors in the U.S. and neither will warrant do it yourself ac work. I had to fight and fight to get my money back. Then I bought a new one and haven't had any problems. Good luck.

 

The hardest part is evacuating the Freon. DO NOT just vent the stuff....thats stupid AND Illegal. Take it to a shop, who can evac it for you. You'll feel better anyways.

Then, its just a matter of:
1.loosening up the tensioner bolt
2.Remove the belt
3.Remove the 10mm bolts holding the lines to the pump
4.Remove the 12mm bolts (4) holding the pump to the bracket

and VOILA! pull the pump up and out!

Install is the reverse directions. Then you can A. Take it to a shop and have them recharge the system, or B. Buy the r143a conversion kit at Napa.

BTW your system is R12 right now, and since they dont make that kind of refrigerant anymore, its almost IMPOSSIBLE to find. No parts stores sell it that i know of.

Also, definetly do not go reman. Go new, or buy a good low mileage used pump. Perhaps one from Nix99!!

 

Thanks a lot guys. I figured it wasn't too difficult...just the thing with the draining.

So, let me recap...correct me if I'm wrong.

Let a place drain it for me.

Take it all off, put it back on.

Then, recharge with a R134 kit

That pretty much it? Any important steps I'm missing?

 

Almost- before you recharge it:

1. Get a new receiver / drier. You should always replace this when you open up the A/C system- it helps keeps moisture out of your system. DO NOT let the parts guy sell you one that has been exposed- ie; the ports on the top should be sealed with a rubber plug of some sort. When you gently pull away the plug or whatever- you should hear a slight hissing; this is from the manufacturer- they leave the factory with a slight vacuum that is sealed in. You can get these for about $13-$40; most are made by the same place.

2. evacuate the system- this sucks out any impurities / crap / moisture. Have the same place you had drain it do this. What they do is put about 30in of vacuum on the system for about 30 mins to suck anything out. This is also when they can find leaks cheaply.

 

Great, thanks 89934runr!

I forgot about the drier.

 

Use PAG 46 oil. The new compressors come with oil already in them so factor that into your math when you add the oil. Also your system will take 2-3 cans of freon.

What is worng with your old compressor?? Toyota sells a rebuild kit for all the seals, usally it is the front seal that goes bad and loses freon.

 

I'm assuming the old one is toast because it was smoking really bad and basically looks burnt up.

The truck has 217k miles on it, and I'm sure this is the original...lol. My new engine only has 7k on it, but the ac compressor is old.

 

the one in our fan froze up and did the same thing we, just went to a junker got one and put it in, the problem we had was the belt arrangement. but we got it goin good.

 

Yep sounds like a new one would be the best way to go. Check eBay, I got my NEW Denso units for $100 but I think the guy went up to $150, but still worth the price.

 

Oh and I forgot to mention both of those Denso units I got are larger than the old units. The ones I got are for a 4Runner which are larger than a pickups and cool much better, so you will need to source the correct bracket from a junk yard.

 

Thanks Bear.

I took my truck to Firestone today to recover the R12 out of it. Only costs 40 bucks to do it...figured that was good. Not a lot of places recover R12 anymore...especially in this liberal mecca.

Anyhow. I looked at some kits at PepBoys today, and there's one that will apparently flush and recharge it with R134, it's only like 40 bucks or so.

The Firestone guy said I need to replace the fittings/seals or whatever for R134. I've read in a few places that that was bs and you didn't need to do that, but I'll do it anyhow I suppose.

Now, I'm off to find a compressor. As you can read above, some people aren't fond of rebuilt compressors, but it's either that or a used one. A used one going for 15 bux right now on Ebay...keeping an eye on that one!