SteveG

Has any DIYer here replaced their compressor? I have oil dripping, a drop or two only after running the system, of course the system is low on freon. I think it is the seal behind the clutch, but it is a PITA to find anyone locally to do A/C work. This on an '85, I don't want to change over to 134a. I have a new dryer and freon, gauges and a recharge station that heats the resevoir. I'm looking at buying a remanufactured compressor, installing the dryer and comp with new seals and pulling a vacuum for a couple hours and refilling with r12. I have the standard fuel line flange wrenches, but I bet they are not big enough for these lines. Any pointers?

OrionKhan

Here's a really good write up on it from the SOCAL928 site by Keith...AC compressor

zoltan944

i did it, its not THAT bad.... but it is a huge PITA... The lines are like 22 and 24/27mm they are connected ot the compressor by 6mm allen which i busted 1 getting the bolts out

SteveG

Orion, all, thanks. I'm still thinking about giving it one more try on the phone to find someone to do the seal before tackling this. It's never as easy as it looks and this doesn't look easy. Plus, the $139-guy on ebay doesn't one to fit mine. The cheapest I can find is $220.

SteveG

Just to document this on the thread, I was on the phone with Greg at Technochoiceparts, Midlothian, TX. He was very helpful. They are the vendor on ebay w/remanufactured compressor for $220 + 13 shipping. It comes w/o oil. The Nippendenso I bought for the''85 5.0L needs 9 oz of mineral oil, which he said any auto supply should still stock. In order to avoid a slug of oil hitting the compressor all at once, he recommends putting 3 oz in the compressor, 3 oz in the dryer, 3 oz in the condensor or the hose from the compressor to the condensor.

dr bob

Many reman compressor vendors insist that you rotate the compressor by hand for a few dozen revolutions before installing the belt. Clears any accumulated oil from the cylinders, saving pistons and such from hydro lockup damage. I think I put 8oz in the compressor and did the hand-rotate trick, no problems.

Andre Roodnat

I did it. Wasn't that hard. Then again I didn't have to replace the tubing, just the compressor itself. You can have the system pressurized with a special gas, which can been seen with special goggles. This will at least show the place(s) of the leak(s). If all lines are intact, the can remain in there, which will save you a bundle and a they are a b!tch to replace, as all the car's plumbing is in the way.