First A/C thread!!

[bad_tx_z28]

thought i would make a funny, but anyways...im looking to change out my a/c compressor on my day off, as long as ike doesnt F it up for me. But my question is, it looks like a mjor PITA to get out of there with all of the mess crammed into the engine bay. I mean it didnt seem that bad when i had the radiator and all of the other junk out of the way...but now a toatally different story. Anyone have any tips or tricks?

[Fastbird]

Patience. It'll actually come out pretty easily.

[Fixxer99TA]

Yeah, I have had mine in and out multiple times without removing anything but the belt. Just take your time, and try to find the best tool for the job.

[krayzie7th]

yea its actually not that hard it just looks intimidating.

[Adam]

I just changed mine out about a month ago. You don't have to remove the radiator. As I recall you have to remove the belt, belt tensioner, one of the radiator fans, pressure line on the back of the ac and the ac bracket. Slide in out the front towards the radiator.

[bad_tx_z28]

yeah i figured the fans had to come out. But the only reason i had the rad out last time is because i was re-installing the entire a/c system. that was a PITA...

[BIGT94z]

its easy to get it out. attack it from the bottom, be done in 10 minutes, then enjoy ur new a/c (windows down)

[OutCast]

I'm picking up a new compressor today that I'm putting in this weekend. I don't expect trouble swapping it out but I have heard some say that you should blow out the lines and add some oil to the new compressor and spin it before you put it in. What lines should be blown out, and what kind / how much oil needs to go into the compressor?

I'm also putting in a new dryer and expansion valve as recommended by most people. My plan is to get everything in and take it to a shop to be vacuumed and charged.

Is there a tech article out there for this anywhere that goes over all the details. From my reading, it just not as easy as just swapping out the compressor and adding a can of 134.