Help! A/C compressor replacement.

ALSWEL

ALSWEL

Experienced Member
Joined
22 April 2006
Messages
500
Location
ChiTown
Acura wants $750 labor to replace the compressor. No way, $750 can buy me a lot of tools and I have no plans this weekend.

I have the rear rod beam off. I have removed two bolts (long ones) from the sides of the front beam. It's stll holding strong. I cant see any others that could come off. Looks like I need to remove the bracket thingy holding the clutch lines still, is this the only part still holding the front beam on? I am at a loss! Someone, please help.
Thanks,
Jeremy

PS I am looking at the Service Manual.
 
There are four bolts holding the compressor to the bracket. You will need a 12mm box wrench for them, since it is tight spot. One I get to with a short extension and a swivel head ratchet, but for the other a wrench is a must.

The bolts are in a box pattern, so I think you need to look above the centerline of the compressor.

Page 22-77 will help to see it.

HTH,
LarryB
 
Last edited:
Larry,

Im not to the compressor yet, still trying to get the front beam off. I have the car jacked up only on the passenger side. Could this be binding the front beam in place? I went and bought ramps, so hopefully this will help. To dark this evening so I will have to wait until the morning to continue.

Do I have to remove the clutch line bracket thing or just remove the forward bolts that attach to the front beam? I have removed the bolts holdng the front beam in place. Looks like 4 them after the rear rod beam assembly is off. Are there any more? I wish I had a lift!


EDIT:
I have found the offending bolt on top of the front beam! Now I just have to find a way to get to it up there.
I came across the thread on using tie-down straps to pull the lower mounting bolts closer together, worked great.

EDIT: Ok, I can get a socket on the bolt from the drivers side but there is no room to turn the wrench. Passengers side has the down pipe in the way, looks like a lot more work to remove it. Whats the trick here?

EDIT: Finally got the bolt out, had to use about 1.5 feet in extensions and one of those swivel things.
 
Last edited:
you can find those AC compressors on ebay.... I'm sure I'll get flamed for this but at that price (i think its $150 or so?) you can afford to replace it again if it fails again :)
 
Compressor is out! :biggrin:

I did not have to drop the front beam all of the way out. Just the passengers side. I also did not have to unhook/clip the clutch/selector lines. The tie-down straps are a must. Front beam woul not budge without them squeezing whatever it is they squeeze together. :confused:

The compressor looks ok, No play in the turney thing. Maybe the clutch is bad.

In case you all haven't figured it out yet, I am not a mechanic. I can however, put two and two together. I have been working on my own cars for a long time. Starters, alternators, ball joints etc. This is a fun project, and all of it done on ramps alone. Total cost thus far is about $60 in tools. Maybe 2 hours actual wrenching time. Lots more time crawling under and out from under the car, reading the SM and searching threads here on Prime. A call to Shad was also helpful. Headers should be simple.


Ebay compressor will be here tomorrow. Man I hope I remember how this all goes back together! :redface:
 
Last edited:
ALSWEL said:
Compressor is out! :biggrin:

I did not have to drop the front beam all of the way out. Just the passengers side. I also did not have to unhook/clip the clutch/selector lines. The tie-down straps are a must. Front beam woul not budge without them squeezing whatever it is they squeeze together. :confused:

The compressor looks ok, No play in the turney thing. Maybe the clutch is bad.

In case you all haven't figured it out yet, I am not a mechanic. I can however, put two and two together. I have been working on my own cars for a long time. Starters, alternators, ball joints etc. This is a fun project, and all of it done on ramps alone. Total cost thus far is about $60 in tools. Maybe 2 hours actual wrenching time. Lots more time crawling under and out from under the car, reading the SM and searching threads here on Prime. A call to Shad was also helpful. Headers should be simple.


Ebay compressor will be here tomorrow. Man I hope I remember how this all goes back together! :redface:
Click to expand...

haha good work man... let me know how it goes. Im going to need to replace my compressor soon as it makes some noise and when running the AC, it takes a while to get cold and it puts too much load on the engine....
 
Compressor is in. Everything put back together.

My experience...

I used ramps ($25 - Pep Boys)

Front beam:
The front beam was never an issue for me. Neither was that top motor mount bolt (once I found it.) It went on just as easily as it came off. Use tie down straps to pull it together. You will figure out where to place the hooks when you get under there. Upon reassembly, leave the front beam bolted but loose so you can get the rear rod beam (rear bolts) in place then tighten the front beam bolts. Note: I did not remove the front beam completely nore did I ever touch the trans cables, DID NOT TOUCH THEM, although I was told, by several people, I had to . You do have to unbolt the bracket thing they run through though.

Compressor:
The first task in this project is to loosen the tensioner bolt and pulley, the last tast is to tighten them. This can all be done from the top. Disconnect the electrical wire at this time also. The new compressor ($170 - ebay) does not come with the right pulley. Its really a nonissue. Remove your old one and put it on the new one. Better than messing with belts. I used my vise to grab the pressure plate then remove the pulley bolt. I had to go and get a wheel puller($20) to remove the new pulley. My old one came right off. I also needed a circlip remover tool ($15) to get the snap ring off and replace. The new compressor comes without the electrical connecter part, just a bare wire. You have to splice your old one into your new one. Make sure you have exactly the same lenght of wire, to the connecter, as the old one did. It will hang down into the belts if you have it too long. Compressor comes out and goes back in quite easily once the front beam is out of the way. You only need about 3 inches drop to get to the compressor. The A/C lines are long enough and allow the compressor to rest on the ground for their removal. The new compressor does not come with the 'manifold' that the A/C lines connect to. You have to use your old one.

Tomorrow I will have the system charged and we will see if this was all worth it. I think everything will be fine. Total cost $250. Saved $1,000.

I hope this helps anyone feeling the need to wrench a little.

J~
 
Did you replace your receiver dryer and expansion valve? Those are recommended to be changed out at the same time a new compressor is installed.:smile:
 
Big_D said:
Did you replace your receiver dryer and expansion valve? Those are recommended to be changed out at the same time a new compressor is installed.:smile:
Click to expand...

No and no.

My A/C guy, a friend of sorts, told me he would evacuate the system, recharge (134a), then evacuate and recharge a second time for $50. He tells me that this is cheaper than replacing the receiver/dryer and will remove all of the moisture (and mineral oil) from the system. I don't know any better, I just listen to him. He has been doing this for a long time.
 
It is almost a given that whenever you replace compressor or evaporator that you replace the accumulator also. Cheap insurance to maintain a healthy and happy a/c system.
If I'm not mistaken, isn't the dryer/accumulator right up by the hood latch?
If he is a real A/C guy, he should know better and recommend you do the job the right way.
IMO
 
A/C blowing ice cold.

Rizza Acura of Orland Park wants $105 for receiver /dryer, McGrath Acura wants $125. Woodfield wants $122. AOB wants $116. Noone has it in stock. Ordered one from Rizza.

A/C blowing ice cold.
 
Last edited:
ALSWEL said:
A/C blowing ice cold.

Rizza Acura of Orland Park wants $105 for receiver /dryer, McGrath Acura wants $125. Woodfield wants $122. AOB wants $116. Noone has it in stock. Ordered one from Rizza.

A/C blowing ice cold.
Click to expand...

Just because you didn't replace the accumulator doesn't mean it won't blow cold. The problems associated with not replacing it will surface later down the road when the compressor is more likely to go bad quicker due to having trash run thru it and orifice tube getting clogged up also.
Very easy to replace on this car.
 
92NSX said:
Just because you didn't replace the accumulator doesn't mean it won't blow cold. The problems associated with not replacing it will surface later down the road when the compressor is more likely to go bad quicker due to having trash run thru it and orifice tube getting clogged up also.
Very easy to replace on this car.
Click to expand...

Mr. 92NSX

I have taken yours and Mr. Bid_D's advice. Thank you both! I will install the accumulator/receiver/dryer tomorrow. My comment "A/C blowing ice cold. " was ment to convey my happiness about successfully completing this compressor project....and saving quite a bit of dough in the process....which is what the thread was about in the first place.
 
ALSWEL said:
Mr. 92NSX

I have taken yours and Mr. Bid_D's advice. Thank you both! I will install the accumulator/receiver/dryer tomorrow. My comment "A/C blowing ice cold. " was ment to convey my happiness about successfully completing this compressor project....and saving quite a bit of dough in the process....which is what the thread was about in the first place.
Click to expand...

Great job! your compressor will last alot longer now. Money well spent. I think its great that you were able to do the compressor install yourself!
 
ALSWEL said:
Compressor is in. Everything put back together.

My experience...

I used ramps ($25 - Pep Boys)

Front beam:
The front beam was never an issue for me. Neither was that top motor mount bolt (once I found it.) It went on just as easily as it came off. Use tie down straps to pull it together. You will figure out where to place the hooks when you get under there. Upon reassembly, leave the front beam bolted but loose so you can get the rear rod beam (rear bolts) in place then tighten the front beam bolts. Note: I did not remove the front beam completely nore did I ever touch the trans cables, DID NOT TOUCH THEM, although I was told, by several people, I had to . You do have to unbolt the bracket thing they run through though.

Compressor:
The first task in this project is to loosen the tensioner bolt and pulley, the last tast is to tighten them. This can all be done from the top. Disconnect the electrical wire at this time also. The new compressor ($170 - ebay) does not come with the right pulley. Its really a nonissue. Remove your old one and put it on the new one. Better than messing with belts. I used my vise to grab the pressure plate then remove the pulley bolt. I had to go and get a wheel puller($20) to remove the new pulley. My old one came right off. I also needed a circlip remover tool ($15) to get the snap ring off and replace. The new compressor comes without the electrical connecter part, just a bare wire. You have to splice your old one into your new one. Make sure you have exactly the same lenght of wire, to the connecter, as the old one did. It will hang down into the belts if you have it too long. Compressor comes out and goes back in quite easily once the front beam is out of the way. You only need about 3 inches drop to get to the compressor. The A/C lines are long enough and allow the compressor to rest on the ground for their removal. The new compressor does not come with the 'manifold' that the A/C lines connect to. You have to use your old one.

Tomorrow I will have the system charged and we will see if this was all worth it. I think everything will be fine. Total cost $250. Saved $1,000.

I hope this helps anyone feeling the need to wrench a little.

J~
Click to expand...

Dude,

Please add this to the WIKI:).

Thanks,
LarryB
 
Great Job !!

ALSWEL said:
Mr. 92NSX

I have taken yours and Mr. Bid_D's advice. Thank you both! I will install the accumulator/receiver/dryer tomorrow. My comment "A/C blowing ice cold. " was ment to convey my happiness about successfully completing this compressor project....and saving quite a bit of dough in the process....which is what the thread was about in the first place.
Click to expand...

I didn't mean for it(my last post) to come across as beating a dead horse, I apologize if it did.
I kinda took it as you were just pushing the fact the you have a cold a/c system now and didn't really think you needed to spend the extra $$ on an accumulator replacement.
Congrats on doing the compressor job on your own and choosing to finish the job off with the drier.
 
What about the oil in the system.
Was this addressed?
How do you know how much you have or had?
Trev
 
I don't have a good answer for this. The system was evacuated 3 times during this process. The A/C guy has a machine that removes the freon/oil separately.When he removed the freon the first time I saw about 1.7 ounces of oil go into the 'tank'. My car held vaccuum without issue each time. I don't ever believe the system leaked. Just a bad compressor. The following two times ( first before compressor replacement, second before dryer replacement) we removed and added 2 ounces of oil along with freon , R134 after the first evac. I guess it has 2 ounces of oil in it. Sorry I can't be of better help.
 

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