More A/C Questions for You Experts

[SA HEAT]

I posted a question several weeks ago about oil leaking out of the front of the A/C compressor clutch and got sidetracked by a vacation and a weeping/leaking radiator (took the advice of Dave6666 and others from some old threads and went with pulling the stock radiator out and took it to a local shop for rebuild to a three-row unit instead of a new aluminum unit....thanks to all).

Auto air conditioning is confusing and intimidating as f*** to me, so I have a few more questions for you A/C experts.

My intent is to replace the A/C compressor myself with one of the "new" ~$230 Delphi OE replacement units you can find on Amazon or Rock Auto.

1. Should I take the car somewhere to have the system evacuated/vacuumed before I pull the compressor? Note - the system is still cooling and holding pressure.

2. If so, how long should a thorough vacuum of the system take? I've heard some say a few minutes and others say almost an hour.

3. Am I okay driving the car to the A/C shop for the recharge of the system with the new compressor I installed with no oil in the system? I know now the clutch won't engage with no Freon in the system, but I want to make sure I'm not going to screw anything up.

4. Am I on the right track and/or missing anything?

Thanks!!

 

[EllowViper]

I just replaced mine with the aforementioned $230 Delphi replacement from Rock Auto. Great price for a brand spanking new unit. You should get the system evacuated/coolant recovered before swapping the unit out, but that is more for environmental reasons. I just vented mine to the atmosphere in an open, large , well ventilated garage. DO NOT INHALE R134A plus it is combustible in a closed space...so do it at your own risk. I did get mine evacuated once and at that time, it took 15-20 minutes on a professional recovery system. You can drive it uncharged as long as you don't cycle the AC on. The pulley will just act as an idler and just spin freely with the belt. The AC comes prelubed with the correct type and amount of PAG oil...so don't sweat that. I have a el cheapo venture vacuum system that I'll use when I recharge mine in a few weeks. Also, get a new drier and install it at the same time. THey are cheap but a needed component if you are going to do this. I think that about covers it....

 

[ViperJohn]

I recommend having a shop pull vacuum and even have them replace compressor. Why not wait until it's needed if the current on is working?

 

[SA HEAT]

I recommend having a shop pull vacuum and even have them replace compressor. Why not wait until it's needed if the current on is working?

I hear you, but I don't have a shop here I trust to even drive my car much less open the hood and work under it without me standing there....especially since ART left south/central Texas. I doubt anyone would let me hang out with a compressor replacement (the last Dodge dealership "Viper Tech" that drove my car got it in, started it and drove into a curb in the service drive right in front of me and the r/f wheel had to be refinished). I've had my share of really bad dealership/shop experiences over the years, the worst being a Chevy dealership that bent the frame of my C6 Corvette because the idiot mechanic lifted it wrong. Plus I like doing what I can myself for cost savings and the satisfaction of working on the car....the compressor replacement looks relatively easy. It's getting everything else in the A/C system working right that is intimidating to me.

As far as it working...the last time I drove it, when I stopped it left an oil puddle on the ground that was dripping from the front of the A/C clutch...it continued to drip a little when I was dealing with the radiator removal and rebuild too. And from what I've read, it's just a matter of time before it fails and there's no healing that without a rebuild, so a new compressor it is.

 

[SA HEAT]

I just replaced mine with the aforementioned $230 Delphi replacement from Rock Auto. Great price for a brand spanking new unit. You should get the system evacuated/coolant recovered before swapping the unit out, but that is more for environmental reasons. I just vented mine to the atmosphere in an open, large , well ventilated garage. DO NOT INHALE R134A plus it is combustible in a closed space...so do it at your own risk. I did get mine evacuated once and at that time, it took 15-20 minutes on a professional recovery system. You can drive it uncharged as long as you don't cycle the AC on. The pulley will just act as an idler and just spin freely with the belt. The AC comes prelubed with the correct type and amount of PAG oil...so don't sweat that. I have a el cheapo venture vacuum system that I'll use when I recharge mine in a few weeks. Also, get a new drier and install it at the same time. THey are cheap but a needed component if you are going to do this. I think that about covers it....

That all makes sense....thank you!