when replacing an a/c compressor what else should be done to get the a/c system back into top running condition for the next decade?

this car had 134a conversion I'g guess anywhere from 7 to 10 years ago and tonight saw the compressor freeze (talk about burning rubber!) so, shut off the defrost and fortunately the compressor began moving again. There is an inch of give in the v-belt so the v-belt is properly tightened.

 

I did a conversion on mine recently and it cool great. replace the accumulator,and orifice tube also flush out the system as best you can when i did that on might the stuff that came out of the cores was amazing. btw when you get a new/rebuilt compressor thay make you buy the dryer/accumulator and orifice to maintain wwarranty, make sure u get it my first compresdsor went bad and when i went to return it thay wouldnt cause i didnt get the stuff from them

 

thanks, sounds like a plan. What/where is the orifice tube at?

 

it should be located inside the line that goes into the evaporator from the condenser (thin line). Use a needle nose to remove it, if you see any debris make sure to flush the system out in reverse floe. In other words freon normally flows from compressor to condenser,to orifice,to evap,to accumulator and back to compressor.When you flush spray or pour the flush into to outlet of the condenser andblow it out and do the same to the evap.core this will assure that any debris will come dislodged and blow clear so you wont ruin your new stuff and of course replace the accumulator/drier.

 

That's good info / process on installing A/C parts.


I was wondering about a potentually cheap option - r ebuilding the a/c compressor. How hard it is to rebuild an A/C compressor? I couldn't find any parts or clues to this online. rebuilding a/c compressors must not be common but why not?

 

I'm pretty sure there is the procedure fro rebuilding a compressor in the service manual (think i've seen it ) I would not even attempt to do it as i'm sure special tools are neded and what not besides it relatively cheap to get a rebuilt on and nice to have the peace of mind that there is warranty on the part at least. your looking at about $150 for the compressor, $2 for the orifice and $30-40 for the drier. For about $200 your getting everything new throw in a flush kit for bout $30 and freon and your cooled and good to go!

 

Thanks -- will take your advice later this spring & disconnect v-belt meanwhile.