My '91 RS 305 (retrofitted to R-134 last year with Four Seasons parts) is currently parked awaiting repairs. The A/C compressor is knocking and probably a few minutes away from seizing entirely.

My shop of choice is quoting $600 to replace the compressor and "a couple of other parts."

I'm inclined to replace the part myself. Some quick online shopping shows I'd be looking at about $200 after shipping to grab a compressor, dryer/accumulator, and orifice tube.

Besides spending the next couple of weeks watching Youtube tutorials and looking through the Haynes manual for the car, are there any tips/tricks I should know about swapping out the compressor and these parts? Any pitfalls I might hit on doing this with a retrofitted system?

 

You're supposed to have the system emptied/filled by an a/c shop but other than that it's just removing and replacing stuff. Keep dirt and moisture out of the lines when you disconnect them. You may also need a couple of special tools to disconnect fittings.

 

yeah and you are going to need to vac the system out when its all assembled. i just did a complete job on my truck over a year ago and i still have ice cold A/C. dont skip on the vacuum part! clean all the lines thoroughly and replace ALL seals, also do NOT overcharge the system