Replacing A/C Compressor Request

atomheart · 06-06-2008, 07:01 AM

Anyone do this yet, or have a how to link? I'm an A/C retard for the most part.
My A/C clutch locked up on me a couple days ago. The belt would squeal for a bit on startup with the A/C on (I only use it when the wife is in the car), and going down the road when the clutch engaged it would squeal for a split second. I thought it was the belt squeaking under the extra load for moment. I looked at the belts and they were both pretty old at 40K . So I replaced both, and to verify I fixed the problem I turn the A/C on with the car in my garage. Needless to say it sounded like 20 kittens screaming all at once!!

I checked and the clutch was locked up and the belt was just sliding around the compressor pulley!! Well, after a quick google I called the dealer and found a new compressor was $654!!! So I got lucky and snagged one off ebay for $145 shipped!! I hope it works; it came off a 2003 WRX with 12K miles on the compressor. I called dealer and it seems they are all interchangeable from 02 to 07 between the WRX and STI, but the last 2 of the P/N she gave me was off by 2 digits, but I'm sure it will work......I hope .

Anyways, I'm sure the R/I should be pretty straight forward, but I've never discharged an A/C system before, or recharged one. An R/I write-up would be nice, but I really need info on making sure I don't mess up the coolant part. I know they sell those DIY recharge kits all over the place. What coolant do the STI's A/C systems use? I've read something about having to put the system in vacuum before recharging. How do I do that? I have a nice Makita compressor if it helps. I guess I just need some good general direction and help. The new A/C compressor should be in sometime next week, and want to be ready. Thanks for everyone that took the time to read all that ^^^^. Any help??
Thanks!!

atomheart · 06-09-2008, 06:11 AM

Nothing?? No-one?? Bummer, I didn't think this has been done a whole lot, but was hopping someone who has done a motor swap that has dealt with the A/C system could chime in and give me some pointers.

**elirentz** · 06-13-2008, 01:06 PM

You would need an a/c machine and need to be shown how to do it correctly. It tells you what refrigerant you need on the blue sticker right next to the radiator but you would need to be able to measure how much you put in. Long story short you are better off getting some one else to do it.

wsirianni · 06-15-2008, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elirentz

You would need an a/c machine and need to be shown how to do it correctly. It tells you what refrigerant you need on the blue sticker right next to the radiator but you would need to be able to measure how much you put in. Long story short you are better off getting some one else to do it.

atomheart · 06-18-2008, 04:30 AM

Kewl, thanks for the reply. I actually got around to doing the swap last night. I've wrenched F-16's for 12 years, so I figured I'd just jump into it with both feet and not look back.

The swap went pretty well, except the 2 bolts in the bottom that I realized were there, and were a pain to get out, but with a little imagination using an arsenal of wrong tools I got them out fairly easy. As for refilling, it stated how much refrigerant on the sticker under the hood. Although it didn't state how much oil, so I only put one can in (2 ounces), and I'm not sure if that was enough so I'll have to do some research to see if I need to stick in another can or not. I actually got a great deal on ebay for a used A/C compressor for $145 shipped that came from an 03 WRX that only had 12K on it. She had the engine pulled and a JDM long block put in, so she didn't need it. The only thing that needed modifying was the elec. connector on the top, but I just swapped the connector from mine and it works perfect!!

All in all it wasn't too hard of a job though!! My only regret was not taking pictures of the R/I and making a write-up. I had full intentions of doing so, but I just jumped in and forgot to grab the camera while pulling out tools. Although if anyone has any questions I'll do my best to answer them. Thanks for the replies!!

**elirentz** · 06-18-2008, 04:56 AM

Did you vacuum out the system before you tried to refill it? This is not something to suggest most people to do on their own. There is a reason mechanics have to be refrigerant certified to evacuate and refill systems.

***solovus*** · 06-18-2008, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elirentz

Did you vacuum out the system before you tried to refill it? This is not something to suggest most people to do on their own. There is a reason mechanics have to be refrigerant certified to evacuate and refill systems.

The reason isn't because it is difficult, but for "environmental" protection. They are basically trained to use equipment so the refrigerant doesn't spill.

**elirentz** · 06-18-2008, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solovus

The reason isn't because it is difficult, but for "environmental" protection. They are basically trained to use equipment so the refrigerant doesn't spill.

Being that I'm a/c certified I know this. Its not like most mechanics are genius'

. I just don't think having your average sti owner spilling refrigerant everywhere trying to fix their own a/c is a good idea.

I'm sure the OP is fully capable of doing the job if he had the right equipment and was shown the process.

wsirianni · 06-18-2008, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elirentz

Being that I'm a/c certified I know this. Its not like most mechanics are genius'

. I just don't think having your average sti owner spilling refrigerant everywhere trying to fix their own a/c is a good idea.

I'm sure the OP is fully capable of doing the job if he had the right equipment and was shown the process.

hes right you have to pull a vacumm on the system in order to technically boil out all of the contaminants and oils left over and then put in new refrigerant the a/c machine has all of this built in to it i also am a/c certified

atomheart · 07-08-2008, 05:15 AM

Wow, sorry I didn't know there were replies on this one. I long ago forgot about this topic. Not that there's really any danger to "spilling" refrigerant (unless maybe you do it in the garage with the door down and release it into the atmosphere), it is an environmental hazard as it depletes the ozone. However, that being said, I researched this to death as I didn't want to hurt the environment, but at the same time I didn't want to pay an idiot at a garage the $150 I was quoted for $25 worth of R134A and oil. An idiot could recharge the system literally, although it does take a pump to vacuum all the refrigerant and oil out. I used something similar to this but a little older.

http://www.brandsplace.com/0246-cpsvp3s.html

A mech. I know from where I work happened to have one and let me borrow everything I needed. As for the recharge, I picked up $30 worth of refrigerant and oil from Oreily's (the cheapo stuff.....works just as good), and got the whole job done (including A/C compressor) for around $200!! The dealer quoted me almost $1,200!! I knew I could do it myself with some research while I sweated it out in 100 deg. heat for a few weeks while I figured it out. If I didn't know my mech. buddy I could have just bought the rest of what I needed and still got out under $500-$600 and would have got to keep around some extra A/C equipment in the garage for future reference. There's nothing you can't accomplish if you put your mind to it and really have the motivation.

**elirentz** · 07-08-2008, 11:11 AM

that's cool but with your experience you aren't the average sti owner. Many don't even know how to change their spark plugs by themselves. The refrigerant as I'm sure you know is very bad for the environment not just a little.

atomheart · 07-09-2008, 05:40 AM

Yea, true I am a tad skilled at wrenching, and can do most anything if I really motivate myself to it. The refridgerant is definitly very bad for the enviornment no doubt.

06-06-2008, 07:01 AM	#1
atomheart Junior STI Driver Car: 06 OBP STI Fav Mod: Protune Location: Amarillo Posts: 52 Join Date: Apr 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Replacing A/C Compressor Request Anyone do this yet, or have a how to link? I'm an A/C retard for the most part. My A/C clutch locked up on me a couple days ago. The belt would squeal for a bit on startup with the A/C on (I only use it when the wife is in the car), and going down the road when the clutch engaged it would squeal for a split second. I thought it was the belt squeaking under the extra load for moment. I looked at the belts and they were both pretty old at 40K . So I replaced both, and to verify I fixed the problem I turn the A/C on with the car in my garage. Needless to say it sounded like 20 kittens screaming all at once!! I checked and the clutch was locked up and the belt was just sliding around the compressor pulley!! Well, after a quick google I called the dealer and found a new compressor was $654!!! So I got lucky and snagged one off ebay for $145 shipped!! I hope it works; it came off a 2003 WRX with 12K miles on the compressor. I called dealer and it seems they are all interchangeable from 02 to 07 between the WRX and STI, but the last 2 of the P/N she gave me was off by 2 digits, but I'm sure it will work......I hope . Anyways, I'm sure the R/I should be pretty straight forward, but I've never discharged an A/C system before, or recharged one. An R/I write-up would be nice, but I really need info on making sure I don't mess up the coolant part. I know they sell those DIY recharge kits all over the place. What coolant do the STI's A/C systems use? I've read something about having to put the system in vacuum before recharging. How do I do that? I have a nice Makita compressor if it helps. I guess I just need some good general direction and help. The new A/C compressor should be in sometime next week, and want to be ready. Thanks for everyone that took the time to read all that ^^^^. Any help?? Thanks!! This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

06-09-2008, 06:11 AM	#2
atomheart Junior STI Driver Car: 06 OBP STI Fav Mod: Protune Location: Amarillo Posts: 52 Join Date: Apr 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Replacing A/C Compressor Request Nothing?? No-one?? Bummer, I didn't think this has been done a whole lot, but was hopping someone who has done a motor swap that has dealt with the A/C system could chime in and give me some pointers.

06-13-2008, 01:06 PM	#3
elirentz Gold Member Car: 05 STi, 99 2.5rs Fav Mod: ohlins w/RCE springs, sz55 Location: charleston Posts: 480 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Replacing A/C Compressor Request You would need an a/c machine and need to be shown how to do it correctly. It tells you what refrigerant you need on the blue sticker right next to the radiator but you would need to be able to measure how much you put in. Long story short you are better off getting some one else to do it.

06-18-2008, 04:30 AM	#5
atomheart Junior STI Driver Car: 06 OBP STI Fav Mod: Protune Location: Amarillo Posts: 52 Join Date: Apr 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Replacing A/C Compressor Request Kewl, thanks for the reply. I actually got around to doing the swap last night. I've wrenched F-16's for 12 years, so I figured I'd just jump into it with both feet and not look back. The swap went pretty well, except the 2 bolts in the bottom that I realized were there, and were a pain to get out, but with a little imagination using an arsenal of wrong tools I got them out fairly easy. As for refilling, it stated how much refrigerant on the sticker under the hood. Although it didn't state how much oil, so I only put one can in (2 ounces), and I'm not sure if that was enough so I'll have to do some research to see if I need to stick in another can or not. I actually got a great deal on ebay for a used A/C compressor for $145 shipped that came from an 03 WRX that only had 12K on it. She had the engine pulled and a JDM long block put in, so she didn't need it. The only thing that needed modifying was the elec. connector on the top, but I just swapped the connector from mine and it works perfect!! All in all it wasn't too hard of a job though!! My only regret was not taking pictures of the R/I and making a write-up. I had full intentions of doing so, but I just jumped in and forgot to grab the camera while pulling out tools. Although if anyone has any questions I'll do my best to answer them. Thanks for the replies!!

06-18-2008, 04:56 AM	#6
elirentz Gold Member Car: 05 STi, 99 2.5rs Fav Mod: ohlins w/RCE springs, sz55 Location: charleston Posts: 480 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Replacing A/C Compressor Request Did you vacuum out the system before you tried to refill it? This is not something to suggest most people to do on their own. There is a reason mechanics have to be refrigerant certified to evacuate and refill systems.

07-08-2008, 05:15 AM	#10
atomheart Junior STI Driver Car: 06 OBP STI Fav Mod: Protune Location: Amarillo Posts: 52 Join Date: Apr 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Replacing A/C Compressor Request Wow, sorry I didn't know there were replies on this one. I long ago forgot about this topic. Not that there's really any danger to "spilling" refrigerant (unless maybe you do it in the garage with the door down and release it into the atmosphere), it is an environmental hazard as it depletes the ozone. However, that being said, I researched this to death as I didn't want to hurt the environment, but at the same time I didn't want to pay an idiot at a garage the $150 I was quoted for $25 worth of R134A and oil. An idiot could recharge the system literally, although it does take a pump to vacuum all the refrigerant and oil out. I used something similar to this but a little older. http://www.brandsplace.com/0246-cpsvp3s.html A mech. I know from where I work happened to have one and let me borrow everything I needed. As for the recharge, I picked up $30 worth of refrigerant and oil from Oreily's (the cheapo stuff.....works just as good), and got the whole job done (including A/C compressor) for around $200!! The dealer quoted me almost $1,200!! I knew I could do it myself with some research while I sweated it out in 100 deg. heat for a few weeks while I figured it out. If I didn't know my mech. buddy I could have just bought the rest of what I needed and still got out under $500-$600 and would have got to keep around some extra A/C equipment in the garage for future reference. There's nothing you can't accomplish if you put your mind to it and really have the motivation. Last edited by atomheart : 07-08-2008 at 05:19 AM.

07-08-2008, 11:11 AM	#11
elirentz Gold Member Car: 05 STi, 99 2.5rs Fav Mod: ohlins w/RCE springs, sz55 Location: charleston Posts: 480 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Replacing A/C Compressor Request that's cool but with your experience you aren't the average sti owner. Many don't even know how to change their spark plugs by themselves. The refrigerant as I'm sure you know is very bad for the environment not just a little.

07-09-2008, 05:40 AM	#12
atomheart Junior STI Driver Car: 06 OBP STI Fav Mod: Protune Location: Amarillo Posts: 52 Join Date: Apr 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Replacing A/C Compressor Request Yea, true I am a tad skilled at wrenching, and can do most anything if I really motivate myself to it. The refridgerant is definitly very bad for the enviornment no doubt. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.