Help NISTECH!!! Best way to swap out A/C comp. on s13

[AGPSuperstaR]

Hey, could you guide me in the best way to swap out the a/c compressor on my 1991 240sx. My old compressor's clutch went out and I just bought another used one to replace it. What would be the best and easiest way to remove it, since I don't have a lift or crazy tools. Thanks, Alex.:ylsuper :help

[AGPSuperstaR]

also, I'm wondering if my new (used) A/C compressor would still have the refrigerant available or does it empty when you take it off the motor. I'm asking this so I could know to go get some R-12. Thanks, Alex

[89240sxdude]

it should swap out pretty easily but your gonna have to take it to a shop to have it recharged and that stuff IS NOT cheap. when u take off your old one i suggest u do some research on how to discharge the system cus that stuff is extremely high pressure and will freze just about anything. iv heard stories of people loosing fingers cus they were frozen. so dont do anything stupid. good luck

[DAEDALUS]

R-12 cannot be bought without an EPA certification. The cert. can be had fairly easily and for maybe $20 or so. Without a machine, you would need the R-12 cans, which run about $20 each street value. You would need 3-4 cans I think. But by federal law you still need to have the system vacuumed out before you remove the old compressor, and you still need to have someone vacuum out the air after installing the new compressor. You'll need to add the right amount of compressor oil to the system before filling it. Finally, you really should replace the reciever/dryer while you're at it so the new compressor lasts more than a few years.

[NISTECH]

perhaps a local shop could evac it for you tell you how much you have and when your done with the swap return to have it reinstalled. They will most likely do this for a fee. the fee will likely be less then the cost of refrigerent to refill your system from empty. if they carge you book time its about 1.5 hrs to do an evac and recharge.

[AGPSuperstaR]

Damn, I guess I have to bring it to a shop then. A local shop that I'm cool with quoted me $65 for the swap (normally $110 for other customers), a 2 hr job....I'm just getting some input for DIY but seems too much of a hassle. I'm trying to save some money because this IS my project car....thanks guys for your replies, Alex

[DAEDALUS]

perhaps a local shop could evac it for you tell you how much you have and when your done with the swap return to have it reinstalled. They will most likely do this for a fee. the fee will likely be less then the cost of refrigerent to refill your system from empty. if they carge you book time its about 1.5 hrs to do an evac and recharge.

I remember when I needed someone to do this for me so I could swap a compressor. I called and called, one shop after another. Not a single one would recognize that I should get some kind of credit for the R-12 they take out. At the last shop I called, I kept pressing the guy to explain his rationale, until he finally put the manager on the phone. The manager said that their practices were justified because they spent all this money on their fabulous wonderful AC machine, and if I didn't like it, I could go buy my own machine.

Needless to say, I now have a slightly used fabulous wonderful AC machine sitting in the garage. Heehee.

[AGPSuperstaR]

wow, you could get credit for leftover r-12 in the system when thy take it out? I don't know if mines still have any though, right now my clutch is out on the compressor. That's why I have to swap out.

[NISTECH]

No you would be asking them if they could recover it for you. so you can swap out the compressor and come back to have it recharged.

He has a point about shops being reluctant to do this. You need to find a smaler facility that wouldnt ming making an hour or so labor on doing it.