I'm PO'ed.. after finding a brand new compressor for 395.00 OEM with a 1 yr warranty after the dealer told me 1000.00 for a brand new OEM. And then after quoting me 500.00 for the work of installation i thought the work was extremely difficult to do. So i jacked my car up and looked at the compressor.. MAN.. the compressor sits right there.. no need to remove anything but 4 stud bolts and belt. nothing's in the way.. it was more difficult to change my compressor on my 97 grand prix.. WHAT A RIP OFF. it will literally take me maybe 40 min to change this thing..

so for you do-it-yourselfers .. if your compressor blows.. change it yourself

i give the job 1 wrenches out of 5 of difficulty

has anyone changed theirs?

 

That's good to know, thanks for sharing the info. I've got a feeling mine is going slowly but surely. If you don't mind me asking, where did you find the compressor for that price?

 

Please write up a "how to" and take pictures for the rest of us.

 

Don, one bit of warning before you start up the car, you will need to make sure you get a vacuum drawn on the system and atleast some freon (R-134a) into the system. Spinning the compressor with no freon in the system can damage the bearings, trashing the new compressor. So, part of the $500 install would be covering this. So, if you can, get the car towed to an A/C shop or make sure you have the belt off of the compressor. I would hate to see you have to buy another compressor.

The R-134a has the necessary oil included in with the freon, so, once you can add the freon, you will be fine with the bearings.

 

i will take pictures of the complete uninstall and reinstall of the compressor. I got the compressor online at a company called DiscountACParts.com .. he's a pretty cool guy. I asked him how was he able to sell it so cheap. He told me that, " He gets them whole sale and doesn't have to market package stock and shelve them" that's why...

Also to the point of not running the compressor w/o freon.. you can run a compressor w/o freon or oil BUT NOT the clutch! i'm aware of this. Once i've completed the install i will replace a couple of oz of oil directly into the compressor and then have the system evacuated and recharged at a local shop for like 150.00... i was inclined to recharge system myself but i don't have the tools to evac...

thanks for everyone's interest.. i will have a follow up sat. my compressor should arrive friday and i'll be getting started early sat morning b4 the sun shows it's ugly head