- Anyone know what the OEM brand of ac compressor is?

- Have any of you use discountacparts as a brand? They’ve got a new compressor with clutch and dessicant pack for $233 and I can buy a lifetime warranty for $60 more.

- any other after market brands you recommend

 

depends if it has a safety clutch or not.

if it has none it’s a PXE16 if it does it’s a PXC. they usually just need a new displacement valve

 

OEM brand is Sanden. I took a look at the discountacparts website. Their catalog is incorrect or incomplete because they did not offer a clutched compressor for my 2013 XJ 5.0 v8, even though that's what my car is equipped with. Slide under your car and take a picture of the label on the AC compressor itself. As mentioned above they used multiple types of compressors throughout the model range. The label will identify the PXE or PXC compressor but both are equipped with the solenoid valve that is a known failure point.

Regardless if you're replacing the entire compressor or just the solenoid valve on the back of the compressor, the compressor needs to come out of the car and the refrigerant will need to be recharged. Change the desiccant pack at the same time and recharge the system by weight, not by pressure.

My car kept burning up compressor clutch solenoids, so I did some electrical diagnostic and suspected excessive resistance in the ground circuit. I added another engine block to frame grounding cable and I haven't burned up a clutch pack since.

 

"good morning I finally got my ac compressor off my 2011 xkr I must say in my over 60 years of "wrenching" this may have been the most trying thing I've done before I reinstall new compressor , do you have any tips about sequencing install
e.g. top /high pressure line 1st not installing any bolts until ac lines are on, etc. obviously I will leave oil cooler loose
I appreciate any help I must have over 10 hours into the removal"

I just sent a private message to a member from an older post about my issue
any thoughts or suggestion would be appreciated!!!! I am heading towards 80....maybe I'm getting too old for this

 

The AC compressor has to be basically in situ before the hard lineset is installed in the compressor. Just work the hard lineset into place gently and thread in the hold-down bolt. Then install the AC compressor mount bolts and then tighten the lineset hold-down bolt.

 

It depends on what year your XJ is, but as Jaag D said, ultimately you need to take a snapshot of the label on the original compressor to be sure. You should also be able to call the parts counter at your local Jaguar dealership & give them the VIN of your XJ, and they can tell you which it was fitted with from the factory.
I put Four Seasons compressors on both my wife's XJ and my Range Rover (both 2012s with the AJ133), and both are working great.
With the XJ (which I replaced the compressor & condenser (Nissens) myself), it wasn't too bad for an in-depth DIYer with considerable mechanical ability & experience.
I removed the wheel well liner and panel underneath for access, and of course the front panel that is over the radiator & condenser to R&R the condenser. IIRC I also unbolted the transmission cooler from it's mount to move it out of the way too, and maybe the (engine) air filter box on that side.
It wasn't too bad though with those removed for access.
And fortunately for our XJ configuration, the prescribed amount of R134a was two complete cans, so no weighing needed.
And I also drained the PAG oil from the new compressor & refilled with the prescribed amount of PAG-46 WITH Ice-32 additive. I've always read & heard that Ice-32 helps AC performance.

 

I would do some searches as this forum is a wealth of information!
Here is my very detailed thread on AC compressors/DPS valves and installing/removing the compressor. With pictures too!
I have done it twice now and am VERY familiar with the problems involved.
AC Compressor Problems

It's been over a year and thousands of miles so I have decided the repair did work. AC nice and cold.
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