AC compressor replacement

alphatarget1

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2001
5,710
0
76
I need to replace a leaking AC compressor in our 2000 i30/Maxima. There is some refrigerant in the system, so I need to find a shop to recover it before replacing the compressor myself. My question is, do the AC recovery/recharge machines control how much refrigerant oil goes in the system? There is a procedure to return oil to the compressor- is that necessary? Just need to make sure before I start calling places for quotes.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,126
613
126
Basically the answer to all of your questions is yes.

I won't condone it but personally I haven't recovered the refrigerant before doing AC work since it all leaked out anyway
 

Yuriman

Diamond Member
Jun 25, 2004
5,530
141
106
Be aware that you'll definitely need a new dryer and possibly a new expansion valve, if you completely open the system to replace the compressor. Many will probably tell you to replace the condenser too, but I've gotten away with leaving it in the past.
 

jaha2000

Senior member
Jul 28, 2008
949
0
0
frankly by the time its all said and done, if you want to do this the right/legal way the actual changing of the compressor itself is the most simple part
 

bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
8,874
111
106
You do not really need to worry about the old oil. The new compressor will either have it factory installed or the tech will put in the correct type and amount when it is installed. Changing the Receiver Dryer is a must. Expansion valve, maybe, but on most cars it will be under the dash, inside the evaporator case. Hard to get to. You must Flush the entire system before the new compressor is installed and started up. This is to prevent any debris from damaging the new compressor and to keep the Warranty on the new compressor valid. Any shop that does AC Charging will have the proper tools to run the flushing, pump down the system to a vacuum, leak check, and recharge to the specified amount and test the performance overall.
 

alphatarget1

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2001
5,710
0
76
How do you know the compressor is leaking?

I had a shop do a performance test a couple of years ago and they said "refrigerant seeping out of compressor seals" or something to that effect. The AC did work fine today- so maybe it doesn't need replacement. I will see how it works when it's hot outside and decide whether to replace it. I replaced a condenser before and it wasn't too difficult.
 

alphatarget1

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2001
5,710
0
76
You do not really need to worry about the old oil. The new compressor will either have it factory installed or the tech will put in the correct type and amount when it is installed. Changing the Receiver Dryer is a must. Expansion valve, maybe, but on most cars it will be under the dash, inside the evaporator case. Hard to get to. You must Flush the entire system before the new compressor is installed and started up. This is to prevent any debris from damaging the new compressor and to keep the Warranty on the new compressor valid. Any shop that does AC Charging will have the proper tools to run the flushing, pump down the system to a vacuum, leak check, and recharge to the specified amount and test the performance overall.

Thanks!
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,126
613
126
Given this is a 16 year old car I wouldn't even bother with the other stuff. An o-ring failed on our WRX. I replaced the o-ring (on one of the flex lines going to the compressor) and simply refilled with a parts store can of R134. I didn't replace anything else nor did I bother evacuating the system. That was 3 or 4 years ago and it's been fine. Honestly the AC so weak from the factory it seems as effective as it was when we bought it. Note I do have a set of AC gauges so I can monitor the pressure on the high and low sides when filling/testing.

The amount of R134 the system requires is on a label; usually on the radiator core support.
 

leper84

Senior member
Dec 29, 2011
989
29
86
Some A/C recovery machines can add oil, some can't and you need a tool to inject into the lines.

What you're talking about is different. The compressor holds oil to lubricate. The amount depends on the specific compressor but usually between 2-5oz. You have to add this oil directly to the compressor before you install it. Pour it in the low side port, turn the clutch on the front of the pulley to distribute the oil through the compressor.

If you don't add oil directly to the compressor and prime it by turning the clutch by hand, you're gonna burn it up. There should be instructions with the compressor on exactly how much oil to add- usually something saying drain and measure the oil in the old compressor, put that much in the new compressor + a specified amount more.

The only reason you would need to replace the expansion valve/orifice tube and condenser is if the old compressor failed internally and pumped metal shavings through the system. If that is the case you'll see flakes of metal in the oil when you drain the old compressor. If its just a seal leaking then no need. If you haven't replaced it recently you do need to replace the drier regardless.

I didn't replace anything else nor did I bother evacuating the system.

How is your a/c even working? Are you sure its working? Because I'd be surprised if it were cooling at all. Either your high side pressures are ridiculous or your system is way undercharged. Not to mention not pulling a vacuum leaves moisture in the system which will either corrode it from the inside out, or ice up and damage your compressor.
 
Last edited:

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,126
613
126
It works as well as it ever has. I figured I had nothing to lose by trying it. And like I said, I do have a proper set of gauges and both high and low side are within proper pressure ranges. IIRC I charged the approximate capacity of the system.

EDIT: Considering the refrigerant leaked out there shouldn't have been a whole lot of water vapor able to migrate into the system. Plus, I only had the system open for 5 minutes tops. So no, not ideal by any means and definitely shadetree by every definition but it works. I suppose I could get a venturi vacuum pump and do it "properly" but I'm content given it works.
 
Last edited:

leper84

Senior member
Dec 29, 2011
989
29
86
It works as well as it ever has. I figured I had nothing to lose by trying it. And like I said, I do have a proper set of gauges and both high and low side are within proper pressure ranges. IIRC I charged the approximate capacity of the system.

EDIT: Considering the refrigerant leaked out there shouldn't have been a whole lot of water vapor able to migrate into the system. Plus, I only had the system open for 5 minutes tops. So no, not ideal by any means and definitely shadetree by every definition but it works. I suppose I could get a venturi vacuum pump and do it "properly" but I'm content given it works.

So refrigerant is heavier than air. Only thing I can think is if your system was at ambient pressure, but filled with nothing but 134a you were able to open it and change the seal without disturbing the line enough to displace any or much refrigerant with air?

So you may be one of the most skilled/luckiest shade tree techs ever.
 

BUTCH1

Lifer
Jul 15, 2000
20,433
1,769
126
Some A/C recovery machines can add oil, some can't and you need a tool to inject into the lines.

What you're talking about is different. The compressor holds oil to lubricate. The amount depends on the specific compressor but usually between 2-5oz. You have to add this oil directly to the compressor before you install it. Pour it in the low side port, turn the clutch on the front of the pulley to distribute the oil through the compressor.

If you don't add oil directly to the compressor and prime it by turning the clutch by hand, you're gonna burn it up. There should be instructions with the compressor on exactly how much oil to add- usually something saying drain and measure the oil in the old compressor, put that much in the new compressor + a specified amount more.

The only reason you would need to replace the expansion valve/orifice tube and condenser is if the old compressor failed internally and pumped metal shavings through the system. If that is the case you'll see flakes of metal in the oil when you drain the old compressor. If its just a seal leaking then no need. If you haven't replaced it recently you do need to replace the drier regardless.



How is your a/c even working? Are you sure its working? Because I'd be surprised if it were cooling at all. Either your high side pressures are ridiculous or your system is way undercharged. Not to mention not pulling a vacuum leaves moisture in the system which will either corrode it from the inside out, or ice up and damage your compressor.

Yea, agree, any time an AC system (home or auto) is opened to atmospheric pressure a complete vacuum is a must. Since OP says his AC is still working OK I'm wondering if the "system check-up" was an excuse to try and sell him a expensive compressor replacement job. OP, if the leak is of the slow variety, given the age of the car it might be worth it to buy an inexpensive kit and add a little Freon from time to time. Most AC places DO NOT want to do a vacuum and refill if YOU changed the compressor, in their line of thought you cheated them out of a repair by going DIY.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,126
613
126
Plus if you do the replacement yourself and there's an issue charging or whatever it becomes he said she said. No good will come of it unless you know the tech personally.

Edit: To me the "luckiest" part of the situation was how easily I found the leak. It was very obvious!
 

boomerang

Lifer
Jun 19, 2000
18,883
641
126
Some A/C recovery machines can add oil, some can't and you need a tool to inject into the lines.

What you're talking about is different. The compressor holds oil to lubricate. The amount depends on the specific compressor but usually between 2-5oz. You have to add this oil directly to the compressor before you install it. Pour it in the low side port, turn the clutch on the front of the pulley to distribute the oil through the compressor.

If you don't add oil directly to the compressor and prime it by turning the clutch by hand, you're gonna burn it up. There should be instructions with the compressor on exactly how much oil to add- usually something saying drain and measure the oil in the old compressor, put that much in the new compressor + a specified amount more.

The only reason you would need to replace the expansion valve/orifice tube and condenser is if the old compressor failed internally and pumped metal shavings through the system. If that is the case you'll see flakes of metal in the oil when you drain the old compressor. If its just a seal leaking then no need. If you haven't replaced it recently you do need to replace the drier regardless.
This is the guy the OP needs to listen to. This thread is a cornucopia of bad advice. I haven't worked with refrigerant systems for decades but I was certified at one point.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,126
613
126
Eh, IMHO given the age of the car you've got nothing to lose by trying the shadetree route first. Worst case it doesn't work!
 

alphatarget1

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2001
5,710
0
76
Thanks for all the replies. I ended up buying a compressor from eBay and receiver drier from rockauto. Put it all in yesterday and will get it recharged. Hopefully it works!
 
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