Re: 5KT: anyone replaced their A/C compressor?

[NuComm International <hnuuhiwa@cris.com>]

Arun Rao wrote:
> 
>         After I had the system recharged last week, the air conditioning
>         on my '85 5KT worked OK for a couple of days before the compressor
>         gave up the ghost (it's probably the clutch: makes a horrible
>         grinding sound).
> 
>         Now ... has anyone out there replaced their A/C compressor?  I
>         can get a rebuilt one for ~$150 or so (this is an AC Delco
>         Harrison compressor) from the local chain store, but a look
>         at the instructions filled me with dread. Among other things,
>         they tell you to replace the drier, use some special kind of
>         grease to coat the O-rings with, etc. etc. -- failing any of
>         which will void the warranty!
> 
>         Is this really something I cannot/should not attempt?  I thought
>         it was a simple matter of having the freon recovered, replacing
>         the compressor and having the system recharged: in fact, the
>         Bentley says nothing more than "flush the compressor with nitrogen
>         or R-11 (?) before installation".  (Not that I would be able
>         to do that, either).
> 
>         TIA.
> 
>         -Arun
> 
> --
> --
> Arun Rao
> Pixar Animation Studios
> Pt. Richmond, CA 94804
> (510) 215-3526
Arun,

I had the compressors replaced on both of my 5KS earlier this year with
rebuilts.  They are both working fine.  My friend did the replacement
for me and I would suggest that if you are not experienced in A/C AND
you do not have the proper equipment for leak testing, evacuation, etc.
that its probably not a good idea to do it your self.  Venting of the
system is the most critical issues, what with the environmental impact
and all.  All A/C systems need to be evacuated into "closed" recyclable
evac systems, as venting into the atmosphere is illegal.  The
replacement of the compressor is a pretty straight forward issue, but
for the clutch to seize shortly after recharging might indicate other
problems (unless the compressor was "old" and failure was due to wear). 
When you had a recharge done, did they do a leak test on the system?

Henderson Nuuhiwa
http://www.angelfire.com/pages0/NuCommIntl/index.html

'85 BMW 735i (her car)
'86 5KS (my car)
'88 5KS (for sale)