A/c Compressor Replacement - General

leboyd · August 16, 2007

I plan on replacing my a/c compressor, accumulator and orifice.

My two primary mechanic sources both say it's no problem to not flush the system.

One says that since I'm not replacing the condensor or evap. I should only put 4 or 5 oz of oil in the new compressor, not the full 8oz. The reasoning is that the cond. and evap. will have oil in them, and putting a full 8oz will reduce the freon compacity, not allowing it to fully cool.

Anyone have an opinion on this?

If I decide to have the system flushed, how much should I expect to pay to have it flushed, vac-ed and refilled?

BTW, does anyone know where the orifice is on a '97 Tahoe - front air only, 4wd?

Thanks,

Toocool · August 17, 2007

I replaced the compressor, orifice tube and dryer in my Suburban, it cost me $110 to have it vacuumed and refilled at Midas.

Ron

C & A s Dad · August 17, 2007

Larry, if you have never taken any other advise off this forum, please do so this time. You have got to flush the system. I know of no compressor mfg reman or new that will warranty a comp without proof of flushing. But that is only one reason to do it. You do not want to do this job again and flushing it is one of the steps to making sure this does not happen.

There are aerosol flushes that work really well. We (CARQUEST) sell one but I am not at work right now to get you a part no. Reports are that it works very well and we even have some prof techs using it because they say it works better than the "prof" stuff they were using.

What kind of compressor are your going back with? What brand and are you using reman or new?

Whatever you do, please flush the system.

leboyd · August 17, 2007

Thanks for the advice. I will go ahead and flush the system.

Does anyone know where the orifice is?

Thanks,

C & A s Dad · August 17, 2007

Cannot help you on the orfice tube location, but the aerosol flush I mentioned is made by SuperCool and is part # 6977.

Toocool · August 18, 2007

The orifice tube should be behind the right park light where the tubes go into the condensor.

Ron

Butters · September 25, 2007

My compressor is shot on my 2001 Yukon XL 2500 6 L.

I have a shop telling me that I must replace the dryer as well for $129 or they will not warranty the compressor. Is this true or just an upsell?

Thanks

The orifice tube should be behind the right park light where the tubes go into the condensor.
Ron

C & A s Dad · September 25, 2007

Jim, he is not just upselling you. The drier replacement and flushing is required for the warranty and is very necessary. On some Ford applications, many shops will not do this job without replacing the condensor and the hoses as well.

AC systems are not what they used to be and these steps are absolutely necessary to ensure the new compressor will hold up.

alvocado · September 26, 2007

My compressor just failed in August and my local shop which I trust 100% flushed the system AND replaced the accumulator. They said it's mandatory and they've been in the busy 30 yrs. I paid about $125 for the accumlator (they sourced it.)