Air Compressor problems... how much should I expect to pay?

[JungleDork20]

I'm pretty sure our Air Compressor is broken. Our A/C is out, but the refrigerant is full and the fuse is fine. Three questions:

What else could it be, other than the air compressor?

How much should I expect to pay to have our compressor replaced by a mechanic?

How difficult of a job would it be to just buy the part and do it myself?

 

[Secondtyme]

See if you can take the belt off and turn the compressor by hand. If you can then it is remotely possible that only the compressor clutch has failed.

 

[kw_da]

My guess is that it would be pretty difficult - you need a/c equipment and need to be able to pull a vacuum. I wouldn't try it myself since I don't have the correct equipment. Someone else may know better. In addition, if you have a leak, you may to replace the dryer.

How difficult of a job would it be to just buy the part and do it myself?

 

[kw_da]

My guess is that it would be pretty difficult - you need a/c equipment (freon recovery system and gauges) and need to be able to pull a vacuum. I wouldn't try it myself since I don't have the correct equipment. Someone else may know better. In addition, if you have a leak, you may to replace the receiver/dryer.

How difficult of a job would it be to just buy the part and do it myself?

 

[Davebert]

There are a few things that you can do to make sure the compressor is the problem. You have to check if the compressor is being engaged. You should be able to hear and see it with the hood open. You can also check and see if the pressure switch is working or not by finding it and bypass it wih a wire. This way you will know tha the compressor is being engaged and would tell you if it is the pressure switch or the clutch.

 

[Secondtyme]

Please limit your DIY efforts to troubleshooting the problem only. Your goal should be to know what the problem is when you take it. to a shop to get it fixed so that you are not bent over a table for repairs or procedures that you don't need. It is against the law for an unlicensed person to recover refrigerant from a system, even if you DO have the right equipment.

 

[flcruising]

How exactly did you check the refrigerant level without the compressor operating?

A couple of weeks ago I saved my grandmother about $1050 by replacing her compressor, expansion valve, and receiver/dryer desiccant bag in her '03 Honda CRV. Her a/c was diagnosed by the local dealership as having a defective clutch and they wanted $815 to replace only the clutch. Upon receiving other quotes, the best one was $550. If they replaced the compressor, it would be $1300.

Since I was not unfamiliar with this type of work, I suggested we (uncle and I) replace the compressor because of the age. Partsgeek.com had new parts for $200 shipped. Whenever you replace an a/c compressor, you must replace these other parts also and flush the whole system. This job required removal of the front of the vehicle (bumper, condenser, radiator, etc.) and passenger side dashboard for the expansion valve. Upon removing the compressor, it was apparent that it was not the clutch but the compressor had locked up (glad I decided not to trust the diagnostic from the dealer). The condenser had some nice aluminum shards that flushed out. We also removed all of the hi/lo refrigerant lines and the evaporator to flush them out thoroughly as well.

Without an air compressor, performing a proper flush is about impossible. But if you do, your local AutoZone should have all the loaner tools you need which include - manifold gauges, vacuum pump, and flush gun.

That being said, what I'm not saying that you should not do this, just be aware what the job might entail. If the compressor has failed/locked up, this is not a simple diy procedure and will require removal of the entire a/c system for cleaning and replacing. But if you would like to troubleshoot your issue and verify what the problem might be, here is the service manual for the hvac system.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zis9b996k44pgkh/WM_07.pdf

Troubleshooting index can be found on page 19.