anyone ever replace ac compressor on a cavalier?

[567234ta]

i have a 02 cavalier and i think the ac compressor is shot. its knocking really loud.

i see the bolt and all and it seems like it will come off fairly simple, is there more to it then just swapping it out and having a vacuum pulled on it with a recharge? is there other parts that need to be replaced when you do this?

[RedHeartbeat]

drain all the oil out of the compressor and measure it. replace the orifice tube if it has one. If you see any metal in the lines or orifice tube then you'll need to flush the lines with a suitable solvent, don't flush stuff into the accumulater, remove accumulater and seal the ends off before flushing. Replace all seals with new ones for safe measure. Try not to blow moist compresser air through the lines. Add the correct weight a/c oil back to the compresser, same amount as you removed. I like to add one additional ounce. After reassembly its pretty much just pull a vacuum for 30 minutes, seal it off and recheck the vacuum level after 15 minutes to verify you don't have a leak. Next you're ready for the refridgerant.

I know we have a couple a/c techs here online, just don't know if they're around today.

[567234ta]

ok awesome. i wasnt going to do the vacuum and recharge but i did want to replace it myself to save the $$. ill have to get a new compressor with a kit of seals and stuff.

[txarkitekt]

You can replace the Compressor pretty easily, but you will need to have it recharged with R12 from a shop. You can either do the regular R12 or get the "Freeze 12," which is a colder compressing version of R12. Either will work fine. I would do my research and see if the new compressor is recommended to be converted to R134a. Some say yes, but it is totally dependent upon if the compressor can handle the new R134a refrigerant. Also, the R12 and R134a oils are not compatible. Before you go install the new compressor, make sure you know which type of refrigerant you wanna run. Also, if the compressor is shot and you are rebuilding the A/C system, you don't have to do the e-vac thing. You only need to do that if you are going to salavage and reuse the components of the A/C system. You can easily replace the whole A/C system on that car for far less than what it would cost just in the install charges a shop would charge. Since the A/C system is 16 years old, I would recommend you get all new stuff--compressor, drier, Condenser, accumulator, orifice tube, check valve stems, o-rings, etc...

[567234ta]

You can replace the Compressor pretty easily, but you will need to have it recharged with R12 from a shop. You can either do the regular R12 or get the "Freeze 12," which is a colder compressing version of R12. Either will work fine. I would do my research and see if the new compressor is recommended to be converted to R134a. Some say yes, but it is totally dependent upon if the compressor can handle the new R134a refrigerant. Also, the R12 and R134a oils are not compatible. Before you go install the new compressor, make sure you know which type of refrigerant you wanna run. Also, if the compressor is shot and you are rebuilding the A/C system, you don't have to do the e-vac thing. You only need to do that if you are going to salavage and reuse the components of the A/C system. You can easily replace the whole A/C system on that car for far less than what it would cost just in the install charges a shop would charge. Since the A/C system is 16 years old, I would recommend you get all new stuff--compressor, drier, Condenser, accumulator, orifice tube, check valve stems, o-rings, etc...

good info but when i said its an 02 i meant 2002 cavalier. but what your saying is if i replace everything i dont need to pull a vac on it?

[txarkitekt]

Oh, may bad. I, for some DUMBASS reason, thought you said 1992. I'm an idiot. Yeah, it you replace it all, then no vac pull is needed.

[567234ta]

Oh, may bad. I, for some DUMBASS reason, thought you said 1992. I'm an idiot. Yeah, it you replace it all, then no vac pull is needed.

so the lines and everything?

[txarkitekt]

No, not the hard lines. Just the individual components.

[567234ta]

No, not the hard lines. Just the individual components.

so the thing in the front radiator, (heat exchanger?) and the condensor?

[txarkitekt]

Yes. The compressor, condenser, evaporator, orifice tube, and drier/accumulator.