So it took more than 3 weeks to get in my $3 expansion valve but I now have everything I need to finish my compressor install. I bought the compressor new, a new receiver/drier, and the expansion valve - all ready to go in, but I can't find any compressor oil locally. What do you all use on these compressors and how much goes into them?

Also curious where I replace the expansion valve as I have not searched for it yet.

 

Well I just bought a medium viscosity PAG oil b/c that's what the dealership recommended, does anyone know the specs for how much you need in the compressor? I'm trying to finish this thing up by the end of the weekend. Also don't you have to put a bit in the receiver/drier before it goes on?

 

Did you see if the compressor had any oil in it?
The expansion valve is in the high side pipe before the evap.

 

Good catch! I actually hadn't checked it yet. Looks like I'm dismantling some of the dash then, it's inside the cabin right? I don't have a good manual (Chilton ugh) and haven't looked for the evaporator yet. Thanks for the help man. Gonna get this thannnnnnnnnng finished.

 

No it is under the hood. It should be in the frame rail section where the pipe is straight going towards the front of the car.

 

Thanks man. I'll get started.

 

Anybody have trouble getting the two bolts out of the back of the compressor that keep it on the accessory bracket? One bolt is block by a welded spacer and the other one seems impossible to get to unless you can rotate the whole thing up in order to take it off.

 

The top back one remove the a/c lines then from underneath bent the metal bracket all the way to the wiring harness loom. That will give you room to loosen it.

The bottom I go from underneath with a gear wrench.

 

So I have to remove the bracket that's blocking the bolts, correct? Are there only two bolts for that bracket?

Or are you talking about bending the bracket that's blocking the bolts that are holding on the compressor?

I have taken off the a/c lines and moved them out of the way, the only thing holding the compressor on are: one bolt positioned next to the compressor inlets, and one bolt at the bottom rear of the compressor that is being blocked by a welded spaced on an adjacent bracket (there is what appears to be a sleeve on this bolt that helps it join 2 portions of the bracket together, and the sleeve has only moved about 1/4 in with the bolt as I have taken it out).

Also does anyone have a drawing of what's going on here b/c this is such a PITA not having a functional drawing...

 

Sorry no pics. You just bend the bracket up against the wiring harness. Then you can back the screws out.

 

Yea for anyone who is having a problem with this, you must remove the alternator and move the PS pump up in order to loosen the bracket blocking the compressor bolt. There is no other way. The last bolt of the compressor will only come off with an open-end wrench b/c the lip on the pressure fittings overlap the travel - you should take this one of last as you should be able to rotate the assembly when it is the only one remaining giving you enough clearance to take the final bolt out.

A good practice also is to not completely remove the bracket that blocks the rear bottom compressor bolt as it is very difficult to realign - just leave it loose and the compressor bolts will clear the rest of their travel.