Long shot, I know...

"RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht" (ramblininexile) 07/10/2017 at 12:43 • Filed to: None

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...but has anybody here done an A/C compressor replace on a Cobalt? Non-turbo, compressor has shat itself. Mostly interested in just how involved it is.

Funktheduck > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/10/2017 at 12:48

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I imagine replacing the pump isn’t the hard part. Undo some hoses and bolts and then replace. I always figured the hard part was the hoses, drain/refill.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Funktheduck 07/10/2017 at 13:08

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It has a header-style condenser (so harder to flush), and purportedly this was an all-hands-on-deck internals shitting, possibly with violent blow of seals. Sooo, the condenser and drier element will have to be replaced, possibly with the TXV. A couple of shops quoted it, and they wanted to go maximum CYA with replacement of everything in the system. $1200 was the lower of the two quotes...

Fiance of a friend, who is now in Texas with no A/C.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/10/2017 at 13:26

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Not related to your inquiry, but I just wanted to say Red Green is the freaking man.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/10/2017 at 13:26

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I’ve not done a compressor on a Cobalt, but the job is basically the same on any given vehicle. A compressor grenading is fairly involved to fix because it contaminates the entire system. The job is bolting on a new compressor, replacing drier/accumulator/expansion valve, replacing hoses if they are widely available, flushing the system and charging.

Flushing is where all the time is, as you break apart the system at every connection and flush. It is the critical part of the job, because any metal contamination left in the system will grenade a new compressor in short order. You’ll need a flush gun and a good compressor to do it. On newer cars with plate type condensors (versus the old school tube and fin type), they often can’t be flushed effectively, so the condenser is also replaced with a compressor. These days, parts manufactures usually require proof of flushing and condenser replacement to warranty a replacement compressor.

Replace o-rings and valve cores, add oil, pull a vacuum to evacuate air and boil off moisture(ideally for at least a couple of hours, if not overnight) and charge by weight. You’ll need a flush gun, good compressor, a vacuum pump and a manifold gauge set. At a shop, it should cost a grand or two for them to do the job.

Funktheduck > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/10/2017 at 13:35

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Eh. I’d just bite the bullet and pay the shop then.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Funktheduck 07/10/2017 at 13:42

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Well, since I (or my dad, rather) has an A/C vacuum pump, a set of gauges, and a number of other A/C system tools and a lift , and the parts needed are about $350 even going with OEM/higher grade, I’d say the price difference is substantial. Plus which, I’ve done a compressor before, and my dad’s done them many times.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 07/10/2017 at 13:47

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I was mostly fishing for specifics. The compressor, condenser (with drier/filter), and TXV all together cost $330 for parts, and I’ve got the vacuum pump, gauges, etc. etc. *and a lift*. The lower of two estimates was $1200, because apparently there were in maximum CYA mode and wanted to replace every piece of the system including (IIRC) evap.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/10/2017 at 13:50

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The answer you’re looking for is simple, Kirk is clearly superior to Picard... duh.

Funktheduck > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/10/2017 at 13:52

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Then I’d do myself given those circumstances. At the very least I’d have to buy tools which would add to my out of pocket. My E30 needs its AC fixed. Not my daily so way down on priorities

Future next gen S2000 owner > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/10/2017 at 14:10

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If you can’t fix it with duct tape it’s not really broken.

fintail > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/10/2017 at 14:27

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If it ain’t broke, you’re not trying.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/10/2017 at 14:34

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That sounds about right for the parts.

I’ve only heard of certain Ford vehicles that required evap replacement to maintain compressor warranty, but those were vehicles that were known for having issues with some kind of precipitate forming in the system from the factory. The usual thinking was bill for an extra quart of of flush and an extra .5 of time and flush the crap out the evap.

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/10/2017 at 15:24

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RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > My X-type is too a real Jaguar 07/10/2017 at 15:35

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These are indeed Red Green-cromulent alternatives to replacing an A/C compressor.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/11/2017 at 00:26

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I was told @$1k for parts/labor about 6 years ago for my cobalt. I ended up driving the car for 15 months without ac. Its the hassle of making sure the lines are properly cleaned out thats the real time sink.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 07/11/2017 at 09:02

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I have been told I don’t need to worry, as she has found a shop to do it. One assumes cheaper than what she’d gotten up to now...