Hey all,
Well it turns out that my repair person last year screwed me when he "fixed" my a/c. Knowing it had a leak in it he basically said "here take your truck back". Of course, I was a little upset with him since 1) it wasnt right, 2) he worked on all the cars for the Corvette club, 3) he charged me at least 150-200 more then what he said it would cost and 3) he made me pay him up front. But I figured he had to be a good guy..... yeah well

Anyways, so I am back to my A/C and it turns out the one he put in had a leak in it, so of course I am trying to get him to fix it. Good luck.
But thats ok, I will make sure that others know what he did

So I am in a dilemma. The A/C parts are warrantied by NAPA and I can just get them swapped. But of course I dont have the money for the labor, and I can work on a vehicle and wanted to know how hard the a/c compressor and such is to swap out.
Like I said I am able to work on vehicles, I have built an engine or a tranny and I can pretty much do the rest.

Any help would be great

 

AC systems can be a little worrisome at first but after you fix a system it's not bad. I replaced the full system in my GTO a few summers ago. New compressor, evap block, and dryer. I used a couple cans of high pressure condenser flush then hit one of the intake tubes with my air compressor. Also the compressor requires a set amount of oil so don't forget that. You can buy a cheap vacuum device that runs off an air compressor to vacuum the system out then start adding your refrigerant. You will need a good set of AC gauges, the gauges alone can almost pin point what the problem is.


Let me add, it is technically illegal to vent the AC system to the atmosphere. However if you have a leak that may have already happened. If not you can take it to a shop, they'll vacuum it down for next to nothing.

 

I would mount the compressor yourself and then tank it to a professional for evacuate and recharge. Make sure to follow the instructions included with the compressor as far as oil and flushing the condenser.

So what did the previous guy do wrong? It's not his fault the compressor leaked.

 

There are also O-rings on every connection-the hose block to the compressor and the connections to the evap block. You could try replacing those and see what happens. You need the EXACT size O-rings though. I tried a pack from checker and they were so close you couldn't tell with the naked eye but they continued to leak like crazy.

 

Phil,
In response, the mechanic knowingly gave me back an A/C that I paid him to fix but was still broken. I dont consider putting new parts on but having it still leak fixed. And I did tell him that the A/C wasnt working right still and he tells me its the shraeder valve leaking, and instead of fixing it... knowing that it wasnt working correctly and leaking still after he fixed it, he told me take it somewhere else to repair that.... He didnt even look for the leak. Turns out it was the part he put on.
I dont know any shop that lets things go out like that, and hence this is why I plan to make sure it is fixed or he will be brought to court and also the Corvette club will know about it. Since as a Corvette owner and a guy working on Vettes we dont need that kind of service.

 

Why do you believe you need a compressor if you believe you have leaks?? If the lines Are leaking were they connect or the line itself is bad it's usually pretty simple to spot. Look for the wet or oily point in your system!! like LoJac 963 mentioned it maybe as simple as $.25 O-ring.


Your explanation about said mechanic doesn't make the most sense, he replaced parts but yet he didn't look for leaks?? Maybe he told you to take it else were because he doesn't want to deal with you or your not understanding him? I know quit a few techs that will get pissy and walk away because they don't like dealing with mechanically illiterate customers that question everything they do.

 

ak47dennis,
Let try this again so hopefully, someone wont say things that could possible make themselves look like they are being a jerk to someone

Ok, the reason I stated the compressor was the problem was because I ACTUALLY took the Hummer to another shop and had them run a sniffer and dye in it. The shop stated the leak was in the actual compressor. Why did I take it to a shop? Immediately after I received the car back I explained the A/C wasnt running right and he told me to take it to another shop. Not because I was pissing him off, because he figured he was done and he thought the leak was in the shraeder valve and he didnt have the tools or part to fix that. Sorry, but I dont care how great of a "mechanic" someone is, if they are paid in full to fix something... then they should fix it. And if you are paid in full he definitely shouldnt take your money and say tough crap or I cant put up with you any more and send you packing. If they do, they usually end up in court and loose. He was paid to fix it, not install parts.

Also, I am not some turnip that fell off the truck. I Have been building cars for decades. Just never did the a/c's in them, and not that I wasnt willing to learn at the time, I just didnt have the time (working 16 hours a day 5-6 days a week).

But "where the leak is at" or "why did the so-called mechanic do this to me" wasnt the question, it was "how hard the a/c compressor and such is to swap out. "

Given I appreciate the reply.... if those were the questions