replacing A/C Compressor on '06 Taco

about to try and replace the compressor on my 2006 taco. Father-in-law says its possible, mechanic says you have to remove the dash to do it. Anyone done this before? Tips? Tricks? or should I just break down and pay to have it done? Thanks in advance guys.

 

I believe removing the dash is not needed..............

 

Compressor being on the engine, I would hope the dash doesn't need to be removed, can't see why.

 

My thought on this is that the mechanic wanted to replace the expansion valve which on some vehicles is located in the evaporator box behind the dash. You need to do more research on the repairs before you try them at home. If your compressor failed internally it could send lots of metal debris into the expansion valve causing it to not operate properly, which is why I think he said you have to remove the dash. a/c repairs are best to be done by a certified mechanic, plus you get a warranty on the repair in case something else is wrong with your system and the tech misdiagnosed it. I might be a little biased on that since I'm an ASE certified HVAC technician.

Also if you do the repairs at home, you need to properly evacuate the R134-A from your a/c system, otherwise you will be just letting it leak out and polluting the environment. Most likely you need to take to a mechanic and have them evacuate your system for you then replace whatever parts need to be replaced then bring it back to be recharged.

 

Have you taken it to a shop to get the system evacuated before you start working on it? I'm definitely a fan of doing work myself if possible but that's one of the few things you have to hand off to a mechanic. The replacement itself shouldn't be too big of a deal but the evacuating and subsequent recharging of the system should be done by an ASE certified HVAC technician.

 

Make sure you check for leaks before dissassembly, if you can. Once evac'd you can replace the bad parts. The accumulator/dryer needs replaced everytime you open the system. +1 on compressor failure causing shrapnel. You need to flush the entire system without the expansion valve(or orfice tube in the other style system) or the dryer/accumulator in there. If you don't get all the junk out, you will blow a new compressor.
Check for leaks again before recharging.

Save yourself a grand in labor and do it yourself. Time consuming, but worth it. Get a repair manual it'll show you the easiest way to get at things.

 

Why do you have to replace the accumulator/dryer if the problem is a shot bearing on the compressor? Not being a smart arse, just wondering, as the people replacing my compressor did not mention this.

 

When you open up the system, it lets moisture in. The accum/dryer can only absorb about a teaspoon or so of moisture. That moisture cannot be removed by putting a vacuum on the system. It has to be baked out of the dessicant in the dryer. Moisture freezes and blocks the expansion valve/orfice tube.
If you don't replace it, you're rolling the dice.

 

alrighty, system evacuated, accum/dryer replaced, compressor unbolted (pain btw). It was like preforming open heart surgery on an elephant, upside down, while it stands on top of you. The problem now is trying to get the damn thing out of there. I'm lazy and don't want to remove any more parts to get the compressor out, anyone know of an easy way to get that thing out?

 

Dryer should be the last thing to go in, right before you button it up. Open to atmosphere=air dryer

 

sorry forgot to say that all hardlines are sealed shut to prevent moisture and its a V6 so room in cramped in there.

 

What receiver drier did you use?


this look right?
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raf...&partkey=2994309&a=FRc1434687k2994309-6838315