A/C compressor replacement?

I'm thinking of having my A/C compressor replaced as a preventive measure after having my system refilled 3 times from o-rings leaks. I got about 110K miles on my 2012, lots of it speeding on dirt roads. Also, since I'm in Quebec, there's some corrosion from road salt as well.

Any suggestions on a reliable replacement compressor? Anything else I should be replacing while I'm at it?

 

Other than leaks and refills, is the A/C cooling well?

Unusual noise from the A/C clutch?

Do you know the O-ring material?

 

Seems like a waste of money. The compressor is not usually the failure point.

Have you dye tested the system. If nothing is coming from the seals of the pump, the pump is fine.

 

In my experience I wouldn't replace it with anything other than OEM. Reman compressors are really a crap shoot. The one you have now might be better and last longer than a "new" reman.

 

The A/C is not cooling yet again. Seems like the compressor works but when I give it some gas, it sounds like I have a turbo under the hood. I replaced the clutch 3 yrs ago and it engages properly. I haven't test dyed the system. I'm thinking of replacing the pump for a few hundred $ instead of dealing with the costs of mine exploding down the road. I'm planning on keeping my taco for at least another 5 yrs.

 

Sounds like you have set your path.

Suggest to get the A/C compressor from Toyota. Go OEM.

 

My A/C compressor failed at 72,000 miles. I replaced it and the condenser.

 

If the system is really low on refrigerant, the compressor wouldn't even come on because the low pressure cutoff would activate. That noise could be any number of things... alternator, idler pulley, whatever. First thing is to put some AC gauges on it and actually measure vent temps.

 

How did it fail? Did the main seal just start leaking or did you have a "black death" explosion? I had that once on a Chevy S10 and had to change the condenser and flush everything else out to get all the debris out of the system. What a PITA.

 

The main seal
Slowly failed. I had $700 in parts and did all the labor myself

 

Why did you replace the condenser, then? Just a precaution?

 

Because the accumulator is built in to the condenser. And should be changed when you have a A/C failure. No since in changing the $$ compressor and possibly leaving trash in the system only to work it’s way to the new compressor and having to redo everything

 

Wow, learned something new, I have never seen that before. Filter/driers and accumulators are usually a cheap separate piece. I guess I don't know my truck as well as I thought... and in this case it's a good thing because I have never had to touch the air conditioning system. Probably just jinxed myself.

 

Looks like I'll go for OEM or the Denso 471-9196. Seems like they might actually be the same? Anyhow, both are expensive

 

Try putting some service valve schraders in it, those can leak. Put some dye in it

How do you know the compressor is making the noise you're concerned about? Have you listened around with a stethoscope?

It would be a bummer if you put a new compressor in it and still had a slow leak and a weird noise

 

The noise only comes up when I put the A/C on. It's hard to describe other then a winding noise as the engine revs. It stops as soon as I cut out the A/C so don't know what else it could be Would a lack of refrigerant also cause this type of noise?

 

I misunderstood. If the noise is only there when the a/c compressor engages then it sounds like you're on the right track

 

I am currently ordering parts for mine . My compressor grenaded on the highway causing my serpentine belt to blow as well . Thankfully I had a spare serpentine belt under my seat . I disabled the clutch and AC relay and fuses to get home . Needless to say I have been driving with no A/C for a few years . You can still drive the truck as long as the A/C system is disabled . The A/C clutch will never apply .
Living way up North in Canada , I seldom need to use the A/C . I am also doing the AC mod to disable the compressor from operation during defrost
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/a-c-on-with-defrost.7160/
There is an informative thread with diagnostics and schematics where I have been doing my research here .
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/a-c-light-blinking.107982/
According to some of the members posting throughout the link , there is talk that the factory compressor ( Delphi ) is junk ??? Its an old thread from back in 2010 mind you .Maybe things have changed