New AC compressor which brand to buy & where?

Hey TW

Last fall the ac compressor on my 02’ Tacoma burned out. So now I need a replacement..
If I call o Reilly they quote 250-350$ for one. Looking online at Amazon I see them for 120$ . Half of what Amazon sells is Chinese knockoff garbage so I don’t trust the prices.

which brand would you guys recommend?
Where can I pick one up on the cheap?

thanks everyone!

 

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...7,heat+&+air+conditioning,a/c+compressor,6628

OEM quality Denso for $180.

 

Don’t go Chinese. You will do the job twice if you do that. Has happened to me 2 times. OEM only

 

Is it necessary to change out expansion valve and drier as well?
Price is reasonable, might be good to just change out these non flushable components.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...t+&+air+conditioning,a/c+expansion+valve,6788

 

THAT is a very good question!

 

Also, shortly after the compressor burned up My mechanic removed the compressor.
A week or so later my wife was using the fan in the truck, then the fan stopped working all together.
Did we break something by running the fan without a compressor?

 

I don't think running the fan without the compressor would do any damage. You can press the AC button on the climate control which turns off the compressor and just runs the fan (blower).

I would replace the drier any time I opened up the AC system. Good idea to replace the expansion valve as well.

 

You said the compressor burned up, if you mean that it seized up then the system should be checked for metal contamination, if it was just leaking the chance of metal contamination is low but if it actually locked up there's a good chance of metal particls in the lines.

If there is metal contamination all parts of the system should be flushed, what can't be flushed (expansion valve, drier, and parallel flow condensers can not be flushed effectively) should be replaced to prevent repeat compressor failure.

 

When I say it “burned up” i actually mean that the clutch went out.

 

Why not replace just the clutch then?

 

I just did this job on my 1998 4Runner using the Denso replacement and wouldn't consider using anything else.

Any time you open up your A/C system you should always replace your expansion valve and drier. You can flush out your condenser, evaporator & lines with some A/C flush. I replaced every part on my 4Runner's A/C and it blows super cold even in the AZ heat.

Also, some say you need to remove the power steering pump to get the compressor out - you do not have to. You can unhook your transmission cooler lines from the radiator, and then remove the 2 12mm bolts on the PS lines and pull it out from the bottom.

 

Subbed

 

You don’t say if you have a 4 or 6 cyl. This is the exact replacement for my 2.7 that I got last year. Easy replacement from the top on the 3rz although you have to remove grill to get to the dryer.

$227 Denso 471-1222 New Compressor with Clutch

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001UCGHWM?ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_product_details

 

V6

 

This was the original compressor with 300k on it. It was recommended that I replace the whole compressor.

 

Running these low on coolant is not wise....

would replace the 134a every 15yr or 150K......

if so they can really last a long time.


Cost you a grand total of 2 cans from wally world....
...2 @ $8.88........


You'd have to source a vac pump and a gram scale....



I have doubts about anything new.......most are not same as the old....
shorter lifespan.....