AC Compressor and Clutch Repair

Hey all,

Just wanted to get some input on prices and options.

My AC stopped working a few weeks ago, took it in to the dealership and they said I need a new AC Compressor and Clutch and that it would make sense to replace the Drive Belt at the same time.

They said they arent able to find the compressor and that im looking at a minimum of 2 weeks, and quoted me at $2,050.

Price seems steep.

Has anyone been through this before or know what part im looking for?

Thanks

 

I had the entire ac system swapped in my second gen at a local shop last summer. With all that and the thermostat it was $1350, so if that the dealer labor and Toyota parts then that's about right I would expect.

 

Are you sure it doesn’t need just a clutch? Dealerships like to sell expensive parts and I really don’t replace a lot of compressors it’s usually a bad clutch.

 

Got a quote from local shop $2200. Refused to replace clutch only. Local stealership did job for just under $1700. Actually came in 5 dollars less than they quoted me. My trusted vt mechanic said it should be no more than $1500. General consensus speaking to people around here is that honest mechanics are hard to find around here in Ogden Utah meaning everyone gets top dollar. Guess it is a sign of the times. Good luck!
That was for clutch and compressor. Beyond my one man skills so what do you do.

 

get under there and see it it is just the clutch, $50 on ebay, and a 10 min job to replace, no freon, don't even need to remove the belt. This issue has been addressed in a couple other threads, including how to check it and how to replace it. Did mine years ago, worked great for years (AC dead from corrosion since). I have never hears of a service station willing to only replace a clutch, and the only place I could find to buy a clutch only, was Ebay. silly to replace a perfectly good compressor, if all it needs is a clutch.

 

Right now they are back ordered, we are struggling to find decent aftermarket solutions.

Typically the clutch is worn and the pump is shot so you change both. Toyota's are really expensive, so is the 1234yf refridgerant.

 

I do not find support for that statement. The clutch not being available easily, drives replacing the compressor too. Plus mechanics have high motive to agree with your sentiment: replacing compressor is more work and profit and an easy sell because we are all convinced that AC work is always BIG money; and with clutch alone not being replaced as a norm, they feel concern that it could be a bigger issue, and don't want to risk the call-back complaint.

compressor is very simple mechanical device. if you verify a bad clutch (spent flex-drive rubber) AND you can rotate the compressor by hand, without grinding; then a $50 clutch and 10 minutes labor will likely serve for many years, and is the smart investment. We too often send perfectly good parts to the landfill, because of what-if concerns; plus the side motives.

If the top priority were lowest cost or least waste; the industry would be quite different. Being on back-order, might be indication that his notion is catching on.

 

Everytime I have a pump that is seized or binding, the clutch is burnt to all hell.

If I put a burnt clutch back on a new compressor and it cooks it self, its a comeback, I'm replacing for free.

If I put a new clutch on a pump thats binding it seizes and damages the clutch anyway. Replacing for free, doing the job twice.

Buy once cry once. It's not a simple job like an alternator. Replace the whole unit.

 

I agree with this. I replaced my own compressor that was binding up and despite receiving a defective new clutch that set me back a half a week I still waited. Yes you don't need to recover, recharge etc the system for a clutch but atleast on a Tacoma, good luck just changing the clutch. You'll be in pretty close if now more time than r & r that compressor.

if you're doing the job yourself and don't have the ability to recover and charge your own system then sure, just toss a clutch on it if that's what it needs.

Honestly though if I were still at the dealership doing this, I would also sell them a whole compressor as the front seal often wears out and near the same time and then you have a "leak that can't be found" and the customer is coming back every spring for a charge.

If you're paying a shop for this job I see it akin to replacing a clutch+pressure plate but leaving the throwout bearing because it's still in good shape. If you're working at home, thats a different story. Shops have to be able to warranty their work to some extent or they're rolling the dice of doing it again for free along with the bad name of that customer telling everyone "they don't know what they're doing.... they're just throwing parts at my car, etc"

 

i do not disagree with anything you are all saying, and never suggested putting a new clutch on a bad compressor.

Point is simply, that sometimes all that is needed is a clutch, but as you both so clearly emphasize; a garage mechanic has lots of motive to replace the whole compressor, anyhow. For me the clutch lasted many years, and outlived the rest of the AC system. That will work the same for a good percentage of other, willing to investigate and DIY. The next problem I had after having replaced the clutch, was 2 years later when an aluminum tube corroded through, at a factory Steel hose clamp (thank yo Toyota). Replacing that line and re-charge gave me another 3+ years before other leaks; still original compressor.

Simply suggest: Bad clutch, then investigate and you get a pretty good sense of the condition of the compressor by turning it by hand. Looking close you will see that how the belt and pulley constantly will rotate with the engine, and the center shaft (on a good clutch) is fixed to the clutch plate. engine OFF, rotate the center by hand, which is rotating the compressor; the compressor is totally mechanical, so feel for grinding, clunking or rotating to a point and suddenly stopping with a clunk; if any of these exist, then the clutch failure is a Symptom, NOT the Problem. But if none of these are found then a new clutch is likely the problem, and a worthy effort. A few minutes and $50 can really pay off, no crying necessary.

 

Well, I have the same problem. A/C compressor clutch started making squealing noises and the A/C turns off. I guess it's common.
The truck is under warranty, at 34K miles. I can't believe the A/C clutch failed so early.
The truck is under warranty and I do not want to touch anything risking to void it, etc. So it is at the dealer. They tell me that the clutch and the compressor have to be replaced but they can't get the clutch at this point and there is no ETA on the part, which they ordered. So I have to pick up the truck and have no A/C and no defrost until they get the part(s).

Does anyone know how long it may take to get the part (clutch)? No ETA does not make me confident that they are ever going to get the part. So what now, Toyota themselves can't fix their cars that are almost new?

I do have to say, it is unbelievable that 34K mile A/C clutch fails AND that they do not have replacement parts for an almost new vehicle...

Thanks!