Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement, Need Some Help.

2015 Tacoma TRD Off Road V6, 4X4 Auto, 124,000 miles.


I would like to get an entire new unit with the clutch/pulley already installed. I want to get an OEM Toyota replacement but from what I have been researching it looks like they are unavailable from Toyota. Am I correct?

Are there any other reliable brands that I can use like Denso?

Am going to have an independent shop replace it, is there anything else I should do? They wanted to replace the condenser at the same time. Is the condenser usually replaced at the same time as the compressor?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Denso is a good choice and it comes assembled.

The oem is backordered it seems and you need to assemble the clutch and measure free play. It's not hard but its easy to mess up.

If I had a 2nd gen I'd order a denso long before oem.

 

If it’s backordered that simply means they’re failing now and is a demand.

might be available in other ways.

the condenser is fucked up and around $60. Why would you not do other parts like that while you’re in there. The truck is not new.

 

I have been searching and I can't find anywhere that sells Denso AC Compressors. Even the Denso website doesnt show them for my truck. The only brands I can find are Four Seasons, Murray, UAC, Nissens, and Delphi.

 

They used to be common, odd.

Looking at rockauto I'd be fine with any of the choices except the cheapest 4 seasons model.

Looking at napa (canada prices) here is an example of what we refuse to run



The black coated compressors ALWAYS give us trouble. Stay away from them, regardless of brand.

 

https://www.autozone.com/cooling-heating-and-climate-control/a-c-compressor/p/denso-a-c-compressor-471-1223/53419_0_0

advance also lists it but $$$

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/find/2016-toyota-tacoma-ac-compressor-with-clutch

 

Plugged in my truck info for Autozone and they do not have the Denso. Advance does show a Denso part # 471-9196, but its out of stock.

 

My local dealer is back ordered, Toyota Parts Direct is back ordered. I was gonna roll the dice and replace only the clutch, as that was the failure point. But after talking to the local dealer, he said his experience had been that the compressor soon follows. An A/C clutch job would be followed in a few months by a compressor replacement as well. Being on a fixed income and a Scotsman as well, I may try the clutch only....

 

Since you are using a shop to have it replaced- what's their policy on customer supplied parts & warranty issues?

 

50 feet or 50 seconds. Whichever comes first ;-)

 

Spoke with two shops, both said there is no warranty with customer supplied parts. But they said that they would work with me to order either a Denso or OEM Toyota. But from what I have been researching it looks like both OEM Toyota and Denso are all back ordered or out of stock.

 

I order a UAC back in 2019 because I had no other choice at the time, and it has been going strong for all these year. Just a heads up, The dealer told me that my compressor had failed. It was right before a move from Florida to Alaska and took the dealer on face value and ordered everything while I was waiting for them to finish up. In the end after I had everything apart it ended up being a 17 cent oring that had failed an let loose all the refrigerant.

Just a few tips. Remove the LH fender wheel well. It makes life way easier. Oreilles will lend you the vacuum pump and gauges for free. Chris Fix has a video documenting this exact replacement that was really good. He just left out few things but nothing to bad. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rulXlnG2Unk

 

Thanks for the info. I was thinking of doing everything myself but due to my current living situation I dont have all the tools and space to do it.

 

First things first.
If the compressor is "bad", is the system contaminated? 'Cause if it is, you're throwing your money away just replacing the compressor and condenser.

 

if denso is not obtainable, I think Delphi and Nissans are generally decent brands.

 

I find the dealer’s assessment to be sketchy at best. Per other posts on TW, Toyota doesn’t offer a standalone clutch, so how the dealer would know anything about the association between a clutch failure vs. that of the compressor is unfathomable.

Go for it, it’ll probably be worthwhile.

 

That's probably what I'll do. I have time on my side as temps are 20 degrees C at best now. My dealer in Kamloops and TPD both sold clutches. (Well, neither actually had them, but claimed to be available)

 

Got mine here last month. Condenser was on back order so i sourced it local. I bought the clutch off Amazon

https://parts.lakelandtoyota.com/p/toyota_2015_TACOMA/AC-Compressor/4166641/8832004060.html

XtremeAmazing A/C AC Compressor Clutch Assembly Kit Pulley Coil Set for Toyota Tacoma 2.7L 4.0L 2005-2015

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C4T2Z4YC?ie=UTF8