Rebuilding A/C compressor?? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

patcal · 07-19-2009, 09:29 AM

On my 90 DX, the r134 leaks out pretty fast. About 2 weeks. I have tried some stop leak but it did not help. I took it to a mechanic to see if he could locate the leak. He told me my compressor is bad and there was the leak finding dye all over the compressor. Well my problem is how can the compressor be bad if it still producing extremely cold air. Everything works great as long as there is freon in the system. Has anybody replaced the seals in their compressor? There is a kit for about $55 but the process seems to entail some SSTs. I do not have the money for a new compressor. What do you all think? Thanks.

Flashmn · 07-19-2009, 03:12 PM

Yeah, you need SST's or knowledge on how to go around them. If you havent fixed a compressor before, I wouldnt attempt it cold feeted, its not the easiest thing to do.
Whats leaking, the axle seal, the rear seal or the hose connections.

Also if your compressor is a R12 compressor, dont bother fixing it.

90 GP · 07-19-2009, 03:15 PM

A replacement compressor with clutch is $363 plus $16.69 for a drier from NAPA. Might be money better spent considering the price of SST's if the repair doesn't solve the problem.

patcal · 07-19-2009, 03:48 PM

I was hoping to do it without the SSTs. I am not sure what is actually leaking. There is dye all over the compressor. This is a system that has been retrofitted from r12 to r134.

retiredat44 · 07-19-2009, 04:11 PM

rebuilt/new compressor on eBay $100 - $150 and most of them work fine. Get one with warranty. You are going to ruin your compressor that leaks anyways because it will leak out the oil wih the refrigerant. You can replace it yourself, get a new filer/drier too. Then take it to a shop and have them vacuum and charge it.

Rebuilding them with new seals is a PITA, unless you know how to do it. Even
then, it could have unseen damage, like scored parts from low oil.

you can go with Napa, if you have the cash.

Flashmn · 07-19-2009, 05:24 PM

I realized from the first post that its retrofitted, but did they also change the compressor when they did it?

patcal · 07-19-2009, 07:18 PM

I have no idea since it was done before I got it. I doubt it though.