A/C compressor price?

[wiggafly808]

Hi, i have a few questions, so could some of you corolla experts help me out?

im thinking of picking up a 5 spd 89 corolla gts for $1000.

it needs an a/c compressor.

How much do these cost? less than $200 right?
and would it be hard to do myself? i dont have much knowledge in this area, but i can pick up the chiltons, etc, and i have friends who are pretty good with cars. they can help me.

Also, any things to look for while im test driving?
thanks in advance!

here is a picture

[wiggafly808]

bump

[retiredat44]

I picked up a new/remanufactured (complete with clutch) on ebay for about $100 a while back. But I also converted to R134a. I had to replace my expansion valve because it was bad too, full of filth. My A/C compressor experinced Bl;ack death wher eit blew and sent crap everywhere int he a/c system.. you will need to Replace the drier too... don't open anything up until you are ready to prepare it for install... the type of oil you wil use will depend ont he refrigerent you use.

You might save yourself tons of work if you are willing ot pay a shop to flush the system, but you can put the compressor on and the drier,,, you cannot flush the compressor only the condensor.. all other parts must not be flushed..

if the system has not been open to the air than you are doing good,, but if black death occured than expect to clean everything out,,, ask that forum how to do all this..

I don't know if you are going to switch to R134a or stay with R12. (R134a is much much much much much cheaper.. )

in any case, if you compressor froze or broke, it may have sent crap throughout the system and it may need cleaned out..
if your system is clean, then maybe just the compressor and a new drier,, but recharging ain't easy, and also follw the instructions on oil, the type, etc..
go here:


http://acsource.net/acforum/index.php

damm, it looks like they have mad eit so you must rebister forst, but it is wel worth it, one of the best AC forums to get help..

but be warned,t hey guys eat and breathe this and will almost certainly want you to go buy a good quyality guage and vacuum pump if you want to refill and recharge it yourself..

but at least you will get great info..it's up to you if you follow the directions..

[dLo914]

Nice find! My 89' AE92 looks just like yours except it's Red, but ive also got the same ATS 16" rims. So when i got my car it didnt have an A/C compressor as well. So since i dont really need A/C, but needed Power Steering i just went to the local junkyard (Pick-A-Part) picked out the A/C compressor of the same year/gen AE92 for like $30 give or take. (also cheaper to say it's the power steering pump, the people at the counter dont know the difference). Afterwards i just installed the pump as a dummy pump so i could have P/S. I havent bothered charging my A/C system yet, but to be sure the unit you find is in good working order. You simply just rotate the A/C pulley to make sure there's good compression when it's off the car. If it spins too freely then the pump is shot. Hope this helps and GOOD LUCK on your car !

BTW how many miles are on the car? And make sure to do a compression test before you purchase the car.

[wiggafly808]

oh i already picked it up =/

it has just under 102000 miles, and it was only like $800, so it was a good deal i think

i think ill just take it to a shop, as i dont want to ruin anything myself =(

thanks for the suggestions though

[dLo914]

nice! also was bored and browsed ebay and there's an A/C compressor up for bids. Nice low miles for an 18 year old car. Things that should be changed out: timing belt, water pump, idler bearing, belts, and the usual maintenance items. To extend the life of this engine Better safe than sorry unless the PO has shown you proof that the timing belt and such have already been replaced recently.

[wiggafly808]

clutch and flywheel done, as well as timing belt, water pump, and the head gasket


however, last night, i had starting problems.

im pretty sure its the battery.

luckily i was on a hill and was able to kick start it.


maybe you guys can help diagnose the problem.
when i turned the key, i heard like a whirring noise, and the engine wasnt revolving or whatever.
you know how when you start your car, you can hear the motor turning or something before it actually goes on?
instead of that, i heard a whirring noise.

when i got home, i was able to start it all 3 times that i tried, right away.

is this a battery problem?

[retiredat44]

Originally Posted by dLo914

nice! also was bored and browsed ebay and there's an A/C compressor up for bids. Nice low miles for an 18 year old car. Things that should be changed out: timing belt, water pump, idler bearing, belts, and the usual maintenance items. To extend the life of this engine Better safe than sorry unless the PO has shown you proof that the timing belt and such have already been replaced recently.

don't get a used compressor when a new/rem is only less than $100 !!