Rick's Free Auto Repair Advice

AC Compressor Repair — DIY compressor fixes

Learn how to perform your own AC Compressor Repair

AC Compressor Repair isn’t rocket science. Most DIYers can handle replacing the clutch, clutch coil, pulley bearing, pulley, case seals, flow control valve, and even the front seal. You don’t have to evacuate the system to perform clutch or pulley bearing replacement. But you don’t have to evacuate the system if you want to replace the front seal, case seals, or the flow control valve.

You’ll need a few tools

• Clutch puller/installation tool

AC compressor tool kit

AC compressor tool kit

• Clutch plate holder. Since you probably don’t know what size puller tool you need, you may be better off buying a complete kit for less than $50. This kit from amazon.com costs just $32

How to replace an AC Compressor Clutch

If you’re doing an AC compressor repair, you’ll have to remove the clutch. To do that, screw in the removal tool and hold the clutch disc with the holding tool.

car ac clutch holding tool needed when doing AC compressor repair

Use this tool to hold the AC clutch disc while you remove the pulley

Remove the retaining nut on the compressor shaft while holding the clutch disc with the holding tool. Then install the clutch disc puller. Use the clutch disc holding The clutch pulls right out exposing the coil and pulley. Remove the clutch coil. If you’re having clutch issues, replace the clutch disc, pulley and clutch coil

Remove AC clutch tool

AC clutch disc removal tool

and together.

Replace the AC pulley bearing

On a complete AC compressor repair, it makes sense to replace the pulley bearing. To do that, you’ll need a pair of snap ring pliers to remove the retaining ring.

Remove the old bearing and install the new bearing. Re-install the retaining ring. Make sure it fits into the groove

Replace the AC compressor shaft seal

Exploded diagram of AC compressor clutch when doing AC compressor repair

With the pulley off the compressor, you’ll be staring right at the main seal. If you find a lot of oil around the shaft, you’ve got a leaking main seal.

comprssor shaft seal

Compressor shaft seal

To replace the seal, first discharge the system. Then buy a new seal and a seal installation tool. The installation tool is a sleeve that fits over the shaft to protect the seal from installation damage. Oil the seal with AC oil and then slide it into place, making sure you don’t nick the green rubber O ring. There you go, you’ve just rebuilt your A/C compressor.

Can you fix your AC system with an AC leak sealer?

Learn all about AC leak sealers here

Find Compressor Clutch Plate Removal Tools Here

© 2012 Rick Muscoplat

Posted on by Rick Muscoplat

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