OT mechanics: changing ac compressor

If it was an internal failure you are going to have small particles of metal throughout your whole ac system. If you do not flush these out you will probably have trouble with the new compressor shortly.
You should also expect to replace the accumulator or dryer and expansion valves.
Do you have a way to pull a vacuum on the system after the install? Because you need to get all of the air out of the system.
In short you should probably let someone who knows what they are doing do this.

Compressor warranty requires condenser and evaporator to be changed. Opening up the system means dryer has to be changed also. Might as well swap out the expansion valve while you're in there. Plus you have to capture and recharge refrigerant. And then $100/hr labor for a whole day's job.

A typical compressor swap runs between $1000 and $1500


Eta: I've done it, but I've been working on cars for a long time, and am much more than moderately mechanically inclined. Still had to bring it in to get the system fully recharged by a machine. It is a PITA on anything without exceptional room under the hood. I'd suggest you either get a second quote, or pony up the cash

My gf needs one in her small Benz. I told her I'm not doing it because there's no room to work

Tell your wife she's a fat pig and needs to sweat off some pounds and you need to spend less money. WIN WIN

Is it the compressor or the compressor clutch which is bad?

It is something I could and did do when I was young and broke but I also wrenched on every part of my cars then and could build an engine without a youtube video. Now I wouldn't even think about it, first, my time and the lack of frustration is worth more than I would save, second, I did it on 60s/70s era muscle cars with room under the hood and the compressor right there on top (zero room, especially in a Civic), third, if you don't work on cars regularly I bet you will not have the tools to make the job easy enough you won't be ready to beat the car with a hammer.

I would get another quote (unless the one you got is from a mechanic you trust) but get professionals to do it because you have to swap out most of the system to do the job correctly anyway.

quote:

---

Here is a Craigslist mechanic in N.O. that seems to have reasonable rates listed. He will do it at your house but may be cheaper if you go to him.

---

Don't ever use people like this. If they frick up you have no recourse. Use somebody that has a shop you can go back to instead of begging this guy to come back to your house.

quote:

---

I did it on 60s/70s era muscle cars with room under the hood and the compressor right there on top (zero room, especially in a Civic), third, if you don't work on cars regularly I bet you will not have the tools to make the job easy enough you won't be ready to beat the car with a hammer. 

I would get another quote (unless the one you got is from a mechanic you trust) but get professionals to do it because you have to swap out most of the system to do the job correctly anyway.

---

This all day, have you looked under the hood to see where all the shite is your going to have to replace? Screw that!

quote:

---

Sayre

---

Yeah, I'm getting the message loud and clear

I called a few stores and the part is surprisingly inexpensive, which got me thinking about doing it myself. Then I started reading about the job online and it's about 65/35 in favor of get a pro to do it.