Car is a 1999 EX, 1.6L.

In the fall of 2010, the car's AC compressor clutch went out. It basically produced a loud whine and the clutch physically flopped around a bit, even though the AC was still ice cold. Rather than fix it, the belt was removed. The freon was never let out.

Fast forward to now, and it's finally being taken care of. I'm wondering, considering the system was never evacuated, do I need anything more than the new compressor and dryer? I know people have mentioned removing the lines and such for cleaning, but the system was never evacuated (although I don't know if it developed leaks over time.) I'd like to buy a remanufactured compressor, swap it and the dryer out, have a shop vac/oil the system, and add freon. I just don't want to run into an issue in 6 months because I didn't do something.

The car also has a clutch issue and the driver's window regularly falls off the track, but those are other issues

 

Why not just replace the compressor clutch, pulley, and coil? It's possible to do this job without removing the compressor and disconnecting the refrigerant lines.

 

From what I've seen, the clutch kit is ~100, and I've read they're difficult to replace on the vehicle/require special tools/etc. I thought that, for the extra $30-40, I'd just grab a remanunfactured assembly and toss it on. If the clutch kits can be had cheaper, and are feasible to replace on the car, I'd prefer that route, honestly.

 

Do you plan to pay a shop to replace the compressor? What prices are you finding for a remanufactured Sanden compressor for your car? If you need to replace it, then also add the cost of recovery, evacuation, and recharging the system, as well as replacing the receiver/dryer.

Tools for replacing the clutch can probably rented free from AutoZone and other auto parts chains.


.

 

Ron,

Thanks for the diagrams. Based on that, would http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sanden-3057-A-C-AC-Compressor-Clutch-Assembly-/150889630142?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2321b909be&vxp=mtr work, or would I actually need to replace the shims, etc, as found in http://www.ebay.com/itm/WD-EXPRESS-657-21005-779-A-C-Clutch-/350762077552?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51ab0c8d70&vxp=mtr?

I'm going to be doing this myself, and would like to order this ASAP and get it sorted.

Thanks

 

Or, maybe the better question is, can the shims be purchased easily from a dealer if needed? Or is it easier to buy the kit (assuming they're needed.)

 

Bump it up. Any ideas?