Just wondering what is involved with replacing it. There's a leak of red/brown/orange fluid coming out of it right now. According to the shop manual evacuation of the system is not required (?)... Has anyone replaced one of these themselves? I really don't want to pay for someone replacing it if it's not too difficult a job.

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Every compressor I've replaced I've had to evac the system...I f you open the system .... You will have to evacuate

 

I wonder why it says no need to evac, you have to get any humidity out of it or it will freeze and plug up very quickly.

That said you can do all the work yourself and rent a vacuum pump and do it all yourself, start to finish.

 

I would look at it a little closer. That sounds like antifreeze is dripping onto the compressor from above. Is it still blowing cold?

 

Gosh - I HOPE it's antifreeze dripping from the water pump - that'd be awesome since it's covered under the 100K mile warranty... But it really looks like compressor oil... I haven't turned the A/C on since I started noticing the leak... It's at the dealership right now for a diagnosis ONLY (i.e. I made sure the ticket was written up that no non-warranty work would be performed without my approval).

I figured if it was the water pump that it'd look more like the pink fluid that's in the recovery tank. Do you think it could turn to a brown/red/orange color just from dripping down the front of the block? Also, I didn't notice a coolant smell to it - it really didn't have any scent at all.

We'll see what the dealership says - they've been pretty decent to work with that last couple of times I've been in...

Thanks for the input guys...

 

Well I just got a call from the dealership - they aren't denying that there is/was a leak from somewhere, but they can't find anything. They checked the water pump, a/c compressor, hoses and lines... The tech cleaned the area and then ran the truck for over 20 minutes - no leaks...

Anyone want to bet that there's a couple of drops under the truck when I show up to take her home? sigh....

 

So I rode my bike down to the dealership in the @#$%ing wind - about 7 miles worth of headwind, and 3 miles of crosswind... Picked up the truck, drove it about 2 miles and pulled over to check - of course it was leaking again. Took it right back, and the lead mechanic came out and looked at it in the customer drive-in area... Yep, it's leaking (DUH). The good thing (keep your fingers crossed) is that he doesn't think it's the a/c compressor - more likely the water pump (thanks for the suggestion bgott!!!) - which is still under warranty. They needed to keep the truck because they probably won't get it finished today - luckily they gave me and the bike a ride home in the courtesy van...

 

Got the truck back today - water pump was replaced. $100 deductible and I'm back on the road. Thanks for the input guys, and I'm really glad it turned out to be something other than the A/C compressor...

 

I'm glad to hear you got off easy!