badbird
Proven Member
- 47
- 0
- Nov 15, 2013
-
Little Rock,
Arkansas
Vehicle- 90 Talon TSI AWD manual
I have searched service manuals along with countless threads dealing with anything remotely similar to the question I have. For starters, I just completely overhauled the A/C o-rings, condenser, dryer and had the system evacuated and re-charged a few times to pin point any leaks. Turns out the initial leak in the condenser after getting fixed led to a leak in the compressor top plate o-ring. I replaced that instead of the whole compressor and it worked fantastic, held pressure and worked well for around 1 month.
I am sure that the extensive heat and overworking of the original 24 year old compressor finally caused it to give out after not being used for however many years the car had no refrigerant in it. Was driving and smelled a clutch burning, electric fire type smell, stopped immediately and pulled over to see what was going on. Turns out a bit of smoke and smell was centralized and all pointing to the ac compressor clutch, I ordered a new compressor and belt and they are on the way.
My main question is can the compressor come out from the top of the engine bay? I attempted to squeeze it out while replacing the compressor top plate o-ring gasket, but seemed getting it unbolted and moved over enough to get the top plate hex bolts off and replace the gasket was enough for me at the time. I'm not sure if the coil pack has to come off or what, but it almost fit pulley side up of course.
Any tips or ideas on how to get the old one out and the new one in correctly would majorly be appreciated.
I have searched service manuals along with countless threads dealing with anything remotely similar to the question I have. For starters, I just completely overhauled the A/C o-rings, condenser, dryer and had the system evacuated and re-charged a few times to pin point any leaks. Turns out the initial leak in the condenser after getting fixed led to a leak in the compressor top plate o-ring. I replaced that instead of the whole compressor and it worked fantastic, held pressure and worked well for around 1 month.
I am sure that the extensive heat and overworking of the original 24 year old compressor finally caused it to give out after not being used for however many years the car had no refrigerant in it. Was driving and smelled a clutch burning, electric fire type smell, stopped immediately and pulled over to see what was going on. Turns out a bit of smoke and smell was centralized and all pointing to the ac compressor clutch, I ordered a new compressor and belt and they are on the way.
My main question is can the compressor come out from the top of the engine bay? I attempted to squeeze it out while replacing the compressor top plate o-ring gasket, but seemed getting it unbolted and moved over enough to get the top plate hex bolts off and replace the gasket was enough for me at the time. I'm not sure if the coil pack has to come off or what, but it almost fit pulley side up of course.
Any tips or ideas on how to get the old one out and the new one in correctly would majorly be appreciated.