AC compressor swap

[Kennysmoke]

I've got a 98 4Runner SR5 that the compressor siezed up and need to replace it. I've ordered a new compressor, drier, and condenser (all Denso) from RockAuto and should see them next week. I've searched this site and youtube for step by step instructions but have basically come up empty. Can anyone here please point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance!

 

[yotamonkey]

Make sure you put PAG oil in (if they don't come prefilled). Also, take your truck to get the system evacuated properly before swapping the parts.

 

[nissanh]

Follow above:

Remove drive belt, AC hoses and 4-14mm bolts and the compressor comes out. Add correct amount of oil to new compressor (check whether it contains any oil before adding fresh oil), put back 14 bolts, hoses (replace O-rings if possible) and tight those 10 mm bolts holding the hoses to the compressor (but don't over tight it), put the belt on.

Remove and replace AC condenser and filter and vacuum, check for leaks and add freon (correct amount) and also inspect the glass window located on the filter: Freon passes under that glass window and should not see bubbles when AC is engaged. A bubble or two is ok, but don't overcharge it.

You could use a camry or any toyota denso 17 ac compressor (just replace the pulley). I got a nearly new AC compressor from a Camry and waiting to go into the 4runner!

 

[Kennysmoke]

Follow above:

Remove drive belt, AC hoses and 4-14mm bolts and the compressor comes out. Add correct amount of oil to new compressor (check whether it contains any oil before adding fresh oil), put back 14 bolts, hoses (replace O-rings if possible) and tight those 10 mm bolts holding the hoses to the compressor (but don't over tight it), put the belt on.

Remove and replace AC condenser and filter and vacuum, check for leaks and add freon (correct amount) and also inspect the glass window located on the filter: Freon passes under that glass window and should not see bubbles when AC is engaged. A bubble or two is ok, but don't overcharge it.

You could use a camry or any toyota denso 17 ac compressor (just replace the pulley). I got a nearly new AC compressor from a Camry and waiting to go into the 4runner!

Do I need to remove the power steering pump to get it out? It looks pretty tight down there. Thanks for the replies!

 

[nissanh]

I believe so, you can move it out of the way or you can also flush the power steering system if you plan to remove the P/S pump completely off the engine. Make sure to clean the screen inside the P/S pump reservoir with brake cleaner (remove the reservoir from the pump: just 12 mm bolt holding it to the pump body)

 

[Kennysmoke]

Make sure you put PAG oil in (if they don't come prefilled). Also, take your truck to get the system evacuated properly before swapping the parts.

Yes I'm going to get it done right. I was considering buying some gauges and a cheap vac pump to fill the system but I may just try to find someone to evacuate the system, swap all the components myself, and bring it back to have it filled after the work is done. I decided I should probably change the evaporator and the expansion valve as well. It's a lot more work and money but on this 21 year old truck who knows when they were last changed, if ever.

 

[nissanh]

There is no need to replace the condenser and expansion valve unless your compressor was seized and pieces were pushed into the condenser. My car Corolla for example is 27 years old (274K miles) and the only item I replaced is the compressor pulley bearing and still the AC is ice cold in west TX weather. The 4R I have is 22 years old and the entire AC system is original.

From my practical experience, more items you remove in an AC system, more leaks you will find down the road. So minimize the removal of unnecessary parts in your AC and just do what is only necessary.

Rent a compressor and a set of gauges from a local autoparts store (see Timmy the tool mans AC video on youtube). Connect all hoses, vacuum the system for 30-45 minutes. Close gauges and inspect for any leaks by monitoring any drop in vacuum (if you remove just the compressor, just two joints that can cause a leak and easy to diagnose): IF there are no leaks, then add gas and drive: Return the compressor and the gauge set to get your 100% refund back.

 

[Kennysmoke]

There is no need to replace the condenser and expansion valve unless your compressor was seized and pieces were pushed into the condenser. My car Corolla for example is 27 years old (274K miles) and the only item I replaced is the compressor pulley bearing and still the AC is ice cold in west TX weather. The 4R I have is 22 years old and the entire AC system is original.

From my practical experience, more items you remove in an AC system, more leaks you will find down the road. So minimize the removal of unnecessary parts in your AC and just do what is only necessary.

Rent a compressor and a set of gauges from a local autoparts store (see Timmy the tool mans AC video on youtube). Connect all hoses, vacuum the system for 30-45 minutes. Close gauges and inspect for any leaks by monitoring any drop in vacuum (if you remove just the compressor, just two joints that can cause a leak and easy to diagnose): IF there are no leaks, then add gas and drive: Return the compressor and the gauge set to get your 100% refund back.

The compressor did seize and snapped the drive belt. When I bought the truck in March of 2018 the system had to charged the
gauge showed extremely low pressure so I'm assuming it was leaking.

 

[yotamonkey]

Yes I'm going to get it done right. I was considering buying some gauges and a cheap vac pump to fill the system but I may just try to find someone to evacuate the system, swap all the components myself, and bring it back to have it filled after the work is done. I decided I should probably change the evaporator and the expansion valve as well. It's a lot more work and money but on this 21 year old truck who knows when they were last changed, if ever.

I bought a set of gauges from Harbor Freight and a vacuum and R134 fitting from eBay. All in all it ran me about $150 and I've used it over and over for multiple vehicles.

 

[weekendclimber]

[MENTION=25434]BamaDrewski[/MENTION]

 

[azrex]

Compressor oil

FWIW: the Denso compressors come with a full charge of oil.

 

[BamaDrewski]

I've got a 98 4Runner SR5 that the compressor siezed up and need to replace it. I've ordered a new compressor, drier, and condenser (all Denso) from RockAuto and should see them next week. I've searched this site and youtube for step by step instructions but have basically come up empty. Can anyone here please point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance!

This should help you:

DIY Complete AC Replacement on 2000 T4R Limited