Verify instructions on changing air-con compressor please.

[acarmody]

OK so changing my compressor soon, just wanted to check I've got it down pat.

1. System is already degassed, done by auto-sparky today.
2. Remove serpentine belt.
3. Remove bolt holding lines into compressor. Do these just pull out after??
4. Unclip electrical plug.
5. Remove compressor retaining bolts.
6. Reverse to install, but putting o-rings on pipes before bolting back.

7. Do not attach dryer until getting it gassed. Do the nuts on the dryer just twist off and the pipe pulls off or what?

Also where is the TX Valve?

I'll do a full write-up with pics when I do mine. Just want to check that I know how to do it first.

[vx_commodore]

Yep thats it, Put new O ring's on!
They sure do just pull out.
I have never heard of not putting drier on till regas, best not leave the line's uncoverd for any period of time.
TX valve is on the fire wall - pass side, Toward the right of the rocker cover, The top aircon line goes into it.

[acarmody]

Yep thats it, Put new O ring's on!
They sure do just pull out.
I have never heard of not putting drier on till regas, best not leave the line's uncoverd for any period of time.
TX valve is on the fire wall - pass side, Toward the right of the rocker cover, The top aircon line goes into it.

Cheers.

Honestly looks like I could knock this job over in 1 hour. Why do auto-sparkies charge $1000 for this?

Lines are currently de-gassed.

[scvs6]

Cheers.

Honestly looks like I could knock this job over in 1 hour. Why do auto-sparkies charge $1000 for this?

Lines are currently de-gassed.

Compressor is worth $495 retail genuine from Holden.
Those two O rings are worth $30 each.
Then theres the TX valve, dryer, and re gas.
Finally there is the labour to do all that.

[acarmody]

Commodore VT VX VY V6 Air conditioning Compressor-NEW! | eBay

Genuine compressor + o-rings + dryer

And I'm pretty sure the sparkies wouldn't buy from Holden.

[scvs6]

Commodore VT VX VY V6 Air conditioning Compressor-NEW! | eBay

Genuine compressor + o-rings + dryer

And I'm pretty sure the sparkies wouldn't buy from Holden.

Yeah if you can get it for that price off eBay then thats fair enough but I was talking about buying it from the dealer (I bought one last week).

I know that the A/C gas isn't cheap either.

But I do agree with you, parts can be bought cheaper so they shouldn't charge $1000.

[Boonz]

pretty sure they do cos they get 2 years parts warranty and trade pricing... anyhooo.
most places will still charge you $150 to pressure test the system and then gas it if it not leaking.

[acarmody]

Yeah if you can get it for that price off eBay then thats fair enough but I was talking about buying it from the dealer (I bought one last week).

I know that the A/C gas isn't cheap either.

But I do agree with you, parts can be bought cheaper so they shouldn't charge $1000.

I guess every place has thier reasons. Like I like my auto-sparky, charged me $180 for 3 hours work, no pre-work price agreement or anything, and I've only been to him once before.

Also I got a re-gas done by Holden of all places once, $77. And I wasn't an easy customer either, since after they gassed it, the valves stuck open so they had to drain it, fix the valves and regas it. Took ages and they still didn't charge me any extra.

[scvs6]

I guess every place has thier reasons. Like I like my auto-sparky, charged me $180 for 3 hours work, no pre-work price agreement or anything, and I've only been to him once before.

Also I got a re-gas done by Holden of all places once, $77. And I wasn't an easy customer either, since after they gassed it, the valves stuck open so they had to drain it, fix the valves and regas it. Took ages and they still didn't charge me any extra.

Thats actually a good price, especially from Holden, I would have expected it to me more then that. I have only had one bad experience from Holden and that was when they quoted me ($90) the wrong price to replace the clock spring in my VS. I went to pick up my car and it was more then double the price ($290) that they quoted me haha.

[wamboin23]

Commodore VT VX VY V6 Air conditioning Compressor-NEW! | eBay

Genuine compressor + o-rings + dryer

And I'm pretty sure the sparkies wouldn't buy from Holden.

i can honestly say that I would make very very little, but most probably lose money on that combo from my supplier.

it's all well and good to wonder how the hell we charge so much, but we pay ridiculous amounts of taxes and levies, A/C gas costs around $30-$40 a kg, have to make money on parts, and then there is labour on top of that.

[wamboin23]

Yeah if you can get it for that price off eBay then thats fair enough but I was talking about buying it from the dealer (I bought one last week).

I know that the A/C gas isn't cheap either.

But I do agree with you, parts can be bought cheaper so they shouldn't charge $1000.

can definatly be brought cheap, but whats the customer going to think when they've got to wait 3 weeks for a warranty replacement from some dude on ebay, just so they could save 300 dollars.

[scvs6]

can definatly be brought cheap, but whats the customer going to think when they've got to wait 3 weeks for a warranty replacement from some dude on ebay, just so they could save 300 dollars.

Yeah thats true. Thats why I bought my A/C compressor from Holden, if theres a problem I can just take it straight back and don't have to worry about chasing up someone on eBay. I don't get Holden to regas the system though, I got a guy to do it that came out to where I work and he regased it no worries.