Any advice on replacing my AC compressor?

The AC unit may be the only thing on a car is have never worked on. My compressor locked up and I got junk in the lines, so it has to be replaced. I bought an OEM Delphi compressor and OEM expansion valve. I was going to remove them, then take the truck to the shop to have them clean the lines and evaporator, then replace. Any advice on stuff I may be missing? I appreciate any help.

 

Replace the condenser too. If the compressor grenaded, there are bits of stuff in the pipes that you do not want to get in the evaporator coils.

 

Had a similar issue on a different (Toyota) car a few years back. For what an A/C shop would charge, bought the compressor and condenser on RockAuto, vacuum pump and A/C gage set from Harbor Freight and was still considerably cheaper than taking it somewhere to have it repaired.
If you're somewhat mechanically inclined, this should be doable. Watch a couple of videos, it's really pretty straightforward.

 

There’s a great YouTube video by Chris fix of it

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rulXlnG2Unk&list=PLvwpGZZRo9MwcOD37tpjO_CWYoiNuOB5p&index=2&pp=iAQB

 

Is the condenser what is mounted to the inner firewall, which requires the whole dash to come out?

 

Thanks, I've watched this before. I will re watch

 

No. The condenser is where the high pressure refrigerant is cooled. Physically, it is mounted in front of the radiator. I used a

$99 Denso 477-0839 A/C Condenser

Denso 477-0839 - which at the time (2023) was about $110. This Denso unit is used on Lexus vehicles and is a direct replacement for the Denso unit that Toyota installed, but it has a filter/drier that is replaceable, without requiring that you replace the whole condenser.

 

OK, whew. You saved me a panic attack

 

Is that not something that can be flushed with the lines?

 

no, it cannot.