Removing AC compressor on 3.4

To remove the AC compressor does the fan shroud and power steering both have to be removed?

 

Just the power steering, I for real JUST got done doing an AC job (I posted a thread about it) and I used @turbodb's guide for it and it was a great guide to use. Heres a link:

https://adventuretaco.com/replacing-the-a-c-compressor-on-a-5vzfe-tacoma-tundra-4runner/

 

Thanks, much appreciate it, my compressor header seal blew out

 

Good luck!

 

I was going to replace the compressor and then have an AC guy charge it,

The company that sold me the compressor said it shipped with 4 ounce of oil.

I don’t know If I should add more or just install it and hopefully the AC guy knows what to do?.

 

I would add oil, but first dump out the stock oil as that guide says

 

Do you have to disconnect the power steering hoses?
Can’t the just disconnect the whole power steering pump from the bracket and push it out of the way?

 

I took mine out because it got too cumbersome and crowded

 

I extract the compressor out the bottom, with a bit of towards the front action. Only the frame clamps for the PS lines need to come off so the lines can move out of the way. The PS pump is not touched or any lines opened.

 

Really?
That sounds a lot easier

 

Yep, it's a juggling act for sure. Remember the compressor oil as you tilt, rotate and finagle the thing in and out to avoid embarrassment (spill). Getting the comp in place dry then adding the oil will keep it off your arms. Plugging the ports will also prevent spills but the chance of dislodging them would be high. Think about that as you go thru the removal process and make the call.

If you want a challenge, the comp can go in/out without tilting enough to spill.

 

Is the oil in the compressor connected to the oil in the engine?

 

Absolutely NOT,
The AC compressor oil is mixed in with the Freon when charged.
It’s a different amount for every car,
Tacoma is around 7 ozs or something like that,
Some new compressors come with oil some don’t.

 

Just so I know NOT to do it, what's the way to evacuate the refrigerant using basic hand tools at home?

 

Have a shop do it, most will do it for free because they recycle the old Freon

 

As far as I know there is no way to evacuate/pull down an A/C system without an ac machine unless ya just don’t care about yourself or the environment. As 1997tacomav6 said have a shop do it.
Back in the day, early 80s when I was learning the trade some of the techs would hang out in the back of the shop and drink beer before going home. Ya, it was a different world back then. Anyway there was one old guy that would tap a 12 oz can of R12 Freon and spray it on a 6 pack to cool it every evening. A 12 oz can was about 4 bucks then. Every day for the 5 or so years I knew him he would stand in a cloud of R12 every evening until one day he keeled over dead in his stall from a heart attack. That stuck with me, who knows if it was the r12 that did it but I’m sure it didn’t help.