Replacing AC Compressor or recharging AC on 3rd Gens

Hi All,

Dealer just quoted me $1974 to replace the AC compressor in our 2016 TRD Sport. That seems outrageous expensive to me. I tried getting a Toyota specialty shop to do the repair but they said they can't do it because it requires the new 1234yf refrigerant. I've done a compressor swap and recharge before but that was on a vehicle 10 years old that still uses the R134.

Has anyone tried replacing the compressor and/or recharging their AC on a 3rd gen Tacoma?

thanks
tim

 

Have the other shop swap the compressor then have Toyota recharge it.

 

Is 1234yf that hard to find? I surfed some up pretty quick on line.

 

Here's a link to some on Amazon:

$106 Honey Well Genuine 8oz R1234YF Refrigerant (3 Freon Cans) & HD Brass Can Tap with Gauge

https://www.amazon.com/Honey-Well-G...rds=r1234yf+refrigerant&qid=1625081379&sr=8-5

 

No, it's not that hard to find and I don't quite understand why the shop couldn't do it. I also asked them about replacing the compressor and having Toyota charge it but there was something about damaging the compressor if I drive it w/o having it charged. I'm really not sure... This Toyota shop is very highly related so I assume there is some kind of complexity that I'm not aware of.

 

The ECU knows the pressure in the lines, won't activate the clutch to spin the compressor and cause damage. Find another shop.

 

if the system is not empty the after market shop will need something to recover it into. there r134a machine will not take it and if they try to it will contaminate the machine and it will lock down and then it will need to be cleaned. if the system is full you are saving over 150$ in Freon that will just be sucked out and reinstalled. most body shops should have a 1234YF machine. they may be able to install it for you

 

Thanks guys! I'm seriously thinking about just doing this myself. I got the service manual and I don't see anything that looks overly complicated to change that compressor. I did see though that the service manual states in multiple locations not to run the engine without refrigerant as the oil alone is not enough for lubrication. I hooked up techstream and it's showing B1422 (Compressor lock).

Can anyone think of a reason that I should steer clear of this that I'm not aware of?

 

The only thing that I would say, is visually look at it on the truck. Could be a pain to get to bolts etc.

 

Not sure if this is relevant but compressor seal failed on my gen 2 Taco about 4 years ago and all the refrigerant leaked out. Since there was no pressure in system, compressor will not engage so there was no problem operating truck. Ran it empty for two years and replaced with aftermarket compressor and had refrigeration shop vac. and recharge it.

 

If you don't have a recovery machine that capable of pulling a vacuum, charging the correct weight of refrigerant and oil you're wasting your time.

The new refrigerants are really fickle about the charge being correct. I realize this will be an unpopular opinion, but just ask your self what your time is worth given the high probability of failure.

I'm normally not for regulation, but I think the EPA should ban the sales of all refrigerants to the general public. There's too much fuckey with shade tree mechanics and this stuff

 

If it was me, I'd still change the part myself, then go somewhere for a recharge. They are finicky about charge and I've never been successful doin it.

 

R1234yf is very hard to recharge. The machine that does it goes through a very long process to ensure it is charged correctly. Zero moisture can get in and it has to be pulled to a deep vacuum before charged. I believe such systems are equipped with pressure sensors to ensure it has been done correctly. Someday maybe we will go to R600a or even better R290!

 

You can charge an r1234yf system with r134 if you vacuum and flush the system well before hand. The oil is compatible with r134a as are all the parts. The expansion valve won’t be quite right but you won’t be able to tell much difference.
Downside is the full amount to charge will have to be done by trial and error.

this isn’t too bad. I’ve been charging custom systems on classics for years. There are some good articles on how to read the gauges. Once the ac is cold enough for you it’s close enough really.

 

r1234yf is way too expensive to play trail and error

 

Read what he said again Itch...r134 is cheap.
Is the MINI forum really that boring?

 

I thought mini coopers were pretty cool. But this was in the 70s when I was in Europe, and they were Coopers... We used to joke about crushing them with tanks, and 5 ton utility trucks.

 

The 3rd gen doesn't use R134 so try again, not even the same charge fittings or expansion valve type.

https://macsmobileairclimate.org/20...obile-air-conditioning-systems-is-prohibited/

 

It can be done. That’s what he was saying. He didn’t say it was legal. Read and comprehend.

 

Yeah. I just pur a new ac compressor on my buddy's wife's CRV as he is now in hospice. What a pain in the ass. Another buddy had access to machines and gauges and we all banded together and did it for free.