How hard is it to change out a compressor?

[Detectorist]

I'm getting a bit of high pitched whine from the engine compartment. When I turn off the AC it gets quieter, but it's still there. My guess is the bearing is going out. Wonder how much time I have...

[tbhager94]

it could just be the clutch on the a.c compressor , i beleve they are replaceable on there own ?????????????

[Smiliesafari]

If it's the compressor bearing you should be able to feel it by removing the belt and turning the pulley by hand. The compressor on the "Smilie Van" made a ratteling noise for four years before I replaced it. I didn't want to deal with a total failure at a most inopportune time.

[CaptSquid]

If you DO decide to R&R the compressor, it's not as easy as you might think. I had mine done at a reputable shop because of the freon inside; that, and accessing it from both sides of the firewall.

If you STILL have the whine after turning off the AC, then it might be the idler pulley or the alternator.

[kings-x59]

You can have a shop remove the freon for you, then do the compressor yourself. Take it back to the shop and have them purge the system and refill it with freon. The purge is the critical step to remove all atmosphere and moisture from the system. This will save you big bucks.

I've had them squeal when the lubrication in the system was on the low side. At the time I had a mechanic put in an ac lubricant from BG systems and the squeal went away and no further problems. Cost like $35 at the time.

The danger of running it when it is squealing is that if it is the bearings in the compressor you can potentially wind up with metal shavings throughout the ac lines, evaporator etc. which requires a total tear down to clean them out. This happened on orginal R12 system on my van.