A/C Compressor Disassembly - questions

[DHMag]

after 3000 miles of driving in 100 degree weather without A/C, ive decided to bite the bullet and redo the A/C system.

when i first got the car, the A/C didnt work. i retrofitted it the cheap way. it worked, but not very well. 2 weeks later, the compressor grenaded.

a year later, i installed a used compressor and charged the system without sucking it down. it worked like before. on a Fordbastard run, the clutch caught fire. removed clutch hub and installed bypass belt. havent messed with it since.

i am unsure if the compressor is still good or not. so would it be alright for an individual like myself to disassemble the compressor and successfully rebuild it ?

the main reason i want to disassemble it is to remove the remnants left in the system from the first compressor grenade. i disassembled that compressor and found the piston bearings wedged against the swash plate, gouging the swash plate. so i know there is trash in the system.

does anyone have any tips or tricks on overhauling a stock compressor for better efficiency or making it capable of higher RPMs ?

and one last question, what kind and how much oil do i add to a dry compressor ?

sorry for being lengthy and jumpy.

 

[TYSHO]

Dale, I don't know if there's other compressors that will bolt up on the SHO, but I saved this on my hard drive for my own good, if I ever needed a new compressor.

"The correct compressor for the SHO is the Nippondenso 10P15F. It is made for the higher RPMs. The other compressor is for a regular Taurus 3.0. rangerj"

If it is possible to install a different compressor, maybe you just had a bad pick on the last used one and it was not meant for the higher rpms, therefor locking up on the run.

Anyhow, hope you get her blowing cold!

 

[rangerj]

If you find a source for a rebuild kit for the Nippon Denso 10P15F please let me know. They are available, but are VERY expensive.

Compare the cost of the kit to the cost of a rebuilt compressor.

There are many A/C sources with web sites, so do a search with something like "Auto A/C parts".

Anyone with experience in dealing with these "on-line" A/C suppliers would you please post your results, that is your level of satisfaction with your purchases. I buy from a local parts store because I have 25 years of experience with the store and know they will honor warranty issues properly.

In answer to your question, yes, you can rebuild an A/C compressor. But, in my honest opinion it may not be the best way to go economically.

Use R-134a oil or a compatible synthetic oil. The total amount of oil in the system is 7 ounces to 8 ounce (7.5 ounces). Put 4.5 ounces in the compressor (suction port), 1 ounce in the condenser, 1 ounce in each line (oriface and accumulator/dryer lines). Note: If you buy a rebuilt compressor it MAY come with oil in it.

 

[greenbeanmtx]

Im not sure if he still has it but greenbeans compressor still worked and it was r134a, Bmcreider might still have it. Im not too sure though. Unless you like tinkering it might just be better to get another one.

 

[TYSHO]

Im not sure if he still has it but greenbeans compressor still worked and it was r134a, Bmcreider might still have it. Im not too sure though. Unless you like tinkering it might just be better to get another one.

He still has it, but the way that 89 compressor sounds, he'll be needing a swap pretty quick!

 

[DHMag]

Brian, the compressor i got was from Murph, and pulled it from a SHO myself.

rangerj: i have not yet looked for rebuild kits but it is on my agenda for tonite. there really isnt much. a few o-rings, needle bearings, reed valves. as far as buying a rebuilt compressor, i am keeping it an option but having worked in the auto parts retail business, i saw too many compressors come back because they failed within a year. i dont want to be replacing compressors every year. first, id like to pull this compressor and see how it looks inside. if i need parts, i still have my old one. ill look into some more and PM you if i find anything worthy of recognition.

i was hoping you would reply cause i know youre the "Go-To" man for A/C related questions . thanks for the reply and info.

 

[rangerj]

DH,

The one time I looked into a rebuild kit for a NipponDenso 10P15F was a few years ago. the OEM, that is one available from a Ford dealership, it was $375.00 at list price. I have not seen any aftermarket kits, but keep in mind that the Japanese are sticklers for protecting their intelecual property.

I did get a new "O" ring for the front compressor head and that thing was $35.00 (one simple "O" ring!).

I did find a few web sites that have compressor rebuild kits, including kits for other Nippon Denso compressor series, but none were listed for the 10P15F specifically. Nor was the 10P15F listed in a series of compressors covered by the kits I found. You can rebuild the 13, and 17 series all day long, and the kits are relatively reasonable in price.

I have not seen the 10P15F listed for any other application, other than the SHO. You would think that it would have been used in some of the high performance Japanese products. If it is, I have not found it.

Anyways, I am most interested in what you find out about the availability of rebuild kits. I would also like to know what others have experienced in dealing with "on-line" aftermarket suppliers of A/C componenets. I too have seen many rebuilt compressors fail, but I am not sure that it is the fault of the rebuilder. I think many failures are due to a lack of cleaning out the system. People just do not want to pay to have it done right.

PS, thanks for the compliment.

 

[DHMag]

what is the difference from a 10P15F and a 10PA15C and/or 10PA17C ? the internals look similar to what i remember.

**EDIT** also, include the 10P15C, 10P13F, and any other similar Nippondenso compressor. all of the internals ive found resemble the SHO compressor internals.

 

[ButteCo]

FWIW there is a SHO A/C COMPRESSOR on E-Bay right now. It is the NIPPONDENSO one you need - it is at $240 BUY IT NOW with NO BIDS and ends in 2 days.

 

[rangerj]

The internals of the 3.0L SHO engine and the 3.0L SLO engine look "similar" also. But, are they the same? :corn:

The specifications for the rebuild kits should tell you which compressor, or series of compressors, that the kit can be used in. There may in fact be a number of parts that are interchangeable in several of the compressors, but which parts fit in which compressors?

If you have access to the individual parts lists you could do a part number comparison. Have you found a rebuild kit listed for the 10P15F? The other compressors you listed are much more common, and used in a wide variety of Japanese and U.S autos.

IIR I have not seen any other application for the 10P15F compressor.
I need a front head gasket(the big "O" ring) for my compressor. Is it listed as a seperate part?

 

[DHMag]

i have not yet found any source for rebuild kits for the 10P15F. i found a drawing of a swash plate for a 10PA17C which resembles the swash plate i removed from a 10P15F. the only difference is instead of a threaded shaft, the PA17C has a splined shaft. then again, its a drawing and not a real picture. also, the pictures for the reed pltes look identical to what ive seen with my own eyes.

i cant find the compressor i disassembled, so after the car cools off a bit, im going to remove mine. unless you have pictures of the individual internals for a 10P15F ?

so far, i have not had any luck with finding aftermarket parts for the SHO compressor. i have yet to check the manufacturers of compressors (Factory Air, Four Seasons).

regarding similarities between the Nippondenso on the SHO and that of other vehicle makes, so far, i can only see the housing and clutch being different.

as for interchangability, if you can use Honda connecting rods in a small block Chevy, anything is possible

i am debating on buying up a couple used 10P15Fs for research and study. would you like a used o-ring or would you prefer new ?

The internals of the 3.0L SHO engine and the 3.0L SLO engine look "similar" also. But, are they the same? :corn:

The specifications for the rebuild kits should tell you which compressor, or series of compressors, that the kit can be used in. There may in fact be a number of parts that are interchangeable in several of the compressors, but which parts fit in which compressors?

If you have access to the individual parts lists you could do a part number comparison. Have you found a rebuild kit listed for the 10P15F? The other compressors you listed are much more common, and used in a wide variety of Japanese and U.S autos.

IIR I have not seen any other application for the 10P15F compressor.
I need a front head gasket(the big "O" ring) for my compressor. Is it listed as a seperate part?

 

[rangerj]

New or used, as long as it seals it is OK by me, I'll PM you tomorrow.

 

[DHMag]

New or used, as long as it seals it is OK by me, I'll PM you tomorrow.

after becoming impatient because i could not find my original compressor, i removed the compressor from my car, and then i found the other compressor . as it looks, the 3 o-rings used for the body halves and ends are identical. so i have 6 of em.

 

[DHMag]

rangerj, you wanna know what i just found out ?

 

[rangerj]

DH,
The suspense is killing me!