Broken AC Compressor

[JaredJHuffman]

'95 ATX Green

My air compressor seized up the other day and fried my belt. Lacking in the $1200 it would cost to get a new compressor and accumulator, I was wondering if I could just throw a broken or dummy compressor in to hold the pulley. Then, I could just pay the couple hundred bucks in labor, saving $900 to not have AC.

Along the same lines, is the SHO compressor the same as the taurus compressor? Is it close enough for my purposes?

-Jared J Huffman

 

[projectSHO89]

The compressor is unique to the SHO (of course!).

A compressor and accumulator would run less than $400 at the parts store. However, if the compressor self-destructed, it will be a lot more.

Unless the clutch bearing is gone, you can just unplug the compressor clutch and install an new belt, provided that clutch pulley still turns freely with the clutch not engaged.

Steve

 

[JaredJHuffman]

The clutch isn't just loose. The shaft is actually bent - drastically.

The repair shop (who uses NAPA parts) quoted me 600 for a reman compressor and then another couple hundred for the accumulator.

 

[SHOtimer]

Was that including R&R of the compressor or just the part? A new or rebuilt compressor should only run you around $200ish...

Check:
www.partsamerica.com
www.autozone.com
www.rockauto.com

Doug

 

[JaredJHuffman]

ac orifice tube 40.39
ac accumulator 143.68
accumulator labor 127.85
1 hr diagnosis 67.29
compressor 594.69
compressor labor 188.41
134a 24
belt 37.59
TOTAL 1223.9

 

[JaredJHuffman]

with RockAuto parts

ac orifice tube 1.97
ac accumulator 103.79
accumulator labor 186.2
compressor 358.99
compressor labor 274.4
diagnosis 67.29
134a 24
belt 37.59
shipping 22.04
TOTAL 1076.27

 

[Denny]

So the labor price went up when you provided parts? Not to mention, they can't give you a warranty on the parts but probably on labor...which would be a tough battle if say in a few monts something happens they'll pass the buck on a "bad part." If you can go without the a/c, just throw in a dummy compressor that has a good bearing on it and a new belt.

 

[JaredJHuffman]

Yeah that sounds like the best plan.

Is there any way the standard taurus compressor would fit the belt? I'm not using it for AC...

 

[SHOtimer]

Why did the compressor labor jump by about $100.00? I guess I was a bit low in what the compressors are going for now....the other prices look fair. But, you could easily save about $150-200 by getting the compressor yourself.

The SHO compressors used to sell on ebay all the time....only one used one on there now....

But, in answer to your question: In order to get the system functional again will run you a pretty penny as you have noted. However, if you just want to drive the car - you can go to a j/yard and just pick up a used compressor - swap them out and then the used one can just freewheel.

Here is a thread that gives you all the info to just buy a belt to bypass the AC:
http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=7295&highlight=belt+a/c

Doug

 

[FamilySHO]

For what it's worth OE Parts HQ list a new Motorcraft compressor, YC105, for $217. It seems to include the clutch but even if it doesn't a Motorcraft hub,
pulley, and coil, YB500, is about $150.00.

http://www.oehq.com/index2.cfm?showpage=body2.cfm&CFID=1543654&CFTOKEN=35595211

Having recently gotten a clutch assembly through partsamerica that didn't fit, the pulley was to small to go down the compressor shaft, and having had other problems with parts that were wrong or didn't fit or didn't work I've gotten really dubious with third party part vendors.