Where is this located on a 95 Bonneville?

I'm assuming you mean the orifice tube in the AC system. It is located up front in one of the two joints that connect to the condenser. You'll have to open the joint and remove it using the special tool or a pair of needle nose pliers.:)

I'm assuming you mean the orifice tube in the AC system. It is located up front in one of the two joints that connect to the condenser. You'll have to open the joint and remove it using the special tool or a pair of needle nose pliers.:)

That is it. Thanks!

BTW, the job is a real PITA.:banghead:

Have fun!:p

BTW, the job is a real PITA.:banghead:

Have fun!:p

I haven't looked at it yet, but what makes it a PITA? I know some have had a hard time getting the old one out. Is that what you mean? What am I in for?

First I have to put in an accumulator and based on what is in it I will make my next move. The compressor pulley seized up (AC was not running) and I got another one from the junk yard. I just hope the old compressor didn't blow internally. If it did I may just skip fixing ac.

I haven't looked at it yet, but what makes it a PITA? I know some have had a hard time getting the old one out. Is that what you mean? What am I in for?

First I have to put in an accumulator and based on what is in it I will make my next move. The compressor pulley seized up (AC was not running) and I got another one from the junk yard. I just hope the old compressor didn't blow internally. If it did I may just skip fixing ac.

My 95 went out and it sounded like a rod, its not that bad just get the correct puller made for that compressor only and buy a NEW bearing from the parts house if your going through all that trouble. :uhoh:

Ru1313

Once you open the system you'll probably find that the compressor failed and blew metal particles all over the inside of the system. To restore the system you'll need to flush out anything that you're not replacing. The condenser takes a while to flush because of it's design, and the evaporator is annoying because it's stuck in the car. You'll never get all of the crap out of the system, no matter how much time you spend flushing. If I had to do it over again, I probably would have just replaced all the lines and the condenser, and focused my attention on the evaporator. But that is some serious money! Replace all the o-rings and make sure you get the special sealing rings for the compressor to tubing connections(rubber coated flat washers,irrc). Put everything back in and connect it up, but don't forget to add the new oil to the system before you close it up. Get yourself a vacuum pump and pull it down, if it holds you can charge the system up. Don't even think about doing this job without a proper AC gauge manifold. The system takes almost three cans of R-134a. I did the job last summer and it took me a few days, feel free to ask me any questions as you go.

Good Luck:p

Did you pull the orifice tube already!? What did it look like? If it had silver and black particles all over it your compressor is toast.

Did you pull the orifice tube already!? What did it look like? If it had silver and black particles all over it your compressor is toast.


If only the bearing or the clutch is bad they can be removed WITHOUT removing any refrigerant, if the compressor is bad then its like you said.

ru1313

Hello. New to this forum. Love my 1995 Pontiac Bonneville.

The other day my clutch went on my AC Compressor. Even tho I turned the ac off when I realized there was a problem, after a while it caused the car to run rough, mainly at stoplights. Im guessing the bearing was going to. I believe it was the original ac compressor, which would mean it has around 275,000 miles of cooling on it. Engine and trans have both been replaced and currently have about 100,000 miles.

Not being afraid to do things myself, I decided to replace the AC Compressor and clutch, the 2 hose's running out of it, one to condensor and one to accumulator, the accumulator itself, and the orifice tube/expansion valve.

Well, I got all the parts out fine, the compressor being the most difficult. The only thing I could not find was the orifice tube. After much looking I determined it had to be in the line from the condensor to the evaporator, which I did not remove as there was no reason to (Till I read the forums and internet and found out the orifice tube is in this line). I was hoping it was near the condensor as trying to get to the evaporator I have no idea how hard that would be.

After reading here I'm glad to see its right where I thought it was. I will try to remove it tomorrow, then all the new parts will get put in and all bolted back up.

I know that I must add some specific oil to the compressor before I bolt it in. My big question is once everything is installed and bolted back up properly, can I recharge the system myself or is it better to bring somewhere (Firestone maybe) to have the system evacuated and recharged? I dont see any debris in any of the tubes, and if the orifice valve looks good then things should be ok I think.

Thanks for any info anyone can post :)

Compressor [01]
Evaporator 3
Condenser 1
Accumulator 3.5
Complete System 8
Oil Type Polyalkaline Glycol (PAG)
[01] Drain oil from old compressor and measure, then drain new compressor. If more than one ounce is drained from old compressor, add same amount to new compressor. If less than one ounce is drained from compressor, add two ounces.

I believe it is PAG 100 weight oil.

You'll need an A/C manifold, a vacuum pump, a can tap, and 3 cans of refrigerant. Check under the hood to see exactly how much refrigerant you'll actually need, as I'm assuming you have the exact same system as my 95 lesabre. If you really want to try it yourself, get the book called "Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning Manual" printed by haynes, book #10425. The vacuum pump you can rent from Autozone, the manifold will run you $50 to $100 and 134a is about $15 a can. You can't really mess much up at this point, just DON'T run the compressor without the oil and refrigerant charge in the system. Disconnect the clutch pigtail until you plan on charging the system. First, I would get the book.:)

Thanks for replying ChemMan. I have all the new parts in now and it works great, except I have not had the sysytem charged yet.

The oil I needed to add was PAG 150. Yes it was 8 oz, and according to the instructions 1/2 went into the compressor (which is a new rebuilt unit), and half into the accumulator or return of the system.

The orifice tube was right up front which made replacement easy. I will most likly have someplace evacuate and charge the system, as the cost to do that appears to be the same as the cost of me doing it (from reading your comments).

I will look into the book and manifold and vacuum rental to see what the actual total comes to. I already have the refridgerant so thats a plus.