99' Blazer AC R&R questions

[skooterbum]

hello again......

my 99' Blazer with the v6 4.3 needs the AC system repaired. my local shop determined the AC compressor is bad. they quoted me close to $1,000 for them to fix it for me. well that isn't going to happen any day soon !!!

so i want to do as much of the work that i can, and then take it to the shop to have them finish the job. i figure it will save me a few hundred anyways.

i am mechanically inclined, but i have little knowledge of the AC system, and how it works. I'm getting old enough now that a lot of things are difficult for me to do, but i refuse to pay the shop that kind of money.

so i want to know how to do this the right way. i found some re-man kits on ebay......

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110701346092?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p398 4.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/120891191888?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p398 4.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250966084206?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p398 4.m1438.l2649

is it safe to use any of these kits ??

could i get by with just replacing the AC compressor ?? or should i replace all that is shown in these kits ??

if i do one of the kits, is it a simple R&R ??

what do i need to watch out for / pay attention to when replacing the parts ??

if someone was willing to answer these questions, and help walk me through this, that would be great!!!!

thanks in advance.....

Ron

[gmtech1]

I have never used a reman compressor, so I can't tell you what to expect from one. However they are ALOT cheaper than a new one! Unless the compressor had a major failure, like it is very noisy or locked up, you don't need to replaced the accumulator. If it's just leaking you can by with just a compressor. With the cost of those kits though, go ahead and replace it. Be sure to follow the "oil balance" proceedure that should come with the compressor, this will assure you have the proper amount of oil in the system. The compressors on the blazers are pretty easy to replace, if there is freon in the system, if will need to be recovered before you start the repairs.

Good luck!

[Tech II]

If it's just the compressor that needs replacing, you can get one for under $300 and just add the right amount of oil, like GMtech1 said.....

Then you bring it to a shop to be evacuated and recharged....

Cost should be well under $500......

[skooterbum]

thanks guys !!

that's what i was hoping to hear. it makes it a little easier to deal with now....

i was ready to trade it in on another vehicle, if i was going to have to pay $1,000 to get the air going again.

this thing has around 125,000 miles on it, and it's starting to nickel and dime me to death.....

i just replaced the tires on it, then the compressor failed. i was dissapointed for sure.

oh, by the way, the shop told me the front and rear seals are bad on my compressor, and that they are not re-buildable.

i think i will get one of the kits on ebay. i think i saw one, that has a 12 month warranty on it.

[DeltaP]

You disappointed the tires wore out? The compressor doesnt have a rear seal. Maybe he was talking about something else. You might wanna check the warranty. Most suppliers won't honor the warranty if you dont replace the drier/accumulator.

[skooterbum]

Originally Posted by DeltaP

You disappointed the tires wore out? The compressor doesnt have a rear seal. Maybe he was talking about something else. You might wanna check the warranty. Most suppliers won't honor the warranty if you dont replace the drier/accumulator.

oh boy, I've been replacing a lot of things on this vehicle lately. besides the tires.

yea, I've seen where some suppliers require the drier to be replaced, and some demand that a certified mechanic do the work too.

sometimes there are ways to get around these things, if you know the right people.

the shop did tell me there were front and rear seals on my compressor, and that it couldn't be rebuilt. maybe they were just blowin smoke........

not to be talking down about the shop, but I've been starting to question there services.

they have failed to do there work right a couple of times lately, and i have had to finish it up for them.

I'm seriously considering going to another shop.

i live in boondocks Iowa, and there aren't very many places to get mechanical work done in my area. if i go 20 miles either way, then i have more choices, but that is a pain.....

[gmtech1]

I'm guessing that the "rear seal" they are refering to is the case seal towards the rear of the compressor.

[skooterbum]

Originally Posted by gmtech1

I'm guessing that the "rear seal" they are refering to is the case seal towards the rear of the compressor.

i'm sure your right Gmtech !!