Looking at the rear of a Fiero A/C Compressor with the switch ports on top and the hose ports on the bottom, which port is the low(suction) side, left or right?

Nevermind. They are marked. "D" Discharge on left side and "S' Suction right side.

what happens if you have the hoses on the back of the compressor swap?

which hose is which?
big hose = suction or big hose = discharge
little hose = suction of little hose = discharge

thanks

Big hose = suction (cool, low-pressure vapor)
Small hose (w/muffler) = discharge (hot, high-pressure vapor)

quote Originally posted by Marvin McInnis: Big hose = suction (cool, low-pressure vapor) Small hose (w/muffler) = discharge (hot, high-pressure vapor)

thanks..

what happens if they are the other way?

I can't seem to get my belt on, the muffler (on hose) is hitting the backside coolant tube when trying to rotate the compressor ccw to get the belt one. I think I might have the hoses swapped.

thanks...

quote Originally posted by Tom Slick: what happens if they are the other way?

I don't think that's even possible with the compressor installed in the car, the hoses would be pointing at the engine cradle? Maybe if the compressor was mounted off 90 degrees? With the three mounting tabs on the front of the compressor, the middle one should be pointing roughly at the road.

quote I can't seem to get my belt on, the muffler (on hose) is hitting the backside coolant tube when trying to rotate the compressor ccw to get the belt one. I think I might have the hoses swapped. thanks...

Pics?

quote Originally posted by RWDPLZ: Pics?

Ok, not the best pics hard to get my phone up there.

I double check and I have the big hose on the S side as in the pic below shows


It's hard to tell from this angle but the muffler is touching the coolant tube.


I tried to get a better shot but it didn't come out so good.


Thanks for helping.

That looks correct. Here's the diagram for future reference:



I don't have any experience working on the V6 system, so I'm not sure about the interference issue. Hard to tell from the pictures, but that is a V6 hose assembly?

quote Originally posted by Tom Slick: what happens if they are the other way?

I don't think it's possible, due to the different hose sizes. If it were possible, permanent system damage would be the inevitable result.

quote I can't seem to get my belt on, the muffler (on hose) is hitting the backside coolant tube when trying to rotate the compressor ccw to get the belt one. I think I might have the hoses swapped.

Are you sure you have the right compressor for the Fiero? There are several variants of the DA6/HR6 compressor that are identical except for the clocking of the front and/or rear case ends.

[This message has been edited by Marvin McInnis (edited 07-21-2013).]

quote Originally posted by Marvin McInnis: Are you sure you have the right compressor for the Fiero? There are several variants of the DA6/HR6 compressor that are identical except for the clocking of the front and/or rear case ends.

No, I'm not sure about the compressor it came as parts for another Fiero I bought.
Well that just sucks! So I might need another compressor?
I think it would be okay once I'm able to get a belt on, I'm going to try a longer belt (17390) first. If that doesn't work I'll get another compressor. How do I recoup the freon?
I saw at wallyworld had a 30lb container of r134a, I couldn't justify getting that much.

Thanks guys!

Here is the proper clocking for a Fiero DA6/HR6, as viewed from behind. Notice the orientation of the ports, compared to the front mounting brackets.

quote Originally posted by Tom Slick: Well that just sucks! So I might need another compressor?

Not necessarily. If your compressor is just clocked wrong, it's possible to remove the through bolts that hold the whole compressor together and re-clock the rear header. You do have to be careful to keep things scrupulously clean, though.

quote Originally posted by Marvin McInnis: Not necessarily. If your compressor is just clocked wrong, it's possible to remove the through bolts that hold the whole compressor together and re-clock the rear header. You do have to be careful to keep things scrupulously clean, though.

how do you re-clock the compressor?
doesn't that rear bracket only allow the compressor to sit one-way?

quote Originally posted by RWDPLZ: I don't think that's even possible with the compressor installed in the car, the hoses would be pointing at the engine cradle? Maybe if the compressor was mounted off 90 degrees?

my hoses come straight out from the compressor.
sort of like in this photo

not like this

think this is for a 4cyl.

quote Originally posted by RWDPLZ: With the three mounting tabs on the front of the compressor, the middle one should be pointing roughly at the road.

so in the this pic, your say the middle tab should be pointing at the road if the top and bottom ones are attached to brackets.

to me it looks like the middle tab would be pointing in the back of the passenger.

i think once i get the belt on i'm okay, rotating the compressor cw to tighten the belt would get the a/c muffler off the coolant tube. it's just getting that damn belt on. maybe i need some new hoses?


thanks...

I found another problem the rear ac bracket is hitting the coolant tube.


I had to take off the rear ac bracket in order to rotate the compressor enough to get the belt on.
I don't remember having this hard of a time getting an ac belt on.

I now have working A/C...

thanks to all that help.

i hope i don't have to go thru this again for a while but i'll be ready just in case.

What was the solution to the interference issue? Glad to hear you got it figured out

quote Originally posted by RWDPLZ: What was the solution to the interference issue? Glad to hear you got it figured out

i had to take the rear ac bracket off that would allow the compressor to rotate enough to get the belt on then i put the bracket back on and tighten up the belt.