I am looking to replace the air conditioner compressor on my 1986 SE v6. It does not hold a charge and the ac shop I took it to said they compressor had a leak. I replaced the o rings on the ac lines and the compressor is the last thing to do. I believe it is the original one as I have had the car for 20 years myself. I also plan on replacing the drier. I see that direct replacement compressors are available but is there a more modern one that will fit w/o modification?
You can get an HR6 or DA6 from AutoZone that is a FourSeasons/Everco compressor, compatible with both R12 and R134a. They're avilable online or at the stores and no core charge. That includes the clutch and pulley. It would be best if you can save your old pressure switches. Many of us have had problems with the cooling fan running full time when the new style pressure switches were installed. Also, if you're converting or refilling with R134a, you should get a compressor cycle switch that goes in the receiver/dryer that is set for R134a. They're cheap and are already adjusted for the newer refrigerant.
Thanks for the info. I just got my car on the road after putting on 17 inch rims and new tires. Next I will be installing the big brake booster and waiting for Rodneys kit to arrive. Is there a particular part # for the compressor or just tell them my car info? It was converted to 134 about 19 years ago.
Just buy one specific to your application. And yeah... be sure to save your switches, as Mr. Fool indicated. The new switches are electrically different.
The DA6 was superseded by the HR6 prior to the 88 model year. They are generally physically identical, but the HR6 is designed to use R134. With that said, you still might find a DA6 compressor, somewhere. Make sure it's designed to handle R134. (I can't imagine there are any left that aren't, but I've been surprised before by stuff like this, before.)
Apparently there are some that aren't ready for R134a. Last year when I bought mine from AutoZone, I saw that some of them said they were compatible with both, so I am guessing the others were only for R12. IIRC, other vendors actually stated that theirs were for R12 but didn't specify R134a.
Also suggested to only get a brand new compressor. Like many I utilized a rebuilt....only to have it die after part of a summer. Annoying to redo everything a second time.
