Thread: D4 A/C Compressor issue

Originally Posted by ATH

He didn't. He got a company in E.Perth to do it and they were/are good at what they do apparently. I'm searching for the invoice now.....
AlanH.

That'll be Autocool on Lord St.
I had them re-seal a compressor of mine about 8 years ago also. They're my go-to for parts and advice. Last time I wanted a compressor (for a different make) I was pleasantly floored at how "economical" it was for a genuine Sanden.

Turns out PAG just isn't that good a lubricant, and compressors "aren't made like they were", so I don't bother with seals or valves anymore. Just put a new one in before it grinds itself to dust and contaminates the whole system.

*update see later post LR020449 is for l322 not l320 despite same motor...

I contacted 2 Sanden resellers in australia, and they said the part number Sanden 8649E LR020449 (3.6L V8) is not in the country at all. So I order one from uk company online with a dryer too.

Local Natrad AC guy has no time to fit it, but says he can take the gas out and ok for me to drive it home, fit it all and bring it back for regas, which ill consider.

he said he'd usually do a TX valve depending on access, but ours seems to be behind the instrument cluster, so ill pass. I believe this is what lr call "Thermostatic Expansion Valve"

$814 aud inc DHL shipping

Originally Posted by haydent

I contacted 2 Sanden resellers in australia, and they said the part number Sanden 8649E LR020449 (3.6L V8) is not in the country at all. So I order one from uk company online with a dryer too.

Local Natrad AC guy has no time to fit it, but says he can take the gas out and ok for me to drive it home, fit it all and bring it back for regas, which ill consider.

he said he'd usually do a TX valve depending on access, but ours seems to be behind the instrument cluster, so ill pass. I believe this is what lr call "Thermostatic Expansion Valve"

$814 aud inc DHL shipping

Get a new condenser too. That’ll be easy enough to find locally. You should really flush the lines and evap core too else gunk might cause the new one to fail.

Also, you’ll need to get the oil quantity correct. Do you have rear AC? If so, you need to account for that as well.

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

Get a new condenser too. That’ll be easy enough to find locally. You should really flush the lines and evap core too else gunk might cause the new one to fail.

Also, you’ll need to get the oil quantity correct. Do you have rear AC? If so, you need to account for that as well.

no rear ac, yeah ive read the amount of oil in the new pump is not necessarily enough. ill ask to get a flush done after gas removal.

replace condenser though ? why ? (thats the radiator on the front.)

Originally Posted by haydent

no rear ac, yeah ive read the amount of oil in the new pump is not necessarily enough. ill ask to get a flush done after gas removal.

replace condenser though ? why ? (thats the radiator on the front.)

You can’t effectively flush them so it’s always a good idea to replace it. Pretty cheap insurance. Yes, the front.

Originally Posted by haydent

no rear ac, yeah ive read the amount of oil in the new pump is not necessarily enough. ill ask to get a flush done after gas removal.

replace condenser though ? why ? (thats the radiator on the front.)

Parallel flow condensers have tiny passages and are almost impossible to flush adequately. The condenser is first cab off the rank past the compressor so as the compressor slowly grinds itself away a lot of the aluminium grunge gets caught in the condenser. If the condenser isn't replaced it can find its way back into the system and cause premature wear on the new compressor.

not sure if should cancel order and change it, would cost an extra $350 aud to get a condensor LR097939 , so not cheap insurance but still a benefit

Originally Posted by haydent

not sure if should cancel order and change it, would cost an extra $350 aud to get a condensor LR097939 , so not cheap insurance but still a benefit

Not "cheap insurance", but if it prevents you from having to do another compressor then it's not particularly expensive in the scheme of things.