DIY for an a/c compressor and a dryer?

[h_curtis]

I can't find a DIY on this? I read that the Dryer is a real pain to replace and takes 3 hours. Hope I don't need to take the whole front clip off? Seems the compressor might be pretty easy though.

Anyone have pictures of the dryer replacement? Sorry I can't find anything on this yet.

Thanks for any help. Hoping to do this tonight.

If no DIY, maybe someone could just direct me in replacing the receiver drier and what is involved in that. The compressor seems easy enough. Yes, I have access to a machine for the a/c itself.

[h_curtis]

Maybe this is a job that no one has done themselves. I have searched all over the place. Can anyone at least tell me where the drier is located and how to remove it for replacement. I am just trying to get a handle on how long this job is going to take. Thanks.

[h_curtis]

Anyone? Someone has to know where the receiver drier is on these cars. Has to be someone that knows if you need to take the front clip off to remove it.

[Myst420]

The receiver drier is below the pass. side headlight, I think you can see it if you look from underneath. I don't know about removing them without taking the front apart. As for the condenser, its gonna be a bitch without taking the front apart, because there is a plastic cover over the mounting screws, and I don't know if you can get to them without the front being apart.

Here's a pretty good pic from a different DIY. You can see the drier in the photo.

[h_curtis]

Thanks Myst. Looks like a huge job. Not looking forward to it. Probably should have traded this car in, but I have the parts sitting here. Of course they were like $600+. Oh well, it is toast and I have no A/C. Doesn't seem like this is a common problem, but I was the lucky one. Only 88K on this car. Shouldn't have to replace a condenser.

[Myst420]

What are the symptoms?

and btw, I just tore my front apart for the first time last weekend, and can honestly tell you it isn't that bad. I could probably do it again in less than 30 minutes now that I know what I'm doing. Here is a writeup that should be pretty helpful.

[h_curtis]

What are the symptoms?

and btw, I just tore my front apart for the first time last weekend, and can honestly tell you it isn't that bad. I could probably do it again in less than 30 minutes now that I know what I'm doing. Here is a writeup that should be pretty helpful.

Thanks for the clip removal. The system was tested by my mechanic who is a good friend of mine. We changed out things and did all the easy stuff like replace the restrictor valve, but the readings indicated a compressor problem. No much else it can be at this point, so it is time to replace.

[Myst420]

you may want to have someone with a VAG-COM look at it. When I had a/c issues, my mechanic replaced the compressor, and it still didn't work. He took it to another shop (a euro guy he knew) and it turned out to be the high pressure switch. He put back my old compressor and it was still good.

What exactly does your a/c do? does the econ light come on?

[h_curtis]

you may want to have someone with a VAG-COM look at it. When I had a/c issues, my mechanic replaced the compressor, and it still didn't work. He took it to another shop (a euro guy he knew) and it turned out to be the high pressure switch. He put back my old compressor and it was still good.

What exactly does your a/c do? does the econ light come on?

The system is charged correctly and no Economy light is on. The fan blows fine and the system responds, but the air being blowed is warm and humid. The a/c has a Low = 80 High = 110 reading from my friends A/C machine which is working well.

What high pressure switch?

[Myst420]

Well, my econ light was coming on, but the switch is on the passenger side of the radiator

[h_curtis]

Well, my econ light was coming on, but the switch is on the passenger side of the radiator

Okay, I have read about that and it didn't fit this situation, or at least I don't think it does. I don't think these compressors go very often which makes me think I am doing this for nothing, but I guess we will find out.

Thanks for all your help.

[h_curtis]

Followup. This job was very easy and straight forward.

Empty a/c system with approved machine.

1. Use 17cm open end to loosen tensioner on the belt so you can get the belt off the compressor.
2. Take the protective cover off the underside of the car.
3. Remove and replace compressor from the bottom.
4. Remove front passenger side headlight.
5. Remove and replace drier.
6. Recharge and enjoy cold air again!

Total time on this job was less than 2 hours.

[7speed]

Damn I just saw this thread. If I had seen it earlier I would have told you what posted above.

[h_curtis]

Damn I just saw this thread. If I had seen it earlier I would have told you what posted above.

Too late. No one on this forum knows how to handle that drier and compressor job. It is a bit advanced and I figured I better post it so people can learn something. I am a bit surprised how few people know about these cars and own them. Best I post more often to enlighten the newbies to cars in general.

[7speed]

You would be surprised. For the most part there are only about I say 10% of on here that are actual hard core DIY'ers.

[doublezero30]

Thanks Myst. Looks like a huge job. Not looking forward to it. Probably should have traded this car in, but I have the parts sitting here. Of course they were like $600+. Oh well, it is toast and I have no A/C. Doesn't seem like this is a common problem, but I was the lucky one. Only 88K on this car. Shouldn't have to replace a condenser.

its easy as hell as long as you have the right parts. hopefully you didnt order from discountacparts.com...i had a NIGHTMARE with them. 2 months later, a/c is still not fixed because of their incompatence. technically you should replace the reciever dryer, orfice tube, compressor, and condensor all at once to avoid any possible future issues. my condensor is brand new 6 months ago so im not going to replace that. i just need to find a decently priced compressor for the 04-05 model.

[Myst420]

That's awesome. Glad you were able to get everything going. I'd work on my own a/c, but I don't have any of the needed equipment to drain/vacuum the system...

[dougyfresh]

Too late. No one on this forum knows how to handle that drier and compressor job. It is a bit advanced and I figured I better post it so people can learn something. I am a bit surprised how few people know about these cars and own them. Best I post more often to enlighten the newbies to cars in general.

First, glad you figured it out. I didn't see this thread the other day and also haven't been reading AZ much.

Second, there are plenty of threads that talk about this topic and address the facts to swap out a compressor, drier and even the evaporator/receiver. There may not be a step-by-step DIY but from reading your posts you don't really need that as you are technically competent to give it a shot and succeed. Here is one thread: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-weekend/page2

Guess I'm kind of hung up on your comment "no one on this forum knows how to handle". Just because a thorough search was not conducted on your behalf and no one replied to your thread you assume no one knows anything? That is just un-true.