Any DIY specific guide/tutorials for AC Compressor for B7 S4?

[jayden.world]

Hi everyone.

My AC is not working thus I figured the whole system is probably stopped as it is old enough.
I went to an auto repair shop and they tried recharging the gas after they found out the gas was empty (due to the previous owner pulling out the engine to do timing chain service).
However, no luck. So I figured the AC Compressor was probably done. Just wasted $100 + gas + trip time for nothing.


I'm not a mechanic nor have any experience in repairing car except some simple audio upgrades DIY and engine oil changes.
Thus I've decided to step forward and DIY to change the AC Compressor.

From my little own research, it seems like changing the AC Compressor would take many hours.

Does anyone have a specific tutorial/guide for AC Compressor DIY for B6/B7 S4 step by step for beginners like me?


My car is at 214k km (probably about 134k miles) and the car needs some jobs to be done beside AC Compressor replacement.
-Valve Cover Gaskets replacement
-Oil Check Valves replacement
-Y-Piece Radiator Hose replacement (passenger's side)


Should I consider pulling out the engine to work on it? (though I will need to buy an engine hoist)

Or should I work on the engine without pulling the engine?

From my own research, it seems like people have lifted the car up with a hoist
which made me think that I will probably need a hoist or pull the engine out but I don't have a hoist nor an engine hoist.

I am thinking of buying an engine hoist if it is really necessary.


Timing chain has been serviced by the previous owner (DIY) but he, unfortunately, put plastics instead of the RS4 metal ones
and I was thinking of changing it to RS4 tensioners maybe after 100k km from now on. I drive less than 10,000k km per year (6k miles)


If you think there are some other maintenance jobs I should do besides those listed above please let me know.

I will probably do everything DIY unless I really have to go to a shop.

I have basic tools (like 200pieces of sockets + wrenches set, torque wrench, bar breaker, etc) but no impact wrench (air guns)



Thank you for your help.

[Der Konig]

Hi everyone.

My AC is not working thus I figured the whole system is probably stopped as it is old enough.
I went to an auto repair shop and they tried recharging the gas after they found out the gas was empty (due to the previous owner pulling out the engine to do timing chain service).
However, no luck. So I figured the AC Compressor was probably done. Just wasted $100 + gas + trip time for nothing.


I'm not a mechanic nor have any experience in repairing car except some simple audio upgrades DIY and engine oil changes.
Thus I've decided to step forward and DIY to change the AC Compressor.

From my little own research, it seems like changing the AC Compressor would take many hours.

Does anyone have a specific tutorial/guide for AC Compressor DIY for B6/B7 S4 step by step for beginners like me?


My car is at 214k km (probably about 134k miles) and the car needs some jobs to be done beside AC Compressor replacement.
-Valve Cover Gaskets replacement
-Oil Check Valves replacement
-Y-Piece Radiator Hose replacement (passenger's side)


Should I consider pulling out the engine to work on it? (though I will need to buy an engine hoist)

Or should I work on the engine without pulling the engine?

From my own research, it seems like people have lifted the car up with a hoist
which made me think that I will probably need a hoist or pull the engine out but I don't have a hoist nor an engine hoist.

I am thinking of buying an engine hoist if it is really necessary.


Timing chain has been serviced by the previous owner (DIY) but he, unfortunately, put plastics instead of the RS4 metal ones
and I was thinking of changing it to RS4 tensioners maybe after 100k km from now on. I drive less than 10,000k km per year (6k miles)


If you think there are some other maintenance jobs I should do besides those listed above please let me know.

I will probably do everything DIY unless I really have to go to a shop.

I have basic tools (like 200pieces of sockets + wrenches set, torque wrench, bar breaker, etc) but no impact wrench (air guns)



Thank you for your help.

Just my 0.02, but I think if you took the lock carrier off you could do it pretty easily. Would be tight but you can see how open everything is then in the pic below. But here is the full DIY, for a B6 but same engine and lay out pretty much.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fxf...ew?usp=sharing

[BCsniper]

An A/C job is not a lot of fun and takes awhile but I wouldn’t ever think of pulling the motor just to put in another compressor. I actually just had a new A/C compressor arrive today. I believe it will be the 4th one I’ve done on my car in about 10 years. The last one lasted about 3 years. And I had one go bad within a few months.

Pull bumper, lights and everything associated with the front core support
Remove front sway bar brackets and driver motor mount & bracket
Remove/replace hard to get to compressor bolts with your new compressor.
Reassemble front core support.
Replace receiver/driver and new orifice tube

When you get it all back together do a vacuum check and charge with Freon

[jayden.world]

Just my 0.02, but I think if you took the lock carrier off you could do it pretty easily. Would be tight but you can see how open everything is then in the pic below. But here is the full DIY, for a B6 but same engine and lay out pretty much.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fxf...ew?usp=sharing

Thank you so much for your reply!

Do you mean I should not use lock carrier tools to put the vehicle in service mode ?
this https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...et/t10093~oev/

or do I need to take out the entire front radiator?
From the DIY you posted above, it seems like I can not use the lock carrier tools for service mode and need to remove the entire front radiator components



If I do not need to remove the engine and putting the vehicle in service mode will allow me to do all the jobs easily,
I will be more than happy though.




Thank you very much for your DIY pdf file.

[jayden.world]

An A/C job is not a lot of fun and takes awhile but I wouldn’t ever think of pulling the motor just to put in another compressor. I actually just had a new A/C compressor arrive today. I believe it will be the 4th one I’ve done on my car in about 10 years. The last one lasted about 3 years. And I had one go bad within a few months.

Pull bumper, lights and everything associated with the front core support
Remove front sway bar brackets and driver motor mount & bracket
Remove/replace hard to get to compressor bolts with your new compressor.
Reassemble front core support.
Replace receiver/driver and new orifice tube

When you get it all back together do a vacuum check and charge with Freon

Thank you very much for your easy to follow step by step instructions.

From the DIY PDF, I couldn't find how to change the receiver/dryer.
Is it straight forward to change the receiver?

Could you also let me know how to change serpentine belt, the passenger side motor mount and AC condenser as well?

Since I have to remove the motor mount, I must change all those components to make it effective and efficient.

Do I need to change the pulleys as well? or just serpentine belt would be sufficient?

I'm a total newbie to a car DIY stuff except some simple audio upgrades, so I m guaranteed to ask many questions and I apologize in ahead and also thank you.

And yes, I heard B6 B7 AC compressors die so easily thus I purchased AC compressor from FCP Euro because of the life time warranty.


Thank you for your help.

[Der Konig]

Happy to help. Lets see here.

I would just take the front off, thats up to you though. I always just pull it, especially with your system drained you dont have to worry about the a/c lines. When you go into service position, you are a few bolts and connections away from just peeling it back. BCsniper has a good short explanation of what to do.

It is straight forward, it looks like this

https://www.ebay.com/p/1517816592?ii...xoC8MsQAvD_BwE

I suggest paying the 19.95 for a year of alldatadiy.com for your car, it gives a factory manual like walk through for essentially everything. The condenser is also very straight forward, comes off the front of the radiator. Just take a look around at it and you will figure it out.

[Jdsb6s4]

An A/C job is not a lot of fun and takes awhile but I wouldn’t ever think of pulling the motor just to put in another compressor. I actually just had a new A/C compressor arrive today. I believe it will be the 4th one I’ve done on my car in about 10 years. The last one lasted about 3 years. And I had one go bad within a few months.

Pull bumper, lights and everything associated with the front core support
Remove front sway bar brackets and driver motor mount & bracket
Remove/replace hard to get to compressor bolts with your new compressor.
Reassemble front core support.
Replace receiver/driver and new orifice tube

When you get it all back together do a vacuum check and charge with Freon

Sounds pretty accurate to me... I also learned you if you have upgraded* headers (such as myself) its makes everything that much more "fun". Same goes with replacing a starter with headers

No plans for me to keeping my A/C, I removed the whole system. #unecessaryweight ;)

[jayden.world]

Sounds pretty accurate to me... I also learned you if you have headers (such as myself) its makes everything that much more "fun". Same goes with replacing a starter with headers

No plans for me to keeping my A/C, I removed the whole system. #unecessaryweight ;)

What do you mean by headers? (I'm new to these stuff as mentioned)
Aren't S4 V8 engines all the same?

[Der Konig]

Thank you so much for your reply!

Do you mean I should not use lock carrier tools to put the vehicle in service mode ?
this https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...et/t10093~oev/

or do I need to take out the entire front radiator?
From the DIY you posted above, it seems like I can not use the lock carrier tools for service mode and need to remove the entire front radiator components



If I do not need to remove the engine and putting the vehicle in service mode will allow me to do all the jobs easily,
I will be more than happy though.




Thank you very much for your DIY pdf file.

Thank you very much for your easy to follow step by step instructions.

From the DIY PDF, I couldn't find how to change the receiver/dryer.
Is it straight forward to change the receiver?

Could you also let me know how to change serpentine belt, the passenger side motor mount and AC condenser as well?

Since I have to remove the motor mount, I must change all those components to make it effective and efficient.

Do I need to change the pulleys as well? or just serpentine belt would be sufficient?

I'm a total newbie to a car DIY stuff except some simple audio upgrades, so I m guaranteed to ask many questions and I apologize in ahead and also thank you.

And yes, I heard B6 B7 AC compressors die so easily thus I purchased AC compressor from FCP Euro because of the life time warranty.


Thank you for your help.

What do you mean by headers? (I'm new to these stuff as mentioned)
Aren't S4 V8 engines all the same?

He means real headers, not a log manifold thing like we have. you can put long tubes on for more performance which take up more space.

[Zolli]

What do you mean by headers? (I'm new to these stuff as mentioned)
Aren't S4 V8 engines all the same?

Headers are “go fast” parts. They are bolt-on aftermarket exhaust heads that have far fewer restrictions than the OEM exhaust heads, so the engine gasses flow more freely and allows for more power. Plus, they are a work of tube-bending art. I want some, myself. They’re not the easiest thing to install on the B7 V8s because of the tight confines of the engine bay (more like an engine ziplock bag), and you have to remove the engine to install them. Jdsb6s4 knows a thing or two about going fast. Like FAST.

There’s some slight differences between the B6 (to 2005/June) and the B7 (after then) variants. Obviously B7s are more awesomer - make that the most awesomest - because that’s what I have. Anyway, kidding aside, yes; they’re basically the same.

I haven’t replaced the a/c compressor on my car yet, but I have done it on my old Tacoma pickup. It’s fairly straightforward, but you’ll want some key supplies for a/c service work: an assortment of metric o-rings specifically formulated for a/c systems (or buy OEM, never mind the outrageous cost, because they will work), the fancy a/c oil, the weird a/c spray cleaner stuff that smells like fake oranges (I forget the name, but all car parts box stores carry the stuff), and a really good high-velocity air nozzle for your air compressor (and get an air compressor if you don’t already have one) so you can dry out the pipe lines. You will want to replace your a/c line drier (the dessicant cylinder) at the same time, since it collects whatever moisture might be in your system and making it function badly, and it’s not a serviceable part. Wouldn’t hurt to get a new radiator, too.

If you’re like me, you’ll only want to do this once. Happy wrenching and learning

[QIKRNU]

Headers are exhaust pipes, not heads.

[Zolli]

Headers are exhaust pipes, not heads.

yes you’re right. Thanks

[BCsniper]

Thank you very much for your easy to follow step by step instructions.

From the DIY PDF, I couldn't find how to change the receiver/dryer.
Is it straight forward to change the receiver?

The receiver/drier is a small metal canister that is under your passenger headlight. Take the headlight off and you'll find it.

Could you also let me know how to change serpentine belt, the passenger side motor mount and AC condenser as well?

Since I have to remove the motor mount, I must change all those components to make it effective and efficient.

Once you have the radiator support off changing the belt is very simple and easy to reach. You can change the belt if its worn. I would not touch the passenger motor mount or bracket. I also wouldn't change the motor mounts unless your are bad. Really since you are removing the driver side motor mount then you need to support the motor some how. A spare jack with a block of wood underneath is enough to do. You also do not have to remove or replace the condenser. I've only ever had to swap it out once when it got full of metal when a compressor grenaded itself upon destruction, however that is not all that common.

and good luck on those lifetime warranties. I don't know any of the companies that make the compressors themselves giving more than a 12 month guarantee

[OlDirtyBroox]

I’ll be doing this same project in the upcoming months, any suggestion on best compressor to buy, rather not buy used but also would like to not spend $500. Good luck OP!

[Dondbg]

Sorry if I’m hijacking the thread but how do you know for sure you have a bad compressor or you are out of gas, my S4 B6 blow warm air and the ECON button always illuminated when turn the aircon ON.

We are in lock down due to corona shit so can’t go and charge the gas, thought to figure it out before I pull the engine to do the timing and if I need a compressor swap then it is the perfect time.