Removed compressor... how bad did I screw up

[bowtie2bimmer]

The belt was broken on my ac compressor. I have been trying for two hours to replace it but with the benllt on it wouldn't go into place because the ac lines and oil cooler lines were all tangled up (looks like it had been removed before). I tried to remove oil cooler lines for rerouting but they are stuck in there. So I decided to remove the compressor. I assumed I would just get some refrigerant and refill once done. I expected just gas But then foam stuff started coming out... is this normal? Or did I jack it up?

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[uturn]

You've opened up a closed system and introduced moisture. Add a similar amount of oil(pag/ester - depending on whatfreon you're using) that you spilled, replace your receiver dryer and evacuate the system before you charge it back up. Use new o-rings.

[bowtie2bimmer]

Well I don't know what half that means...

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[SoEm0]

You have to create a vacuum in the system basically. Probably easier to get new seals and close it back up. Take it to a shop and have it filled.

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[bowtie2bimmer]

Well I gotta get to work in the morning so I just have the compressor on my work bench for now. How much do you think it will run to have a shop install compressor and seals/oil/receivee drier/etc

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[efficient]

Lol you should have left it alone or pay someone

[jalopi]

$100-150 to evacuate and charge

No shop will install a used/old compressor, so you better install that yourself. If not, they'll probably charge $300-500 for that.

Drier might still be OK since it hasn't been too long, but I'd replace it anyway. $150-250 from a shop.

O-rings are cheap and easy to do, just make sure you coat them in oil during the install (AC oil, not motor oil)

Basically, if you do it yourself, about $250ish

If shop, about $1k.

[McGyver]

yeah, you didn't fuck up much at all. I would suggest upgrading the system for 134a use instead of r12. (should be a DIY around here for that)

as said before, you'll need to replace the dryer because it will be full of moisture now and probably not work well anymore. once you have it all back together, take it to a shop so they can pump out all of the air (the moisture in the system will boil and get pumped out too). then have the shop fill it up.

basically, you just forced yourself to either have no AC, or a refreshed system. not bad!

[bowtie2bimmer]

Its already been converted so all good there. I bolted back up the compressor and rerouted the lines. I have an appointment for tomorrow to have it evacuated and filled. Per them, it should be fine without needing a new drier since it wasn't off for long. Its 75 for evac and fill. If I do need a drier they said and extra 75.so not awful

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[jalopi]

$75 installed for the drier is a pretty sweet deal, I'd spring for it. Keep in mind that if the drier doesn't work the first time, it's gonna be $75 for the drier and then $75 again for the evac and charge...

Also, you replaced the missing oil from the compressor, yes?

[bowtie2bimmer]

I told them what happened and thats what they said. I have done nothing other than bolt it back up

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[jalopi]

mmkay, I'd make sure it's got enough oil in it though, the pic you posted had a pretty good puddle on the ground. if the compressor grenades eeeeevvverything has to be replaced.

[jlevie]

It looks like the compressor has lost oil. So drain the remainder out and refill with the correct amount of fresh oil. If the charge will be with R134a, the old oil must be flushed out for the PAG oil. Do that by adding PAG oil, turning/upending, and rotating the compressor and drain. Repeat tow or three times before filling with fresh oil.