How to Change an AC Compressor on a Lumina
- 1
Coolant Reservoir
Remove the engine's coolant reservoir. Use a 10mm socket to remove the bolt on the fender's support bracket and the nut on the strut mount base. Lift the coolant reservoir up and out after you pull off the small hose at the bottom. Use pliers to work the clip on the hose to remove. It is not necessary to remove the radiator hoses from the water pump housing. - 2
Drive Belt on AC Compressor
Use the 3/8-inch drive or a breaker bar to loosen the slack on the drive belt. There is a square notch on the belt tensioner that the ratchet will fit. Pull up toward you to release the tension on the belt. Take the drive belt off the air conditioning compressor unit. - 3
Electric Fan near AC Compressor
Remove the right electric fan unit. Taking this unit out helps create more space to work. Use a 10 mm socket to take out the two upper bolts at the top of the unit. Remove the "dog-bone" support just over the unit using a 16 mm socket. Unplug the electric fan and pull the unit up out of the slots at the bottom and out of the way. - 4
The bolt holds the lines on compressor.
Use the 16 mm socket to remove the air conditioning lines. There may be remaining freon in the lines, loosen the bolt slowly to release the freon. Carefully, pull the lines free and secure them back out of the way using zip ties or tape. - 5). Use a 13 mm socket to remove the bolts holding the air compressor unit to the engine. After removing the bolts, the air compressor may stick, do not pound on it with a hammer. Pry it with a long screwdriver or tap at it with a rubber mallet. When the unit comes free, guide it out easily from underneath the car.
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