a/c compressor removal problem

indicaM3 · 04-09-2006, 01:15 PM

anybody ever seen a compressor bracket that mounts in the rear with two bolts holding a little plate around where the intake manifold connects to the head? the rear of these thwo little bolts is extremely difficult to get at, and my brother and i are stuck. any help? thanks. and again, we got the two 13mm bolts holding the bracket on the side closest to you (most rearward), but then the third place our bracket mounts is around the intake runner. So, if we end up not being able to get at that one (which it looks like may be the case), how can we get just the comp. itself off the bracket? i dont even see how that works...

Jim Sims · 04-09-2006, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by indicaM3
anybody ever seen a compressor bracket that mounts in the rear with two bolts holding a little plate around where the intake manifold connects to the head?

Yes, image and instructions coming. Stand by.
Year and model of car?

the rear of these thwo little bolts is extremely difficult to get at, and my brother and i are stuck. any help? thanks. and again, we got the two 13mm bolts holding the bracket on the side closest to you (most rearward), but then the third place our bracket mounts is around the intake runner. So, if we end up not being able to get at that one (which it looks like may be the case), how can we get just the comp. itself off the bracket? i dont even see how that works...

Jim Sims · 04-09-2006, 01:52 PM

From your description you appear to be working on a bracket such as the one shown below.

To remove the compressor one has remove the three screws (item 11) securing the sliding plate (item 16); one of these screws is behind the compressor (car front side) and points downward. In addition, you'll need to slacken the belt tension by loosening a nut (item 14). As you can see, the compressor is secured with four screws (item 17) from underneath the sliding plate. Is there any pressure in the system; if you are disconnecting A/C lines you need to have the system emptied of refrigerant. High pressure refrigerant can maim or blind you -wear safety goggles!

The strut (item 3) is difficult to remove from the console (item 2) with the engine in the car. There is also a strut (item 8) attached to a chain case mounting stud using a special stepped nut (item 10 - $24 from Porsche to replace).

porschenut · 04-09-2006, 03:24 PM

I recently removed all 3 bracket pieces (3, 13, 18) with the engine in place. It was a bit of a pain.

To get #18 off the two studs under the manifold, you need a U-joint adaptor for your socket. Even with that it takes some patience. I ended up taking 13 and 18 off as a unit (attached), which was very difficult due to the angle of the 3 studs holding the assembly in place. After I got it off, I realized there is a 8mm allen bolt attaching them together that is accessible from underneath the attachment point. I recommend trying to remove that bolt first and remove the pieces separately.

#3 in the picture was even more fun. I had to remove the muffler from the car, and then loosen the muffler mounting bracket bolts as far as they would come out so I would have enough room to remove the 2 bolts (17mm?) holding #3 in place.

Getting the compressor off the plate was easy. 3 long bolts right on top of the unit.

indicaM3 · 04-09-2006, 10:38 PM

finally got it with the u-joint socket. we yanked the comp, the radiator lookin thing siting on top of the engine (my little brother thinks his car is like a ferrari now cause you can see the engine through the grille-- sweet), all in one piece together with the bracket. we ended up just cutting the two rubber hoses going into the comp, next weekend i guess we'll lift the car and try to yank some more crap.

funny- fired it up and got half a block before it died. we forgot the two bolts holding the intake runner down so there was a fat air leak.