Just about finishing up this job myself. The video was extremely helpful and made the job pretty reasonable. I did the condensor replacement as well as flushing the system since my compressor oil was slurry. Just a couple suggestions for anyone reading: 1: If you have a flex head ratchet wrench it is very simple to access the compressor hose bolt from the fender well. Getting the compressor hoses on without all the pag oil draining out is another frustration altogether... 2: Just do what he did on the water pump. I tried it once without the painter's tape and it didn't work. Using the painter's tape it took one relatively easy try. Probably had it in within 20min including torqueing it down. 3: If you decide to clean all the gunk off the front of the engine with the water pump removed, do it before putting the AC compressor back on. 4: When removing the compressor, the top two bolts won't come completely out. Thats normal, just get them out of the block and pull all of it out together.
Great video! Really good to watch people who know what they are doing without taking off a load of parts that are not necessary to remove. Looked at my C5 AC compressor and figured the best way to remove and replace was to get that water pump gone. Thank You for confirming in your video.
Everyone makes it out like it is super hard... really wasn't that bad. Not sure why people are removing suspension parts to do it, that seems like it is more work than needed. Did mine over a year ago now, still works great. Good luck with yours.
Watching your video as I get closer to doing this job. Noticed you did not re-install the AC drive belt before the water pump, can this wait until after the WP? Thanks and Happy New Year! BTW, how many miles on your Vette when doing this job?
Excellent video!!! Thank you for you sharing, this really helps scardy cats like myself get out there and tackle the job I pondered paying a shop to do or putting it off and suffering without AC.
I'm about to tackle this job, and I have to say your video is super helpful. The music is nice and quiet, and your voiceover is very clear. I especially like you cutting in the parts diagrams showing the fasteners you're removing. So many videos just try to show you the fasteners in the camera shot, and with all the stuff in the way it can be hard to see them, especially when people can't really get the camera close to the fastener.
Also, my 2004 has a 2nd idler pulley on the A/C system, above the tensioner. The belt goes under that one-huge PITA to get it on all 4 pulleys and hold the tensioner at the same time.
Another thing: the foam thing by the accumulator broke on me upon removal, because there's a thin section (I glued it back together). If you remove the battery tray (4 bolts) it's a lot easier to access the wires that run through the cutout in the foam thing, and maneuver it out (and back in).
I just purchased a 2000 C5 and this is what I have to do to it next. Thanks for sharing this video I'm certain it will help me along my new compressor install.
Thank you, the install went well. The biggest issue I had was the 13mm bolt on the back of the compressor. I removed the line from the dryer and the evaporator by the radiator. Then I removed the wheel, this made it easy to get to the two bottom bolts on the compressor. With all the bolts out of the compressor, I was able to wiggle it to where I could get my wrench on the bolt. Still very little room, but it did come out two ratchet clicks at a time. It was a real pain but it did work.
I have this stubby ratchet that I got eons ago, probably use only once every few years, but it worked perfect for getting that bolt out. That whole job is not too bad if you take your time and don't get frustrated. A lot cheaper than taking it to a shop! Glad the video helped you.
If you back all 4 bolts out on the compressor, slide it towards the passenger and wedge a 1x piece of scrap wood behind it you'll be able to access that bolt much easier
Just want to add… the bolt on the rear of the compressor was really difficult for me to access and break. Even with a stubby I couldn’t get enough torque on it. I went under the car, rear approach. If you follow the exhaust manifold up, the bolt is looking right at you. Was able to get it easily with a long extension.
Do you need to add oil to the Dryer? I'm asking this because my compressor instructions indicate that you need to add an amount of oil on each new component (Condenser, Compressor, Dryer, evaporator) before installation. For example: For the Compressor 2oz or the same amount as the old compressor had, 2oz for the dryer if is replaced, for the condencer drain check and add 2oz if replaced.
No problems so far. I saw a lot of bad reviews on the ones listed on Amazon so I went to eBay. The company I used seemed to have a pretty good rep. Going into the second summer, still working good.
I didn't add any oil to the dryer, and since my new compressor was prefilled I didn't have to do anything. It's been a year and it is still working good.
How long did this take from beginning to end? I'm debating on whether or not to do it myself, and it seems like it could get frustrating, especially getting the water pump back on!
I couldn't say, with recording the process it took a lot longer than it should have. You could probably do it in a few hours if nothing goes wrong... but something always happens to slow you down. If it isn't an everyday driver and you have a garage, it won't matter if you have to drag it out over time. Good luck.
Lol I can see why other people wanna take out the suspension etc. you literally have to remove the water pump and spend money Onfluence and what not. I think this is the hardest way to do it because you have to take the damn water pump off nobody wants to do that
Just about finishing up this job myself. The video was extremely helpful and made the job pretty reasonable. I did the condensor replacement as well as flushing the system since my compressor oil was slurry. Just a couple suggestions for anyone reading:
1: If you have a flex head ratchet wrench it is very simple to access the compressor hose bolt from the fender well. Getting the compressor hoses on without all the pag oil draining out is another frustration altogether...
2: Just do what he did on the water pump. I tried it once without the painter's tape and it didn't work. Using the painter's tape it took one relatively easy try. Probably had it in within 20min including torqueing it down.
3: If you decide to clean all the gunk off the front of the engine with the water pump removed, do it before putting the AC compressor back on.
4: When removing the compressor, the top two bolts won't come completely out. Thats normal, just get them out of the block and pull all of it out together.
Great video! Really good to watch people who know what they are doing without taking off a load of parts that are not necessary to remove. Looked at my C5 AC compressor and figured the best way to remove and replace was to get that water pump gone. Thank You for confirming in your video.
Everyone makes it out like it is super hard... really wasn't that bad. Not sure why people are removing suspension parts to do it, that seems like it is more work than needed. Did mine over a year ago now, still works great. Good luck with yours.
Watching your video as I get closer to doing this job. Noticed you did not re-install the AC drive belt before the water pump, can this wait until after the WP? Thanks and Happy New Year! BTW, how many miles on your Vette when doing this job?
Excellent video!!! Thank you for you sharing, this really helps scardy cats like myself get out there and tackle the job I pondered paying a shop to do or putting it off and suffering without AC.
I'm about to tackle this job, and I have to say your video is super helpful. The music is nice and quiet, and your voiceover is very clear. I especially like you cutting in the parts diagrams showing the fasteners you're removing. So many videos just try to show you the fasteners in the camera shot, and with all the stuff in the way it can be hard to see them, especially when people can't really get the camera close to the fastener.
Also, my 2004 has a 2nd idler pulley on the A/C system, above the tensioner. The belt goes under that one-huge PITA to get it on all 4 pulleys and hold the tensioner at the same time.
Another thing: the foam thing by the accumulator broke on me upon removal, because there's a thin section (I glued it back together). If you remove the battery tray (4 bolts) it's a lot easier to access the wires that run through the cutout in the foam thing, and maneuver it out (and back in).
I just purchased a 2000 C5 and this is what I have to do to it next. Thanks for sharing this video I'm certain it will help me along my new compressor install.
Thank you, the install went well. The biggest issue I had was the 13mm bolt on the back of the compressor. I removed the line from the dryer and the evaporator by the radiator. Then I removed the wheel, this made it easy to get to the two bottom bolts on the compressor. With all the bolts out of the compressor, I was able to wiggle it to where I could get my wrench on the bolt. Still very little room, but it did come out two ratchet clicks at a time. It was a real pain but it did work.
I have this stubby ratchet that I got eons ago, probably use only once every few years, but it worked perfect for getting that bolt out. That whole job is not too bad if you take your time and don't get frustrated. A lot cheaper than taking it to a shop! Glad the video helped you.
If you back all 4 bolts out on the compressor, slide it towards the passenger and wedge a 1x piece of scrap wood behind it you'll be able to access that bolt much easier
Same issue here… that 13mm owned me for a while. Finally got it out.
Just want to add… the bolt on the rear of the compressor was really difficult for me to access and break. Even with a stubby I couldn’t get enough torque on it.
I went under the car, rear approach. If you follow the exhaust manifold up, the bolt is looking right at you. Was able to get it easily with a long extension.
I am new to your channel. Fantastic video. Thank you so much. I will be adding this to my project list.
Thanks for subscribing!
Great video, getting ready to do the same on my C5, Thanks
No need to remove water pump just thermostat housing and jack engine up 1 inch it will come out saves a ton of work
Great video. Just about to do mine.
Amazing! Thank you Sir!
Are there o-rings on the lines that go into the compressor, or just the washers that come with the compressor? Thanks.
Seriously professional.
Great video! One question, Did you put new gaskets on the water pump when you reinstalled it, or did you re use the old ones? Thanks.
Nice, informative high quality video!
Great video man
Do you need to add oil to the Dryer? I'm asking this because my compressor instructions indicate that you need to add an amount of oil on each new component (Condenser, Compressor, Dryer, evaporator) before installation. For example: For the Compressor 2oz or the same amount as the old compressor had, 2oz for the dryer if is replaced, for the condencer drain check and add 2oz if replaced.
It goes over that in the video. Mine came with oil in it but some do not. Please watch the video again, there is a part where I go over it.
Good video.
One of the best I have seen in a long time. Very well put together! Can you tell me if your pleased with the "Reman" you got from E-Bay?
No problems so far. I saw a lot of bad reviews on the ones listed on Amazon so I went to eBay. The company I used seemed to have a pretty good rep. Going into the second summer, still working good.
@@C3Stingray Thanks for the update. I'm ordering mine today
Did you add any oil in the dryer? Or did you just use the oil that the compressor was prefilled in ?
I didn't add any oil to the dryer, and since my new compressor was prefilled I didn't have to do anything. It's been a year and it is still working good.
How has the ac compressor held up?
Been two years and still works great. No problems.
How long did this take from beginning to end? I'm debating on whether or not to do it myself, and it seems like it could get frustrating, especially getting the water pump back on!
I couldn't say, with recording the process it took a lot longer than it should have. You could probably do it in a few hours if nothing goes wrong... but something always happens to slow you down. If it isn't an everyday driver and you have a garage, it won't matter if you have to drag it out over time. Good luck.
Great video just clean that engine bay it's filthy just spend one hour on it
Lol I can see why other people wanna take out the suspension etc. you literally have to remove the water pump and spend money Onfluence and what not. I think this is the hardest way to do it because you have to take the damn water pump off nobody wants to do that
I think it easier to do the water pump than the suspension. Anyway, this is the way GM says to do it. It really wasn't that bad.
not if your water pump is ready to be replaced. its a good do it while you're in there job