I tried a Google search, but all I got were places where I could buy one online, so I thought I’d try to ask the world’s smartest folks for an answer here.
I’ve got a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse (GS, 4 cylinder). Recently, the air compressor decided to up and commit suicide (taking the serpentine belt with it–another story altogether). I’ve had a few mechanic friends look at it, and their thoughts are the same – I need to get the compressor replaced.
They offered the option of replacing it with a simple pulley, but no air conditioning during the summer here is… simply not an option. Needless to say, the price of a brand new air compressor is very intimidating. We’re going to try going the used route, since outright fixing the car with new parts would be more expensive than the car itself is worth.
That said, it’s unlikely we’ll find an exact match for my make, model, and year car going this route. I’m wondering, then, if there are models whose air compressors would similarly fit into my car just fine? Perhaps, say, an air compressor from a surrounding year, or from a Galant, etc?
How would I go about finding which parts of my car can be swapped for equitable parts from similar cars?
You don’t say where you are, but you can pick up a remanufactured compressor with clutch for under $400.
If you’re looking to scrounge at a pick-your-part lot, or try your luck at the same compressor is used in some models of:
Chrysler
2001-2005 Sebring
Dodge
2002-2004 Colt
2001-2005 Stratus
Eagle
1998 Talon
Mitsubishi
2000-2004 Eclipse, 2000-2004 Lancer, 1997 - 2003 Galant, and 2000-2002 Mirage.
How to find this info? Look up parts for your vehicle at your favorite auto parts website, then hunt for a “This part also fits” or “Vehicles that use this” link.
[Nitpick]
The compressor in an air conditioning system isn’t properly called an air compressor, because it doesn’t compress air. Instead, it compresses the AC refrigerant (from which a fair amount of trouble is taken to exclude air).
[/Nitpick]
You don’t do it yourself, you let an expert in the field do it for you. Call a salvage and tell them what part you want, along with the year, make, model, and engine size of your car. They have interchange books for looking this stuff up, and can tell you if they can provide a suitable part.
And yes, it’s not an air compressor. It’s an air conditioning (or A/C) compressor.
Which is probably R134a. I thought the OP was talking about a supercharger until the third paragraph. :smack:
ETA: Like GaryT said, go to a salvage yard. They probably have a shelf with the compressors already taken out of the vehicles and ready for you to go pick up.
I’d suggest taking it to an indepenant shop specializing in AC. Quality rebuilt and new compressors are not terribly expensive as a rule. (assuming it is the typical A6 < Axial-6 cyl> design) and an independant shop can offer a much better deal than dealer pricing. Installing it requires a vacuum pump and thermocouple gauge at a minimum, and if the system still has any charge, recovery equipment is mandated by EPA regulations.
