Can anyone tell me if replacing the AC compressor on a Gen 3 (2012) Prius is a DIY job, and about how many hours it would take an average guy? I've searched but yet to find any HowTo to evaluate with. I would buy the factory service manual. The short version is, the AC quit and the dealer says it's the compressor and wants $3500 to replace it, which sounds insane. $1300 labor and the rest parts. I'm an engineer and very mechanical and can follow instructions, if I can find them. Has anyone done this job before and can you share your experience?
New compressor, condenser, dryer and txv? Typically all needed if compressor is bad. Also the high voltage variable speed compressor must have refrigerant weighed in using equipment that does not have any mineral oils. This channel may be helpful.
Apparently, replacing it is not that difficult. The problem is you must get the exact amount of freon and oil. The Prius AC is extemely fussy about getting the exact amount of freon. You could always replace it yourself and have Toyota evacuate and charge it. That would be a lot less money.
The mechanical part of the job is easy, but the challenge is extracting the refrigerant and oil, as well as putting the correct amount back in by weight because its a variable pressure system. Some people on here have swapped the compressor themselves then take it to shop with an expensive machine to fill it and fine tune it.
Thanks all, swapping it myself then having the shop fill it is definitely a possibility if swapping it isn't too bad. Is any sort of flushing required or would the dryer catch any parts? I'll check out the links above, thanks!
Yes it is flushed. Most of the time everything except the evap is changed especially if it is a burnout. Is that what the dealer quoted?
They quoted the compressor, dryer and condenser. The compressor is still running and the system cools a little bit, but I have no idea if any metal bits have escaped the compressor.
You can take your chances but the condenser is changed for a reason, not to jack up the price. It is microchannel and almost impossible to flush. If they don't change the txv they are probably removing it and cleaning the screen.
Thanks everyone for the replies. To close the loop on this; my wife wanted her car fixed asap, a local shop wanted $1k less than the dealer, the dealer came down $500 and met me in the middle and since the car was already there I told them fix it. A cool wife is a happy wife, and a happy wife is worth whatever I might have saved doing it myself.
