ok so my 2000 v6 has been making a clicking sound that is coming from the a/c compressor. i took it to my mechanic friend and he told me the bearings are going out and that i needed to replace the entire compressor. i went ahead and purchased a compressor in hopes that i could do it myself and save a little money. when i was reading the instructions that came with i read that i have to flush the entire system prior to installing the new compressor, and that i have to measure the air gap on the clutch. i dont have to equipment to flush and i dont have the tool to measure the air gap. does anyone know what i would use to measure that and is flushing the system absolutely necessary or can i go without doing that?

thanks

 

You have the recover the system before disconnecting any A/C lines. There's r-134a in there, and it'll instantly evaporate into the atomosphere when you disconnect a line. I believe that's also a $10,000 fine to do that, too.

I don't know what he means about measuring the air gap, though. I've replaced tons of compressors at work, and I never did that.

 

ya i have a feeling the air gap is already pre measured at the factory. thanks for the help.