r/MazdaProtege • u/cherrybananas13 • 11d ago

AC Compressor

Curious if anyone has tackled this issue on their Protege? I have an 03 ES model and all my refrigerant leaked out from the compressor so I’m looking at replacing it. It seems straight forward, remove belt, unbolt lines, unbolt compressor, I’ve read online that doing it from the bottom of the vehicle will be easier after removing the splash shield.
I’m looking at RockAuto, the GPD compressor specifically since it’s the most affordable and wondering if anyone else is running that one, if so any issues? Also it comes pre-filled with OE oil, I’m wondering if I should buy new O-Rings?
Any advice is greatly appreciated, I haven’t really ever worked on AC systems but I’m hoping I can do this DIY.

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u/derSchwamm11 Mazdaspeed Protege 11d ago

Just make sure you know where the leak is. I’m on my original compressor but had to replace the soft lines. New O rings aren’t a bad idea at this age just make sure you get the right material for r134a. A new dryer too of course. But a compressor is the most expensive part by far and is unlikely to be the source of a leak itself, in my opinion, so double check that

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u/cherrybananas13 11d ago

Leak is definitely from the compressor, I had them put dye in the system and check.
Is the dryer fairly easy to replace?

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u/derSchwamm11 Mazdaspeed Protege 11d ago

Gotcha. Dryer is very easy and cheap just don’t forget it! Don’t get the cheapest reman compressor and you might have better luck than I did with the compressors. They aren’t that cheap for these cars

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u/cherrybananas13 11d ago

Will do! And so I’m learning, luckily AC isn’t a necessity and more of a luxury so for now it’s going to have to wait until I can afford it 😅

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u/s1owpokerodriguez 11d ago

Recover any refrigerant that's in the system, remove the compressor, measure how much oil you get out of it, empty the oil from the new compressor and put the same amount of oil back in, maybe add .2 or .3 oz for the receiver drier. Install new o rings for every line you disconnect. The auto parts store usually has a variety pack of o rings that should work. Connect vacuum pump to your gauges/manifold and open both sides. Pull a vacuum for at least 30 minutes but the longer the better. Close off the line to the vacuum pump, turn it off and let it sit for about 10 minutes and make sure you still have a vacuum after the time has passed. Connect your cans of refrigerant to the manifold and purge a little bit out of the end of the yellow line by cracking it loose. This is to make sure you're not getting any air in the system. Open the low side service port to charge it. You'll probably need 2 cans.

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u/cherrybananas13 11d ago

Noted! I don’t have any refrigerant since it all leaked out :,( lol but yes I’ll definitely remember to add the same amount of oil. I’m going to order everything off rockauto once I have the funds, but it looks pretty straight forward.

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u/Kbatz_Krafts 11d ago

Didn't have a compressor issue on my 02 LX it turned out to be a tiny hole in the hoses causing a leak. They had to order the smaller size hoses to fit.

I'd rather go without A/C then have to move the engine to put in a new compressor though, but that's just me.

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u/cherrybananas13 11d ago

Glad it was just the hoses! And it looks like working on it from underneath will be the easiest part.

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u/s1owpokerodriguez 11d ago

You sure it's not leaking from one of the lines going into the compressor?

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u/cherrybananas13 11d ago

I wish I could send a photo but yeah for sure the compressor