2013-2018 Nissan Altima A/C Compressor & Condenser Replacment (Full A/C Service) [2.5L QR25DE]

What's up everybody!
This is a DIY how-to on replacing the A/C compressor & condenser/performing full A/C service on a 2013-2018 5th gen. Nissan Altima 2.5L 4 cylinder. Torque Specs included.
Yes, I know its long, just wanted to be as thorough as possible while trying to leave no questions unanswered.
*DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a Master Tech, just a long time wrencher.
Get your 5th Gen. Altima safely on jackstands:
• 2013-2018 Nissan Altim...
5th Gen. Atlima Belt Replacement:
• 2013-2018 Nissan Altim...
Car Wizard video referenced in video:
• AC not working!!! The ...
Other helpful Car Wizard A/C video:
• Your AC died, now what...
Car in video is a 2014 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL.

[@armandosolis8148]

You saved me doing this video, especially how detailed and in depth you are on what you’re doing and why. I truly appreciate your service to us KZbin mechanics brother thank you!

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Thanks man! I truly appreciate your comment! 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@briananderson7497]

BC, I'm 30 min in but needing to get to bed. I'll finish tomorrow most likely. I don't have any A/C issues on my Altima, but wanted to learn about it all and I knew I'd learn the max from your video. I replaced my nieces crankshaft position sensor today on her Hyundai Elantra. I found what I needed after watching a few videos, but even then, I struggled with a couple hiccups. It really makes me appreciate all the amazing video content you've created for the Altima. I"ve learned so much from you and have grown so much more as a mechanic. Part of me wants to wait to buy a new car until after you get a new car and start making some videos on them. (new used car, I don't buy dealership new cars) Thank you for all your hard work and great explanations. If there is a better mechanic youtuber out there, I've never seen them. You are easily the best in the business as far as I'm concerned. No lies.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Thank you so much for the comment! I truly appreciate it!! The Altima is actually my girlfriend’s car, she bought it brand new in 2014….and I’ve been maintaining it since day 1. Currently has 240K. Looking to get her a new vehicle by the end of the year, just to get into something newer/nicer. 99% its going to be 2nd. gen 2021+ Acura TLX, probably a low-mileage sub 30k pre-owned.

[@imaletyouknow3716]

Your content is up there with ChrisFix and others. You are very underrated. Best tutorial on doing a tough tough job in depths ive ever seen. Bravo 👏

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

I truly appreciate the comment! Thank you 🙏

[@briananderson7497]

I've never seen a better youtube mechanic. Quality video, quality editting, quality explanation and tutorial. I'm sad when I work on cars BC doesn't cover.

[@joelalvarez445]

My goodness this is the best tutorial video I have seen in a long time with running into hiccups and detail wow man good job.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Thank you so much man! I appreciate your comment!

[@joelalvarez445]

Hey brotha just did the full job yesterday your video helped out a lot I was lucky that I didn’t run into the same problem with the condenser mine was GPD tho not UAC. My compressor came the same way barely any oil as well. Anyways job successful thanks to your video.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

@@joelalvarez445 awesome man! Glad to hear 🙏

[@RichardWebprods]

July 25. 2023. Great job. Thank you so much for helping me to do it by myself. Best wishes for you.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Thank you for the comment 🙏🙏

[@chrisclinton3325]

I think you so much for the great details and how you take your time to explain with great detail. Man, thank you. Best detail video I have seen.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Thank you! I appreciate your comment 🙏🙏

[@imhooks]

That engine bay looks like a brand new vehicle.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Haha I appreciate it that is the goal lol

[@drel9765]

Thanks for this incredibly clear and informative video!

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

I appreciate the comment 👍👍👍

[@iassessyou3285]

I have this exact 2014 nissan altima down to the color. I know about fixing cars outside of changing my own air and cabin filters. Just wanted to give you big thanks for making videos maintaining this exact vehicle. I use them to forecast my own altima. So I know what i can and should expect from a garage i take it to. Appreciate you effort and your content.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

I appreciate your comment! Thank you 🙏

[@fernandodelagarza7306]

Did the same exact job following along this video, thanks man, felt like I was doing it in a hands on class room setting 😁🤙🏼

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Great to hear man, appreciate the comment!!

[@joestariha9699]

I'm about to tackle A/C Compressor and condenser on a 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5V6 Your tutorial even though its a gen 5 Altima, has helped me understand my process much better than any video I've seen. Thank you for being clear and in depth as you were. It has helped me greatly.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Awesome man! Glad to hear. There are definitely a lot of similarities between the 4th & 5th gen.

[@eddyolexy7046]

Great video! It was very informative and really liked the detail. Much appreciated.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Thank you! Appreciate your comment 🙏

[@GeneB-ok1pd]

A really great 👍 job. Your video is one of the best I've ever seen on doing a repair. Very detailed and informative. Thank you.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Thank you! I definitely appreciate your comment 🙏

[@thecuss6817]

I had the compressor on my 2004 Frontier seize in 2018 while on vacation; this uses separate belts so I could still drive on, was only 103F at 10am at the time (Arizona). Once I got home, I replaced the compressor, condenser (parallel flow condensers cannot be flushed well), and drier, and - unlike you - I reverse flushed the high pressure line with solvent and dried that. Obviously, this truck does not have transverse engine like the Altima, so is somewhat easier access, but the front trim parts did need to come off.

[@davidv775]

I just subscribed bro Thankyou for all your details. A+ brother

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

I truly appreciate it! Thanks bro 🙏

[@Pryda-Z]

Great video, but the vacuum step needs to be included. I wanted to see how you dealt with the refrigerant removal process.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Its not included because in my opinion it should be professionally done with a refrigerant recovery machine. It should be evacuated, and then a vacuum should be pulled & correctly filled to correct lbs. with the A/c recovery machine. I did note this in the end of the video. IMO people really should not be trying to fill this themselves with Walmart cans, especially with no A/C experience. Should be professionally charged. And even if I did include the removal/charging, no DIY’er watching this is going to have a $2k+ recovery machine. So thats why I suggest it should be charged correctly with professional equipment & it wasn’t displayed in the video.

[@mst3kpimp]

very helpful video. i cant believe that uac compressor had no oil, i have one on the way from rock auto supposedly prefilled and i prob would not have checked if not for this video!

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Appreciate the comment! Good luck with the job 👍👍

[@InfamousKiddXD]

Thanks for this video I’m working on both thermostats right now I noticed the second one did not have a gasket or seal and the seal the thermostat comes with is not the right size Does that matter ? It didn’t have one when I took the second thermostat off. Also I put all the bolts back in and it was leaking so I had to take it apart again 😅

[@moizrajput5004]

Thank you sir great video thank you for teaching🙏🙏thank you for taking time making video much appreciated

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Appreciate your comment! 🙏

[@TjEdwards-e9b]

Very informative video. I'm inspired to do this job myself. Thank you kindly sir.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Awesome to hear, appreciate your comment!

[@theleader5001]

Thank you so much for the video, its really helpful and enjoyable. I'm hesitant to buy the same ac compressor kit from rock auto because i don't know if the ac compressor and condenser a good quality. Can you tell me how's the overall quality? Can it last for the next 5 years after installation ? Thanks a lot

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Appreciate the comment. But thats an extremely subjective question nobody can give you a direct answer too. Parts are made more cheaply than ever, regardless of brand…so definitely something to keep in mind. However this kit seems pretty good IMO and still going strong.

[@katkiller1313]

thanx so much for your content it's been a huge help! did u by any chance make a video on how to evacuate the refrigerant?

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Appreciate the comment. But no I don’t, i have a friend who has a shop-refrigerate machine as I mentioned in the video, he evacuated it for me. I would suggest having it evacuated by a machine to have it done correctly.

[@thecuss6817]

The evacuation is easy. Adding the correct amount of ounces of R134a is tricky without the expensive machine.

[@carljenkins5092]

I sat and watched the entire video. You were very thorough and we appreciate it but just out of curiosity since anybody can buy R1 34A without having a license can you just vent the refrigerant? I was just wondering. I would probably try a used compressor before buying all those other parts. Great video. Thanks for posting it.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

I mean you could, but its illegal lol.

[@thecuss6817]

One can buy R134a in USA without a license, Walmart, parts stores, etc. Just make sure to use pure R134a WITHOUT any sealers or sealer chemicals. NEVER add any sealers !!! UV dye is fine. Venting refrigerant to atmosphere is illegal.

[@beloszn1656]

Yo bro I have a 2018 Nissan Altima 4 cylinder s model compressor and the compressor valve is no where to be seen. I’m so confused.

[@michelledriskell9115]

But my belts,clutch is going…so what to do 🤷🏻‍♀️I need the clutch to engage and disengage

[@kristenstillstanding7084]

Where are you located? My AC not working blowing out hot heat. 2014 Nissan Altima SV I need help

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Probably just needs to be recharged. You just need to take it to a reputable shop that deals with a/c and have them recharge the system for you.

[@scottvincent4777]

How different is this procedure on a 3.5SL?? I've been trying to find a video on mine...but there doesn't seem to be any.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Its going to have a lot of a similarities, like the lines should be all but the same, the connection fittings the same torque specs, etc. the difference is its going to be tighter, belt routing is different, and the compressor is probably going to be a bit harder to get too. But definitely a lot in the video is still applicable to the 3.5L.

[@cryptoking_13]

Hi, just curious why did you drain the oil? I was looking at a UAC compressor for my 2013 altima on rockauto and the description states it comes with oil. Also, is the compressor still running? It difficlt to find reviews for the UAC brand compressor on my car.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Your oil question is covered multiple times in depth in the video. You can start it @50:30, or @52:30, etc. and its all covered as to why and why it needs to be checked & done. And as of now its all still good..going strong!

[@cryptoking_13]

@@TheOriginalBeeCee awesome. Thanks! Was worried about the brand having issues. How long did it take you to swap everything out?

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Allllllll day. But it’s kind of hard to go off my time because it probably took me double as long….if not more, recording everything and making sure I got everything.

[@cryptoking_13]

I'll be doing this tomorrow, with the same kit. Did yours come with an expansion block? Did you change it off camera? Thanks for the vid!

[@winniewang9152]

I just found your video, you did great jobs so quickly I add you to subscription. I have questions: my friend just helped me to change ac compressors, and put the 134a.I driving around half hour later, the ac blow hot wind, when I stopped 10 mins cold again, but another 10 mins hot wind happened again. Please would you tell me why? Or I need to change condenser? Need help please🙏🙏🙏

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Do you know how he added the r134a? Was it with cans or a AC machine?

[@winniewang9152]

@@TheOriginalBeeCee he added a can 134a

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

@@winniewang9152 i would have the freon pulled, pull a good vacuum on it, and refilled with a properly gauged A/C machine or setup. Those cans usually do more harm than good. Not to say they can’t work, but most just add them without any gauge of what amount they should be adding. I touched base on this in the video, its extremely important to get the exact amount of freon in the system. In fact, if there is more freon in the system than there should be, its actually worse than there not being enough. It can drastically affect temperatures and output. Take it to a shop or someone who has the correct machine/tool to fill the freon to the exact 1.16lbs.

[@winniewang9152]

@@TheOriginalBeeCee Thank you so much for your wonderful video and the information. After I did go to the dealer shop. You were right that the machine took working good. And I learned that it has some air inside so a can 134a 1.35 lbs won’t work especially when we change new ac compressor. Thank you so much again!

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

@@winniewang9152 nice! Glad you got it resolved. I figured that would be it 👍

[@grant242]

Man I wish this was the same for a maxima😭 They make it so difficult for no reason

[@alejandrorenteria9647]

Disculpen q es el líquido q le ponen al condensador???

[@desertcamel3573]

excellent video wow

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Appreciate it 🙏

[@desertcamel3573]

how much you saved doing the AC install your self?

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Hard to say, kind of a subjective question depending on who and where would be doing the job. But im sure around the $1000 ballpark at least for a job with as much labor/work as this.

[@carljenkins5092]

You probably saved a fortune that job was undoubtedly a pain in the neck.

[@thraxkorlione]

My ac only blows cold when i start actually driving the car and its moving. Would i need to replace all this as well? 2017 4cl altima sr. Thanks for any help in advanced

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Hard to say, you need to have it properly diagnosed. I would have started with a recharge. The system really does need to be recharged first, to have an accurate starting point to diagnose if there is any issues. I would say a good percentage of the time, the system just needs a recharge when it starts to get warmer. But you have to recharge first too see if you have another underlying issue from there.

[@thecuss6817]

Check to make sure that your condenser/radiator fans are all operating.

[@michaelcook2271]

Will this video will work for a 2016 Nissan maxima

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

It is not the same. Will be some similarities, but definitely differences as well.

[@deecami626]

U the man bro 💪

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

🙏🙏🙏 appreciate it man!

[@coy1987]

I need to know what a specific part is that can be seen in your video but how can I provide my screenshot to show you?

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

You can shoot me a DM on IG…. @ (underscore)beecee(underscore). I cant actually put the underscore’s cause it italicizes the letters lol

[@knight-ue6tf]

Are you sure a c clutch didn't lock verse the ac conditioner locking up can you explain the difference

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

I’m assuming you mean ‘compressor’ and not “conditioner”…but its the same thing. The a/c clutch is part of the compressor. So it someone says the a/c clutch locked up, or the a/c compressor locked up, it’s the same issue being referred too.

[@jasonsparrow4981]

You can have a bad clutch, and a bad compressor. They are different parts. The clutch allows the compressor to be turned off with the belt still attached. The compressor could lock up internally. Or the clutch can lock up or loose ability to lock up. Clutches can be replaced separately but usually compressors are replaced with a clutch on it.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

@@jasonsparrow4981 you are definitely right! Your answer was more explanatory than mine lol. I was referring to when someone says the compressor is “locked up” its really all the same issue at the end of the day….most just replace the whole compressor with the price of compressors today. most aren’t replacing clutches separately anymore, most just buy a whole compressor.

[@Lrndthehardway]

Sooo, no need to remove that brace etc huh

[@amberhernandez9734]

Do you have to decompress or empty the fluid before you start?

[@robsp32]

If the system is still charged, you have to vent the system using manifold gauges. If the system is fully charged those hoses will be under about 80psi of pressure. It's gas, not liquid.

[@frankradcliff660]

No no need to evacuate any lines that may be under pressure. 😊

[@usualsuspcts]

Is it same procedure for the 3.5?

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

No, but there will be some similarities.

[@MrRaze58th]

What if I forgot to put the oil in the new condenser? 🤦🏻‍♂️ will it get messed up ???

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

You definitely want the correct amount of oil in the system, can definitely get damaged if not.

[@MrRaze58th]

@@TheOriginalBeeCee how can I do that ? Basically take it apart again and add it ? Or can I just add it by unscrewing the connectors

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

@@MrRaze58th i would suggest doing it how I outlined in the video…but you can probably do it without taking everything apart & and just disconnecting hose connections.

[@FirstnameLastname-vi7hm]

Mine blows cold air sometimes and hot air. I got the ac recharged and it didn’t fix it 😢. $226 down the drain. My compressor isn’t making any noises or anything. I feel like they charged me to do nothinf

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Well, you started in the right place….I would have started with a recharge. The system really does need to be recharged first, to have an accurate starting point to diagnose if there is any issues. I would say a good percentage of the time, the system just needs a recharge when it starts to get warmer. But you have to recharge first too see if you have another underlying issue from there. I would go back and tell them the recharge didn’t resolve the issue, and ask if they used refrigerant with UV dye. Because if they did, they can easily check the connections and start with seeing if the system has any leaks. From there, they should be able to diagnose the issue if they’re a reputable AC shop. If I had to guess…i would say it might be the expansion valve, but it really needs to be evaluated to make that determination, because it could also be the compressor, etc.

[@FirstnameLastname-vi7hm]

@@TheOriginalBeeCee that’s exactly what I told them I think it is(expansion valve) when they explained how everything works. He immediately dismissed that. I’m going to have another mechanic look because Meineke doesn’t have a good reputation. Something is just unsettling and I don’t think they even tried to look. They just want to charge me $1600 for a compressor. I will get back with you but I will ask if there weee any leaks.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

@@FirstnameLastname-vi7hm i hear that! If you didn’t feel good about it, I definitely wouldn’t return. Just make sure you take it somewhere who regularly deals with AC and/or has a good reputation surrounding AC work. But definitely let me know how it goes & what it ends up being!

[@FirstnameLastname-vi7hm]

@@TheOriginalBeeCee Thank you! I sure will

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

@@FirstnameLastname-vi7hm 🙏🙏

[@elmeradams8781]

You have a nice video on how to take stuff apart and put together, but you are super wrong on AC repair procedures.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Elaborate Elmer Fudd..

[@elmeradams8781]

@TheOriginalBeeCee I'm a mechanic in Phoenix. I know AC lol. You always have to flush the entire system, replace the dryer (yours is in the condenser so you're good) and replace the txv. The only reason I would do what what you did is if I was on a super budget, and the compressor clutch went out. Then I would drain the oil out of both compressors, fill up the new one with how much came out of the old one, still vacuum the system for at least an hour...

[@elmeradams8781]

@@TheOriginalBeeCee how did yours hold up? It's been a few years. I would think it would have died again by now. I know you're not an AC expert, but you did pretty well.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

@@elmeradams8781 expansion valve was replaced. & how do you know the system wasn’t vacuumed for an hour and flushed?

[@elmeradams8781]

@TheOriginalBeeCee your video was long. My coworker was following your video, he said you didn't, so he didn't. We spent the day doing it the right way for him. I didn't want people to get the wrong idea about doing ac work. Ps I only watched about 10 min of your video, so if I got it wrong, correct me.

[@frankradcliff660]

😂 use your brain and be careful. Sure.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

I know that is an extreme request 🤣