Toyota MR2 AW11: Installing a New AC Compressor R12 to R134A

The AC in my 85' Toyota MR2 has been broken for sometime because of a bad AC compressor. In this video I replace the AC compressor, o-rings, receiver drier, and charge up the AC with R134a refrigerant. I can finally cruise comfortably on those hot summer nights!
My MR2 videos can be found here: bit.ly/2Yeivba
Parts and tools I used can be found below:
85-86 MR2 AC Compressor: amzn.to/3KZBw5b
Receiver drier: amzn.to/3JYixqC
PAG 46 Oil: amzn.to/3OodpPO
Tools needed to recharge AC. Complete Kit: amzn.to/3OokEam
Refrigerant: amzn.to/3rEWPRT
Refrigerant: amzn.to/3Ev3ROi
Refrigerant Can Tap: amzn.to/3jYFL5j
Kitchen scale: amzn.to/3MA4hpN
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youtube: / diydancars
Instagram: / diydancars
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of DIYDan, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. DIYDan assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk!!!
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[@DIYDanCars]

My MR2 videos can be found here: bit.ly/2Yeivba Parts and tools I used can be found below: 85-86 MR2 AC Compressor: amzn.to/3KZBw5b Receiver drier: amzn.to/3JYixqC PAG 46 Oil: amzn.to/3OodpPO Tools needed to recharge AC. Complete Kit: amzn.to/3OokEam Refrigerant: amzn.to/3rEWPRT Refrigerant: amzn.to/3Ev3ROi Refrigerant Can Tap: amzn.to/3jYFL5j Kitchen scale: amzn.to/3MA4hpN Follow me on: youtube: kzbin.info Instagram: instagram.com/diydancars/

[@joeg5696]

Dan. You show the rest of us how we can fix these things ourselves, whether it be a Porsche, jetski or Maserati, to name a few....Thank you for that.

[@DIYDanCars]

No problem Joe! Happy to help when I can.

[@carlosmayorca4642]

Thank you so much for this video! The manual for the AW11 is super vague on how to do this process and you've explained it in such an amazing way that I can't thank you enough for it!

[@rickproulx6667]

My favorite MR2 channel 💯

[@pirihern9329]

85 mr2 in great shape. Watched video to refresh my memory on the ac gear you have. I have the same one. Not expensive and good to have. Pays for itself 1st time you use. It's a win win. Peace stay safe

[@DIYDanCars]

Absolutely! I'm getting too old to be driving in a car without AC. :)

[@Vracer111]

Very nice video on the A/C system! I'm still going to delete the non working A/C on the AW11 I just bought though...have some rust to remove, inhibit, and coat in the trunks from the carpet holding condensation and don't feel like taking any chances.

[@Baamalangadingdong]

Hi Vracer111 - I have an 1985 I would love to put a/c in. In you can get the components out and bundled I would be happy to buy the complete set.

[@rschneid1996]

Great video. I am considering buying an MR2 and wanted to see how difficult the R-12 to R-134a conversion was. Many thanks for posting !

[@DIYDanCars]

I have a whole playlist dedicated to DIY fixes for the AW11 MR2. The AW11 MR2 is one of the cars that really got me excited about cars when I was a kid and I'm hoping these videos will help keep these cars on the road. Happy to help!

[@sharingiscaring9320]

my 89 MR2 AC needs a recharge. Thanks for the video

[@jossr71]

do you need to clean the charging kit? if so how do you clean it and with what? Thanks

[@austynblair8601]

Hey I'm trying this but I can not seem to find where to plug the wire that's coming of the compressor

[@dongosaurusrex]

how did you know that your ac was empty of r12 prior to beginning the conversion? I just bought an aw11 that blows air really well however it is not cold at all and I believe that I don't need to get any r12 recovered at a shop to do my r134a conversion. Any help would be appreciated and thank you for the detailed video, can't wait to have cold air here in texas.

[@dan-othemando7958]

My Mr2 AC Is Leaking In The Frunk Again.....Fixed/Replaced that Valve 3 Times Now......Do I Need To Change Those Metal Hoses???

[@edifiebru]

Awesome video, I am in the process of doing this on my mr2. Did you add oil to the system besides the one in the compressor?

[@jdmking4776]

Did you ever end up figuring this out

[@edifiebru]

@@jdmking4776 I added a little bit in the dryer, like part of the total oil needed to the dryer and what the new ac compressor had

[@jdmking4776]

@@edifiebru So you by any chance know the total amount of oil needed?

[@gmoroder]

What else might I need to fix on an AW11's A/C system? I'm looking into buying one: everything checks out on this example, except the A/C system not working. The owner lives in Oregon, so they've just had the A/C lines disconnected and don't know if any of it is operational. Problem is, I live in Arizona, so I need to consider the potential costs of A/C repair before I make an offer. Is this video the extent of the repairs I would need to do to get the A/C running?

[@bastion8800]

I have the exact same problem. AW11 owner who moved from Oregon to Arizona... I'm pretty sure this video details all the repairs needed

[@trevorgartner4194]

Awesome Video! Helped me to decide to tackle m aw11 ac myself. A few questions; Why didn't you replace the expansion valve? and the gasket kit you bought has a lot of orings, did you replace them between all the fittings like between the condenser, evaporator etc? thanks again!

[@DIYDanCars]

Thanks! My expansion valve is working fine so I didn't need to replace it. The o-ring kit I purchased covers a wide variety of makes and models hence the additional o-rings that were included. You only use what applies to your vehicle. Good luck!

[@trevorgartner4194]

@@DIYDanCars Thanks for the quick reply! also, did you change the high and low pressure charging valves? I see that in conversion kits, but didn't know if our cars need that too.

[@trevorgartner4194]

@@DIYDanCars My AW11 blew cold air today for the first time in years! Thanks for the awesome vid!

[@DIYDanCars]

@@trevorgartner4194 Awesome! Congrats and nice work! Happy to help!

[@waddlespig1251]

Great video. When I do my AC on my 86 mk1a I'll be sure to use the ones I know worked for you. By chance do you know how to locate a leak?

[@DIYDanCars]

Thanks! You will need to use R134A refrigerant that has dye in it and a black light to find the leak.

[@YoKeymari]

How do you know which compressor to choose? The car I have has a R12 and the compressor is bad so I wanna do a replacement instead of retro fit but have no clue which compressor to get

[@DIYDanCars]

I included links in the description to the compressor that will fit an AW11. Any auto parts website should have a search function to find compatible parts for your year and make.

[@Dundertaker1]

You know what else is Red? FYI I made it 3111 miles out and back to Sharks in the Badlands in the 86.5....one quart of oil and 2 cans for Freon. :)

[@DIYDanCars]

The Sharks event wasn't cancelled? I'm surprised by that! Congrats on the trouble free drive out there!

[@Dundertaker1]

Private event...Muh' Freedoms! :)

[@Dundertaker1]

@@DIYDanCars emailed you some pics.

[@jdmking4776]

Did you have to remove and replace any other O rings? The o ring kit I bought has a bunch of other o rings. Since the black ones aren't compatible do you have to find every single o ring in the system and replace them

[@DIYDanCars]

Sometimes those o-ring kits are made to fit several makes and models so only use what applies to your car. It wouldn't hurt to replace as many of the o-rings as you can. These cars are getting to be 40 years old now.

[@jdmking4776]

@@DIYDanCars True. There seems to be a lot of places for them to hide. Bad weather is in now so I'll save this video in my pocket for next summer 😂

[@carlosreyes-yb9tt]

You didn't need to replace the square seal inside the compressor's manifold?

[@richarddalessandro8576]

I couldn’t find a square seal for the compressor manifold so I just used epoxy instead. That seal is what caused my compressor to leak

[@Anyelo30]

Hi Dan My dad has an 85 mr2 and had a mechanic shop installed a new ac compressor in his car to change the system with r134a. Well the system or ac compressor never kick on to take a charge. The mechanic say that it was power to the system but he couldn't figured out why it didn't kick on to take a charge. This is the same reason why the old compressor was change. Any idea why? Or what to do to fix it? The dryer receiver was not replace is this probably that why?

[@DIYDanCars]

You checked the fuse, right? If so, check for 12 volts at the compressor and work your way back to the switch. If you have 12V at the compressor, I would then look at the low pressure sensor. If your mechanic doesn't know this, it's time to find a new one! It's hard to give advise without being there, but I would start here first. Good luck!

[@Anyelo30]

@@DIYDanCars Thank You Dan, I would do that myself and check it with a multimeter. The mechanic I believe checked out for power and told my that there was power. But he didn't change the ac dryer receiver. The car still has the factory one on. Do I need to replace the dryer ac receiver or accumulator in order to use r134a, as you show here on the video, could this be the reason Why the compressor is not getting activated and going?

[@DIYDanCars]

@@Anyelo30Yes, the receiver/dryer should always be replaced whenever the system is opened up. You really need to find a new mechanic.

[@davidpearce3236]

Dan I am tacking this very project now and ran into a problem. Hoping you can help. When you installed the manifold onto the compressor you replaced the 4 o rings on the bottom. The manifold is a two piece manifold. Did you replace that oring as well or does it not need replaced? Thanks for any help you can provide.

[@DIYDanCars]

Yes. I also replaced the square o-ring that is accessible when the manifold is apart.

[@davidpearce3236]

Every o ring kit I can find does not have the correct size. Did u get it separate? Where did you get it from. Thanks for your help.

[@DIYDanCars]

@@davidpearce3236 I had to get it from the dealer.

[@maxsinventions8913]

How is this working out for you?

[@DIYDanCars]

AC still blows cold! I love it!

[@TamezTech]

Update on the part? Its unavailable and my mechanic wants to charge me 400 bucks for ordering one

[@DIYDanCars]

What part? The AC compressor? Parts are getting harder and harder to find during COVID. If you can't find a new AC compressor, then your only option is to have it rebuilt. Make sure you do your research on rebuilders because they are not all created equal!

[@KarrYoung]

any difference in parts/process between the mk1a and mk1b?

[@DIYDanCars]

I couldn't tell you. I have never owned a mk1b.

[@carlosmayorca4642]

Hey I have an MK1B and it's pretty much the same thing. Just remember to loose the bolt that tightens the tensioner pulley on the side and the one on to that tightens the belt so the pulley can move to the desired position. I was fighting for like half an hour figuring out why after loosening the bolt, the pulley wasn't moving and it was that.

[@PhoenixGaming1000]

Where did you find the O-rings?

[@DIYDanCars]

www.ebay.com/itm/113990827612?fits=Model%3AMR2%7CMake%3AToyota&epid=76989511&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item1a8a61fe5c:g:EXsAAOSwqaNckslT&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACgBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickkAgU0umhwUTmgTFbE5cu7zfRB95izkluIUJWGTW3DR4InSGWCiggsxv12YAidE8J9UJfir5VMXmZQ7gcZVp4nqR89rvtKM1r53tjyDQ0t%252FagpVBYYTxjWOoNT%252BevbwsYAoqbRUhAVZDHPF%252B6Xny1Hx5NI5HJn6HdCMTS64SD5xBRSpVK50Ph5z%252BDovt0IIUym%252BKc5EF77FH%252FT0rb8%252F8x9O3qdzg2oJH0gHYI3aoU7MMEPdQdsooPQcl5yhHUwpp6lWbnb5T%252FgwhKxyXCbH2QUOd4IFbsKpKlmVX0ADhMfOoJON3mjsa1JRKWz9GsZVm3gz%252Bh1T3RpZrlc9ncORoC2rc3eD7jRVT%252By5%252FSnDnMLJSoOFDq%252BPTo8Q1Q9w6bWH8yzHfjzYBMm%252FOPOCJ3f%252FxaYppCydZngD%252FmdAmPzVssgI%252Fj2OAuBzPYiYJITRwIPQXrpniNCpKV78NnR9Qk8afcjeKgSEU71NCwHF1C%252FnbWUP277a7IKc4MkPDxxS6pBvGOqdryLzQbyzPavT7DoN2tgj9eFGjPzJdUn15vfPzP2DPI48H%252F5FNa7wtVuGaPeSQHAQLyOKks7iKLsu5LQQ8qvVkTKFbWqAHw0VyydkJDpGXhHcjWfxziPPuOgDQQ9blCnp0udMA1BxtcidCUvBazC8bKCyPdR%252FCI2SsZkeyolTUWy8QCe4tYQAR8xh99DBFlIfWb0ERYes0TmgEZ%252BM7oi2b7Ov7ZH2mIqt%252F2jVkVfURJAfFjvteAXnJmuiPW%252FUh8dwLYnLwNHssMgm%252BDunDz6FPkkR1rQ21qCKZG9U10ZK6Y%253D%7Ccksum%3A11399082761274d45a130dfe40f9a160e45345f613cf%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524

[@ficklecycler]

What model 4post lift is that? It looks really compact!

[@DIYDanCars]

@@ficklecycler My lift is made by Direct-Lift.