Installed a denso on one car and it came from California I had bad luck with 2 aftermarket units before pulling the trigger on the denso and never looked back
Pros: reliable, no issues
Owner reviews for AC compressor
Manufacturers
Comparisons
COO was Japan on the Denso I ordered from RA. Likely the same exact thing as OE Lexus, with a different sticker.
Pros: same as OE Lexus
Vehicle:
Lexus
Compressor failed. I went to the junkyard and pulled a Denso off an abandoned boxy boy. Geez it took all day to get the compressor in. I'd give it a 8/10 on the difficulty scale. Mainly for how tedious the work was. I did it without a jack which added to my obstacles.
Took about 8 hours total, 5 YT videos and 3 trips to the hardware store but my cars AC is back. Worst time for it to go out too in Texas Summer.
I'm happy I saved probably 1000 by doing it myself.
Pros: AC is back, saved money
Cons: difficult installation, tedious work
Vehicle:
Honda Element
If the compressor is bad order the Nissens, not UAC or GPD. If you are getting rid of the car just put cheap parts in it. If youre keeping it, get something that will last.
As others said, it’s an AC system, not just a compressor. Have the system inspected and pressure tested to see what the issue really is.
There are easy ways to check if the compressor is engaging. Look down in your engine bay at the compressor and set up your phone to record it operating. Start the car, turn the AC on then off, in then off. Watch the video and see if you can tell if the clutch is engaging and spinning the outermost pulley. If the magnetic clutch is clicking and the wheel is not moving, likely the compressor.
I just had my AC system totally replaced on a 2003 BMW. Parts were $800 and install from a local trusted mechanic (HCOL area) was $820. I would have done it myself but didn’t want to mess with taking off all the lines and cleaning them. So nice to have AC again during this heat wave.
Pros: AC system works again
Cons: high cost of parts and labor
Vehicle:
BMW
When I had my 2003 S10 2.2L, I discovered it used the same AC compressor as the 5.7L. So for me, it was probably 25% but man, turning it off with a double downshift going uphill felt like I had a mild turbo! Meanwhile the AC compressor on my then MX5 was this cute little thing. I never really felt any power loss from it.
Pros: MX5 AC no power loss
Cons: S10 AC significant power loss
Vehicle:
Chevrolet
This happened to me with a 2003 Civic in 2007. It was like a $1700 job back then, but Honda went 50/50 on the parts/labor after I wrote in with a sob story, told them I had a Honda lawnmower, etc - so I had to pay $650.
Pros: Honda paid 50/50
Cons: required replacing condenser
Vehicle:
Honda Civic
I’ve been waiting for an AC compressor since April and every month the date got pushed back more. I called various dealers they didn’t have it one of the dealers told me the order has been back ordered for 6 months already. I had an extended warranty and they replaced with an aftermarket part. A denso as well. Took 3 months to get my car back from the dealer. They also charged 6k for complete unit. Mind you my pilot is a 2020 with only 26k miles.
Cons: long wait time, high cost
Vehicle:
Honda Pilot
Mileage: 26000 km
Right at 5k miles the AC Compressor stopped working. Took it to the dealer and they replaced the Compressor. 3 weeks later, 5,600 miles, hot air blower out the vents again. Again they replace the Condensor, Compressor. All under warranty... 4 AC Compressors. When we got rid of it in 2019, the APP and the AC stopped working for the 4th time.
Cons: repeated failures, stopped working
Vehicle:
Subaru Forester
Mileage: 5000 km
I bought a Denso unit last year for my Honda, the first one that came out of the box from Rockauto the plastic connector was broken, replaced with the same one and the Denso AC only lasted for like 8 months. This is bulls**t
Cons: plastic connector broken, only lasted 8 months
Vehicle:
Honda
I also have a 21 Y. I've had 3 ac compressors fail in 80k miles. The first 2 were warranty. This was the first 2 years of owner ship. The last one was at almost 4 years of ownership. I was over on milage, so not warranty. Cost 3k to fix.
Cons: AC compressor failures
Mileage: 80000 km
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