Any DIY specific guide/tutorials for AC Compressor for B7 S4?

[Der Konig]

Hi everyone.

My AC is not working thus I figured the whole system is probably stopped as it is old enough.
I went to an auto repair shop and they tried recharging the gas after they found out the gas was empty (due to the previous owner pulling out the engine to do timing chain service).
However, no luck. So I figured the AC Compressor was probably done. Just wasted $100 + gas + trip time for nothing.


I'm not a mechanic nor have any experience in repairing car except some simple audio upgrades DIY and engine oil changes.
Thus I've decided to step forward and DIY to change the AC Compressor.

From my little own research, it seems like changing the AC Compressor would take many hours.

Does anyone have a specific tutorial/guide for AC Compressor DIY for B6/B7 S4 step by step for beginners like me?


My car is at 214k km (probably about 134k miles) and the car needs some jobs to be done beside AC Compressor replacement.
-Valve Cover Gaskets replacement
-Oil Check Valves replacement
-Y-Piece Radiator Hose replacement (passenger's side)


Should I consider pulling out the engine to work on it? (though I will need to buy an engine hoist)

Or should I work on the engine without pulling the engine?

From my own research, it seems like people have lifted the car up with a hoist
which made me think that I will probably need a hoist or pull the engine out but I don't have a hoist nor an engine hoist.

I am thinking of buying an engine hoist if it is really necessary.


Timing chain has been serviced by the previous owner (DIY) but he, unfortunately, put plastics instead of the RS4 metal ones
and I was thinking of changing it to RS4 tensioners maybe after 100k km from now on. I drive less than 10,000k km per year (6k miles)


If you think there are some other maintenance jobs I should do besides those listed above please let me know.

I will probably do everything DIY unless I really have to go to a shop.

I have basic tools (like 200pieces of sockets + wrenches set, torque wrench, bar breaker, etc) but no impact wrench (air guns)



Thank you for your help.

Just my 0.02, but I think if you took the lock carrier off you could do it pretty easily. Would be tight but you can see how open everything is then in the pic below. But here is the full DIY, for a B6 but same engine and lay out pretty much.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fxf...ew?usp=sharing

[jayden.world]

Just my 0.02, but I think if you took the lock carrier off you could do it pretty easily. Would be tight but you can see how open everything is then in the pic below. But here is the full DIY, for a B6 but same engine and lay out pretty much.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fxf...ew?usp=sharing

Thank you so much for your reply!

Do you mean I should not use lock carrier tools to put the vehicle in service mode ?
this https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...et/t10093~oev/

or do I need to take out the entire front radiator?
From the DIY you posted above, it seems like I can not use the lock carrier tools for service mode and need to remove the entire front radiator components



If I do not need to remove the engine and putting the vehicle in service mode will allow me to do all the jobs easily,
I will be more than happy though.




Thank you very much for your DIY pdf file.