88 Cab A/C Compressor - How Do You Take This Off?!?! | FerrariChat
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88 Cab A/C Compressor - How Do You Take This Off?!?!

Discussion in 'Mondial' started by Il Steeg, Feb 25, 2022.

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  1. Il Steeg

    Il Steeg Formula Junior
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 15, 2017
    361
    PNW-In a van, down by the river.....
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #1 Il Steeg, Feb 25, 2022
    I've tried to find any thread that deals with this, but if one exists, I can't find it. Please forgive me if I've missed something obvious...

    I've started the belt changing process, and I haven't gotten very far before crashing and burning... I've got an 88 Cabriolet - European spec, if that makes any difference... I've followed all the instructions I can find, watched all the videos I could find, too. Any help anyone could provide would be very much appreciated.

    I'm trying to remove the a/c compressor, so as to do a belt service and to replace a failing compressor clutch. The system was "de-gassed" by a mobil a/c repair tech, and the system - other than the noisy clutch, was blowing cold and in good working order. The tech was amazed and impressed....

    I'll try to insert photos as I go, but they'll probably load out of order with my luck. All photos are taken from the passenger side of the engine bay, looking straight down

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    Engine is at the top of these photos, fender is at the bottom.

    I've removed the three main bolts that hold the a/c compressor on to the studs that are on the belt cover (red arrow). The mounting bracket moves and wiggles freely.

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    However, when I try to move remove the compressor, the hoses run into the fender support strut (red arrow below), and there i nowhere enough room to get the compressor off of the studs

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    If the answer is to disconnect the compressor from the hoses, as you can see there is just about zero room for that, too. Every connection is behind or interfered with by every other connector!

    If the answer is to "remove the studs," I'm pretty sure I could get the one at the top (red arrow in the 2nd picture above), but I'm equally sure the other two (at 9 o'clock and 6 o'clock, if the one pictured above is at 12 noon) will be pretty much impossible.... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

    I can't even figure out how it was installed in the first place, unless they started with the compressor, and then built the rest of the car around it.

    Like I said, I'm stumped.

    Any help would be gratefully appreciated!
     
  2. decampos

    decampos Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 11, 2005
    460
    Los Angeles
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    Ben
    #2 decampos, Feb 26, 2022
    I have an '88. It's US spec but looks similar enough to your set up. It's quite the puzzle, alright. The hoses should not need to be removed. Off the top of my head, It comes away in pieces and you only remove the main bracket once the compressor is out of the way. I believe the first thing that you free is this section in the photograph here, then you have more access for removing bolts, nuts etc. Good luck!

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    Il Steeg likes this.
  3. greatscott73

    greatscott73 Formula Junior

    Sep 1, 2017
    446
    Eastern Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Howard Scott
    #3 greatscott73, Feb 26, 2022
    The above advice is correct. The bracket has to be disassembled in pieces on the car. There are two boomerang shaped arms that stretch over the top of the compressor that must be removed, and the large flat plate that is bolted directly to the timing cover is the last piece to come off. Take lots of photos and note the orientation of everything. I have had mine off probably ten times for various reasons, (87 cab, US spec) and it is one of my least favorite chores on the car. IIRC, the adjusting bracket on the back of the compressor also has to come off. All of this would be easier with the hoses out of the way. It can be done, but its not fun.
     
    Il Steeg likes this.
  4. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,106
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    #4 Rifledriver, Feb 26, 2022
    While an access panel was provided to allow a valve adjustment at the 15,000 service it was really intended to remove the engine for the belt service. I have had the compressor out of them but when all is said and done I think I can remove the engine more quickly.
     
    Sergio Tavares and Il Steeg like this.

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