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[Bionic]

Anyone done this in situ? If so give me a clue as to how please. Is it even possible cos looks like everything and its dog is in the way?
Tried it once and could not reach the pipe unions and so could not get it out.
Bloody silly place to put them anyway, they should have been on its rear plate so well done (NOT) VX.
Lucky I have till the weather gets hot again (if ever) before I will need it.

[amba]

I watched my aircon man replace mine last year.
He needed the help of his friend as 1 of the fixing bolts requires a very long extension bar feed down from above whilst helping hands are below to guide socket on.
In fairness they were both very familiar with replacing them and took about 1 hour from start to finish (then all the regassing etc).
It would appear quite doable but very ackward and 4 hands being required...that as much as I can advise.

[dbug]

As above needs one underneath to locate socket on extension bars onto bolt on top and one above to undo it - refit same way making sure o-rings properly located.  We found it difficult to get compressor out and had to bar the anti roll bar for clearance.

[Bionic]

Bummer! Would it be any easier to remove the AirCon Pump mounting bracket to aid pipe union removal/replacement or is not that easy?

[Matchless]

Done this a few times without problems, but I remove the bagpipes and sec.air pipes first so the pump comes out upwards.

Just move the main engine loom / power steering pipe etc until you can see the bolt fixing pipes to the pump from above, 13mm socket plus all of your extensions and loosen but dont completely remove. Go underneath and remove with fingers, push pipes clear then take pump out forwards. You have to rotate it as it comes out to let the oil filler plug miss the bracket.
Make a mental note of the twists and turns as it comes out to make replacement easier.
Engage the pipe bracket and O ring from underneath, fit the bolt then go back up top to tighten it up.

[Bionic]

Now it starts to sound a bit better. Freekin bagpipes have been on and off like a yoyo lately. Maybe if I whistle they will do it themselves?
Think I will take everything off that I can, including the battery and hook up a spare battery as a power supply remotely to keep things right. Suppose I had best get on with it as I have had the replacement sitting around long enough.
How much skin will I lose? (better include temper too)?

[Matchless]

Not a bad job for skin loss but can fray the temper a bit, especially when trying to see if the O ring is in place properly...the engine mount is in the way.
Biggest gripe is that the whole area is usually caked in old oil from camcover leaks etc, with the pump off you get a chance to clean things up a bit.

What is the fault with the old pump?

[Bionic]

Had AirCon checked last year by a 'specialist' who said it needed a new condenser cos it was leaking. Told him to go ahead and parted with neck end of 300 quid. Took it back twice afterwards to get it topped up so methinks I will take it elsewhere for a checkup. Did so and the two guys were brill - found (and showed me) the leak was from the pump itself. Got onto swvauxhall spares, who have never let me down, and got a replacement. All I have done up to now is cleaed it off and repainted it ready for the change. Naturally I made sure that aircon lube was in it and blocked off both ports first. I have turned it over by hand every few days since.
Fortunately for me I am one of the peculiar ones who think that the underbonnet and bay itself should be as clean as the outside. Very little muck about down there as a result. Found out years ago as a 30+ year (could say nearer 40 but like to think I am still young)motor mech that a clean motor and engine bay makes spotting problems a hell of a lot easier and you don't get filthy doing bits.
Probably get stuck in later this week if it warms up a bit and stays dryish. Got to change the thermostat and water pump anyway so quite a lot will be off to start with.