Pontiac Repair: air compessor, negative battery cable, pontiac firebird

Question
I have a 1996 pontiac firebird 3.8 liter engine and we are trying to replace the air compressor. We disconnected the lines and removed the bolts but it still wont come out, but it will wiggle when u tug on it. What are we doin wrong or what did we miss?

Answer
Hi there:

it's been a long time since I have worked on that car/engine combination. Yes it's a tight fit! This is the text right out of our service manual. Sorry no pictures:

Recover the refrigerant. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .
Remove the serpentine drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement in Engine Mechanical.



Disconnect the electrical connector at the A/C compressor.



Remove the negative battery cable nut from the engine block stud.
Remove the negative battery cable from the stud.
Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.



Remove the A/C compressor and condenser hose bolt.
Discard the O-ring.



Remove the A/C compressor rear bolts (2, 3).



Remove the A/C compressor bolts.
Remove the A/C compressor.
Installation Procedure
Important: NEW A/C compressors are shipped WITHOUT poly-alkylene glycol (PAG) oil.





If a NEW A/C compressor is being installed, add 60 ml (2 oz) of PAG oil to the compressor.
If reinstalling the old A/C compressor perform the following:
2.1.  Drain, measure and record the amount of PAG oil in the A/C compressor.

2.2.  If the measured amount of PAG oil drained is less than or equal to 60 ml (2 oz), add 60 ml (2 oz) of new, clean PAG oil to the A/C compressor.

2.3.  If the measured amount of PAG oil drained is greater than 60 ml (2 oz), add the same amount of new, clean PAG oil to the A/C compressor.

Install the A/C compressor.
Install the A/C compressor bolts.
Tighten
Tighten the A/C compressor bolts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).





Install the A/C compressor rear bolts (2, 3).
Tighten
Tighten the A/C compressor rear bolts (2, 3) to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).





Install a new O-ring.
Lightly coat the O-ring with a mineral base 525 viscosity refrigerant oil.

Install the A/C compressor and condenser hose bolt.
Tighten
Tighten the A/C compressor and condenser hose bolt to 33 N·m (24 lb ft).

Lower the vehicle.



Install the negative battery cable to the stud.
Install the negative battery cable nut to the engine block stud.
Tighten
Tighten the negative battery cable nut to the engine block stud to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).





Connect the electrical connector at the A/C compressor.
Install the serpentine drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement in Engine Mechanical.
Charge the A/C system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .
Perform a leak test on the A/C system. Refer to Leak Testing .
Good luck: soor again The pictures will not "cut and paste"