First off, thanks for all the helpful insight. I found that the highest frequency of successful repairs required a new reciever/dryer no matter if the compressor was a new one or old. I shopped around and found a kit at the local Auto Value store that gave me a new compressor (with clutch), reciever, orifice tube, seals, system flush solvent, and oil for just over $300.00. Buying the kit gave me a 1-year warranty on all parts. Took me most of the day but I was cautious and made sure that I didn't do anything stupid like slip a wrench and puncture the radiator (done that once). Had trouble finding the orifice tube but did on-line search and located it. It came out pretty clean for a 97K mile vehicle. Used the flush solvent by puncturing a small hole in the top of the can and press fit a small length of tubing in it. Used this to flow solvent into the lines and then blew it out with an air hose. Buttoned it all up and pulled a vacuum on the system for about 45 minutes with my Harbor Freight vacuum pump ($10.00). Confirmed no leaks after 1/2 hr with the gauges from HF ($30.00). Charged it with new freon RC-134a and it works great! New compressor is really quiet and almost difficult to hear kicking in. I am very happy with the results and even though it took me a good part of a day to do it I feel like it was a job done right. Yes, I could have saved some money by going with a used compressor but the bulk of the time on this job was swapping this part. Didn't want to increase the risk of having to do it again by saving a little over $125.00 Thanks again to all who weighed in on this one!!!
| 
