MH>Yesterday evening I started doing some research on A/C compressor replacemen
MH>on the Durango.  It has been getting very hot here in MD the past few days.

MH>All is still working right now, but apparently my wife told me that at one
MH>point yesterday, the A/C stopped working and there was smoke coming from the
MH>engine area.  I checked it later and didn't see any problems and all is work
MH>again.  What I think happened, was the compressor seized and the belt starte
MH>smoking.

MH>She turned the A/C off at that point, which probably saved the belt.  I didn
MH>see a think wrong with it when I looked at it - and it isn't making any stra
MH>noises or anything.

MH>At any rate, I did find that I can buy the same compressor on Amazon for aro
MH>$200-$230.  In addition, I would need to buy a vacuum pump with the A/C hose
MH>to be able to evacuate the system.  Will try and buy an old canister of R134
MH>to put the stuff in and then use it to refill it again.

MH>The removal of the compressor doesn't appear to be too much trouble, but the
MH>evacuation is something I have never done before.  There are YouTube videos
MH>it, so I should be able to follow the directions.

MH>If I do the job, it should cost more than $400 (including the vacuum pump,
MH>hoses, etc I would have to buy).  If I take it somewhere, I would estimate
MH>$600-$800 for the job.

Sounds like a plan. That is a good price on the Compressor. I pair
almost $500 for one for a Chev S-10.
Make sure you let the vacuunm pump run about 30 minutes after it reaches
it's hihest vacuum,
The biggest problem is to NOT put in too much R134a the system.

Here is a good run through of what to do from the interent.

http://www.firstfives.org/faq/AC/ac_charge.html
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 þ SLMR 2.1a þ Typo Tom strikes agaoin