For $100 or so the new compressor cost vs the $15 for the valve it seems a good idea to do just the valve. The problem is if it doesn't work which in my case it didn't I was out all the hassle of removing the compressor (have to do that to change the valve), pulling a vacuum, Freon, etc just to lose it all and have to do it over again.

So valve cost, Freon plus labor involved makes that $100 compressor the smarter bet. This way you KNOW it will be fixed and only have to do the job once. The compressor should last 200,000 miles or so. Even if the valve worked you would be replacing the compressor soon anyways since it has to have a bunch of miles on it for the valve to be bad to start with.

Its just not worth it. Play it smart and change the compressor.

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