Hello, i just had my a/c compressor lock up on me and broke my serpentine belt. I just purchased the vehicle 2 weeks ago. Very first Lexus i have ever owned or toyota for that matter. So far not making a good impression. She sure is pretty though! Sitting in the driveway. Just wondering if any of you guys have changed one out on this particular model. I have a 2008 RX 350 fwd. 130K miles.
p.s. this blows so hard

 

Happened to mine (made in Canada, 2008) with only 80K miles, it spread metal particles into the system, so had to replace:

New compressor, condenser & dryer, discharge pipe (has a muffler on it, so hard to flush), flushed the rest.

Got the DENSO compressor and condenser (includes dryer), and a Four Seasons High pressure refrigerant hose (compressor to condenser) from RockAuto.

Fairly straight forward DIY, you have to remove passenger tire and bottom splash guards, then the condenser and the fan shroud to get clearance to get at the compressor. Careful pulling out the fan shroud, the radiator filler neck is plastic and brittle by now.

There is a video on youtube on replacing the radiator, which gives you all the steps to get the condenser out (you can leave the radiator and pipes in, but this may be an easy time to replace the coolant fluid anyway).

 

Thank you so much mesquite. Is the compressor removed from the top or the bottom of the vehicle?

 

Bottom, after fan assembly out.

 

Hey mesquite, I want to say thank you. I got it out this morning. It took me about 4 hours but I got it.

 

Same here 2011 Rx 350 Compressor OBDI2 lock code is B1422 Engine light or something should have come on. Compressor Locking would make a lot of noise before. Car has 3 seperate sensors on compressor, a high line pressure sensor, and a spin sensor to tell you belt slipping. Also you need and exact voltage to even engage the compressor, all controlled by ECU and an AC amplifier that controls the signal. I hope your car dosen't have one since you have to take out the whole center console, dash, and since they dont make it anymore, by one off Ebay 3-500 bucks!
Mine looks nice sitting in the driveway as well. Great to take it out on cool days. Good luck!

 

FYI Denso 477-0612 Condenser says it does NOT include the dryer, but it DOES include the dryer! It's in there under a plastic cover, then a snap ring and then the plastic holder with o-rings and filter, etc. So if you want good OEM replacement, that part # is GTG - got it for $100 ish on Amazon - that part # is for 2007-2009 RX-350's