I recently received a diagnosis on Matador, my 1992 740. The diagnosis is that the A/C compressor is shot and needs to be replaced.

This might not be enough detail to get the answers I am hoping for, so if there is further clarification, or if I should be asking the mechanic some more detailed questions, please fire them my way.

I am definitely a novice when it comes to things mechanical, but would be happy to save the estimated $1,000 repair bill to get this fixed. If that means that he sits in the driveway for several weekends while I get it done, then that's OK, but I also don't want to get in over my head.

Matador has 204,000 on it, a robust engine still and a recently rebuilt transmission. Aside from the tranny, the repairs have been relatively few in the nearly 3 years I've had it (got it with 152,000 miles). I'd rather put some elbow grease and a few hundred into this project rather than just turning over $1,000 (even if it'd be quicker).

I read through the informative FAQ on converting to 134a, and I'm sure this will come in handy. What help or sources/resources should I know of before embarking on this? Are there further diagnoses I can do at home? I feel that my mechanic is trustworthy, so I doubt it's something benign like a faulty line or hose, but I can always check for these things first, too. I just don't really know where to start.

Thanks in advance for help provided!