Question regarding auto air conditioning repair

[Fleshdancer]

I went to get coolant in my AC today and I was told that I couldn't because there was a leak. After everything is said and done, they want to charge me $1,194.15 so my obvious question is this too much? I really have no idea.

The following is some what they recommend to replace:

New cmpr and clutch kit $706.28
Adapter/fitting High Side $ 11.78
Remove and replace A/C compressor $58.80
Remove and replace receiver drier $42.00
Remove and replace A/C expansion tube $25.20

They also want to charge $70 for A/C system flush labor and $30 for air conditioning flush according to the paperwork. This is a lot of money so I was hoping for a little advice/opinion before gutting my bank acct. Keep in mind though that I'm in TX and it's not even the hottest month of the year yet so rolling down my windows is not a option I'm willing to take.

[yorgatron]

1. i'd get a second opinion,if i were you.

sounds like they're replacing just about everything they can get away with.

[BigMcLargehuge]

2. if it's leaking

then you shouldn't need a compressor and clutch kit. Take it to another place and have them try and isolate the leak. It could be from a hose or fitting.

[Fleshdancer]

3. I was wondering about that too

once again, I'm annoyed at my ignorance when it comes to cars. x( I'll take it somewhere else for a second opinion.

[politicat]

4. Take it someplace else and don't tell them what Company A said.

I've had this happen a couple times (being small and female, I get a lot of predatory auto issues - Brakes plus tried to tell me that I needed to replace a part that doesn't even exist on my car. Fortunately, I'm also a good mechanic when I have the time to be one and I like it when I can afford the time and loss of a car.)

See what company B says. Avoid the chains - grease monkey etc. Try to get a local.

Take it into the dealership for a third opinion.

Yeah, you're going to lose a day's work on this. But the compressor shouldn't need to be replaced if there's a leak in the system -- you'll know when the compressor goes out. The leak is most likely in a coolant line that is not in the compressor.

[jmowreader]

5. There are ways of FINDING a leak in an AC system

Whatcha do is use a special charge of R-134. It's got a flourescent dye in it and you only put a few ounces of this refrigerant in the system.

You charge the system with this, turn on the AC and search around under the hood with an electronic leak detector with blacklight. The leaks will pop right out at you.

Then you replace the $20 part that was leaking, install R-134 oil and R-134 refrigerant, collect a hundred bucks and send the customer on his merry, cool way.

[Fleshdancer]

6. that sounds promising....

Will a mechanic be willing to do it? :shrug:

[Gold Metal Flake]

7. Tracing the leak is basic.

Replacing the compressor and clutch is extreme. The first place is most likely trying to hose you. Get second and third estimates, and don't tell them what you are doing. Eventually you will find an honest place.

If you were near me, I'd pull a vacuum, fill it with R134 with die and trace the leak.

[jmowreader]

8. Most mechanics are, but I dunno about that first guy

The biggest cause of leaky auto AC systems is O-rings. Refrigerant eats them.

If they replace the O-rings that seal all the connections, that's probably all you'll need.

[jobycom]

9. Where'd you take it, and is this a newer or older car?

If you still live around here, there are a couple of places I don't trust much. Plus, unless it's an older car, you can buy C134 at Walmart or any old place and put it in yourself. If it's a fast leak and the compressor is really gone, this won't help, but if it's just a slow leak and the compressor is fine, you can charge it for a while and see if the compressor is still working.


I live in the same complex, I'd be happy to glance at it for you, or I could get my mechanic at work to give you an idea of whether that's a fair price. He's not licensed to fix ACs, but he could probably give you an idea of whether the compressor is gone or not. He's looked at mine recently.

[jmowreader]

11. There's an R134 retrofit kit on the market

To change from R-12 to R-134 you drain the R-12 out of the system (which is done), in your case change the seals, then add R-134 silicone oil and R-134 refrigerant.

[pitohui]

10. yeah get a second opinion but yeah

this is what it costs, that is why most of us sell the vehicle when the a/c gives up the noble fight

[Rabrrrrrr]

12. Rule No.1: Assume the mechanic is a lying, cheating, criminal

Get a second, maybe even a third opinion. Ask around - ask people who one or two of the few honest AND skilled mechanics in town are - and then go to those mechanics.

Rule No. 2: Assume that, if you have the work done, the mechanic is a lying, cheating criminal who will charge you for the new parts he put in, but he didn't actually put in, using instead old parts from someone else's car, or cobbling together something that will work "just enough; and just long enough" that you won't notice you paid $700 for some tinfoil and duct tape. So, always check under the hood and make sure that the supposedly new parts are actually there.

And make sure the mechanic didn't sabotage something else so that it beaks soon so that you come back in to have it "fixed".


Rule No. 3: If you're a woman, take a man with you to the garage; preferably a man who knows a lot about cars or who owns and won't mind wearing a clerical collar. If the mechanic feels intimidated, he'll be more honest.

[jobycom]

13. The mechanics who work with me might have a few issues with that./

First of all, there are two quick ways to get ripped off. One is by letting them know you don't know much about cars, and two is by pissing them off by not trusting anything they say. The second of those will get you bad service and inflated prices more often than the first. My father is a mechanic, my brother-in-laws were mechanics, and I work for a garage, so I know several mechanics and garage owners in town. MOST won't try to rip you off. SOME will if they get mad at you. Some are just bad mechanics, though, and may make mistakes that will cost you.

The best way to not get ripped off is to use your human instinct. If the mechanic shows you what he is talking about, is direct and answers all questions with detail, and seems to be trying to explain things to you rather than brush away your questions or schmooze you, he's more likely to be telling the truth. If he's evasive, won't look you in the eyes, smiles a lot or frowns too much or seems otherwise trying to be charming, he's selling and not explaining.

You are right about getting recommendations. Also, look at the building, and the owner. The building should have some permanence to it, the owner should be nearby. If it's a chain, the mechanics have no care whether the business survives, so they are more likely to rip you off. If it's a small company with an owner who works in the store and manages the mechanics, or is a mechanic, he (or she--one of the better garages here in Austin is owned by a female mechanic) has more of a vested interest in whether the company is around next year. His income depends more on you being happy than on how much money he takes from you right then.

Beware garages that don't look like garages, beware owners or mechanics who seem ADD or scatter-brained, beware chains. Some are good, and if you have a good recommendation, trust it, but they do not have the financial incentive to be honest that a smaller chain does.

And I know at least one mechanic who breaks all of those rules and is honest and damn good.

The bottom line is if you don't know much about cars, use all of your knowledge about people. An honest person makes an honest mechanic.