i've made 2 threads on this already, but neither is bumpable, and i'd like to give this one more shot

okay, so my A/C quit working (well) about 9 months ago - i'd have the car running, and turn on the A/C and it'd run cold for about 30 seconds, and then go warm...if i turn it off for a couple of minutes, and then run it again, it'll stay cold for about 15 seconds, and then go warm again

i took it by tommy at the philips 66 on western/avent ferry, and he said i needed a new compressor...i was prepared to leave it at that, but then some educated comments from the other threads suggested that perhaps it wasn't actually the compressor, but some component...i'd LOVE to not pay $600 for a compressor i may or may not need - any of you guys willing to take a look at it? in one of the other threads, Jeepman said he could, but he got busy and i didn't pursue it

someone also suggested 4 brothers or something (i think that was it)...obviously, though, i'd love to save as much as possible and i trust some of you jokers

4/17/2008 8:58:38 PM

i think the ac on my civic is starting to go.

i was experimenting with it this afternoon.

let me know how your experience goes if you need a shop to fix it

4/17/2008 9:02:33 PM

^ no problem...usually, i'd run to dan first, but he's still down by the coast, isn't he?

4/17/2008 9:12:03 PM

$600 for a new compressor! my god dude where are you looking at...hell?

4/17/2008 9:54:29 PM

compressor is 300-400, drier is another 75-100, and a couple hours labor, sounds reasonable to me, tommy would be the last person to try to rip someone off

without actually knowing the gauge readings, it sounds like the valves in the compressor have gone bad

4/17/2008 10:00:41 PM

quinn just remove the a/c, it will save you weight = better mpg baby!!

4/17/2008 11:07:25 PM

i got mpgs to spare

i dont want to drive around hot as fuck

4/17/2008 11:12:03 PM

any other suggestions?

4/18/2008 8:41:07 AM

take it to a few more places and see what they have to say. like buttsexs said, without knowing the gauge readings it's hard for us to tell you much

4/18/2008 8:47:18 AM

do you have any suggestions for where i might take it, or will anywhere do? i know people say tommy's a good guy, and he probably is, but it wouldn't be the first time i've seen a "good guy" say it's something like the compressor just to replace the whole thing, and then fix what's REALLY wrong with it and sell it as refurbished, and while $600 might be a good deal (that's supposed to be out the door), i'd rather spend less if it's something smaller like a seal or tube or clutch or whatever else can break on A/C systems

4/18/2008 9:38:39 AM

bttt...any chance this is just the a/c clutch, and would that be cheaper than the whole compressor?

4/19/2008 8:53:56 PM

possible but still need gauge readings

4/19/2008 9:03:52 PM

maybe a sensor but yea, i'm not in raleigh anymore so i can't help you much on where to take it.

4/20/2008 4:47:45 AM

Pressure switch gone bad. It shuts the compressor on and off.

Or maybe the AC clutch is gone.

4/21/2008 7:57:11 AM

^ those seem to be the most popular choices without anything definitive...either way, they're both cheaper than a new compressor, yes?

4/21/2008 9:37:05 AM

yes

4/21/2008 10:05:30 AM

i'm having king's auto service (on N west street) take a look at it...guy seemed knowledgeable and said they'd be happy to take a look at it and give me a call before doing any work (which i'm sure everyone does)...anyone have any experience with them?

called up 4 brothers air off capital and they want $90 just to do the diagnostics...is that reasonable? you know, i'm all for paying for work done (and granted, i don't know what's involved in an A/C diagnostic), but $90 just to find out what's wrong seems a bit pricey IMO

[Edited on April 21, 2008 at 12:51 PM. Reason : ..]

4/21/2008 12:48:37 PM

I'm kinda in the same boat as you man. My compressor's shot and I've been procrastinating till summer to get it replaced. My local shop quoted me $600 for just the compressor alone! (he recommended that I find one myself for closer to $400 and just bring it to him).

All the same, I can't argue with the original compressor lasting 15 yrs and 268k miles.

4/21/2008 1:27:33 PM

I haven't really used A/C in about 4 years now. My Wrangler had it, but I left the top down all summer. Same with the S2000. Neither of the BMW's has working A/C. One of them has a fairly new compressor. I should probably get it fixed if the compressor is good.

4/21/2008 1:39:40 PM

I don't use my compressor in the wintertime, but otherwise i do, esp for defogging stuff.

I knew my AC wasn't working, but the last time i was in the shop with the car my mechanical told me my compressor belt was all shredded and compressor locked up. Eeek.

4/21/2008 1:53:32 PM

king's auto quoted me $1600 for the compressor, flushing, labor, and tax

HOLY CARP

tommy's $600 quote isn't looking too bad...can anyone on here put in a new compressor and flush the system for less? apparently, the pressure is good, and the refrigerant levels are only a down a bit (but the king's guy said that wasn't a huge concern, since it's a 6-year-old car with the original charge)...no leaks in the system, either...they think the condenser is fine, too, though they said they wouldn't know for sure until they replaced it

man, i bought this car for $4000 2 years ago...if i wanted to spend $1600, i'd just buy a new used car

4/24/2008 12:03:13 PM

Quote :

"sounds reasonable to me, tommy would be the last person to try to rip someone off"

4/24/2008 1:32:00 PM

^ which is why it's sitting there now, awaiting a new compressor

the only reason i took it anywhere else is because i didn't know what it SHOULD cost, and it wouldn't be the first time that a mechanic i trusted just happened to miss something, purely by honest-to-goodness mistake...so he was right all along...now i'm just hoping he quotes me the same price he quoted me 9 months ago

4/24/2008 3:40:27 PM

Quote :

"can anyone on here put in a new compressor and flush the system for less? "

i would laugh in your face, but for now i'll say "i doubt it".]

Quote :

"I don't use my compressor in the wintertime, but otherwise i do, esp for defogging stuff."

you should. it keeps the seals healthy. it says so in your owners manual. which i hope you've read .

[Edited on April 24, 2008 at 7:22 PM. Reason : eh]

4/24/2008 7:22:03 PM

^thanks man. But yeah I knew all that about the seals and whatnot. What I meant to say was that since the AC quit back in September it hasn't really been a problem (not used it).

4/24/2008 7:50:49 PM

ah i see said the blind man

4/24/2008 10:50:51 PM

Quote :

"i would laugh in your face, but for now i'll say "i doubt it"."

that's very kind of you

oh well, $600-650 isn't too bad, i don't suppose...blah, there goes my economic stimulus rebate

4/25/2008 8:26:43 AM

^
Help America - spend your rebate wisely.

The federal government is sending each and every one of us a $600 rebate. If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, the money will go to China. If we spend it on gasoline it will go to the Arabs. If we purchase a computer it will go to India. If we purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras , and Guatemala. If we purchase a car it will go to Japan. If we purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan and none of it will help the American economy. The only way to keep that money here at home is to buy prostitutes and beer, since these are the only products still produced in the US. Thank you for your help.

Signed,
Governor Spitzer.


lol

[Edited on April 25, 2008 at 8:41 AM. Reason : loller coaster]

4/25/2008 8:39:43 AM