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So i live in Arizona and my AC has stopped working out of no where. Temp. stay on high end here until mid october, so i am in desperate need of fixing it. Two year ago, i struggled with same problem, got it fixed from pepboys for $450. But this time i didn't want to go to any other guy than dealer. I know you would say it's not worth going to dealer for such old car but i went there anyways just to get their estimates. So they told me i need new compressor and estimated $1500 ( for parts +labor), they said they will flush out whole system and put frions in it. Actually, they quoted me with $2200 but then after negotiating, they said they would get after market parts (DENSO) for me and gave me price of $1500. I know this price is excessive and i was expecting that but i felt that by making dealer do the work, i won't have to go through this problem again. Summers are crazy here and i just don't want to go though this again and i have feeling that if i were to go to private guy, i will end up with same problem again down the road. And i am in rush and i need this to be fixed by end of this week, i am pretty sure this private garages wont even have parts that they need for repair.
I don't want to pay that price to dealer but i don't know i am in tough spot. What would you do if you were me?
$1500 - $2000 for the work you need is outrageous. Go to a reputable independent automotive AC specialist. I good shop should charge you no more than $800 for the work you need and that's on the high end.
In order to make an educated decision, you have to look at what each entity will do step-by-step.
First, the dealer:
1. Purge the system.
2. Remove the defective part(s).
3. Install the replacement part(s).
4. Refill the system.
5. Check for leaks and to make sure the system is now working properly.
6. Hand you a bill for $1500.
Now, the independent shop:
1. Purge the system.
2. Remove the defective part(s).
3. Install the replacement part(s).
4. Refill the system.
5. Check for leaks and to make sure the system is now working properly.
6. Hand you a bill for less than $1500.
As you can see, all the dealership is going to do that the independent shop isn't is charge too much for the repair. So I'm not sure why you believe that a repair at a dealership is going to last longer.
Maybe this is one of those situations where aftermarket parts just don't hold up as well as OEM, but you've already said that the dealer is using aftermarket parts to get the lower price so that advantage is gone; and as far as that goes, you could have an independent shop install OEM parts.
I have an 03 Accord LX with 190k miles (totaled in an accident just last Friday, but I digress). At the beginning of May this year, my on-again-off-again problems with my AC had got to the point where it basically never worked. Would just blow out non-cool air, generally. Maybe a few minutes of cooling here and there but basically shot. Brought it to Firestone who told me I needed new compressor, new receiver drier, coolant. $1380 is what they quoted me.
A big decision as it just seemed like too much for such an old car, even though I very well could have driven it until 250k miles or more since I'd always maintained it and had no engine trouble. But, still, seemed like too much. Just wanted to get through the summer (which turned out to be sweltering) and go from there.
Shopped around to see what local, independent shops could do. Went to a ratty looking AC/Radiator specialty shop. They got it running perfectly for $470 - told me I needed a new compressor, but got me a used/refurbished one. Didn't need the drier.
Due to the accident, I'll never know how long the cheap repair would have lasted, but it completely served its purpose at a price I was willing to pay.
Shop around, look a local places, specialty shops. They understand the issue of owning an old car and wanting to fix it but not being worth it to fix it for too much money. They can get used/refurbished parts and save you a lot of money.
All this duster1979 posted is dandy but is missing one point.
Step 1
PROPER DIAGNOSTIC
AC never "just dies"
There are always either warning noises or slow performance deterioration that is usually caught on time and addressed. Unless OP drove with squealing comp clutch or system getting hotter for extended time and now has to rip the results.
Says who comp has to be replaced? Dealer usually takes most profitable job route.
Hence, it needs to be determined why AC stopped working. A blown fuse maybe?
AC never "just dies"
There are always either warning noises or slow performance deterioration that is usually caught on time and addressed. Unless OP drove with squealing comp clutch or system getting hotter for extended time and now has to rip the results.
Says who comp has to be replaced? Dealer usually takes most profitable job route.
Hence, it needs to be determined why AC stopped working. A blown fuse maybe?
THIS. Taking a 13 yr old car to the dealer for something that requires proper diagnosis is foolish. There are other (and cheaper) things that can go wrong in an A/C system besides the compre$$or. Many places will blindly throw a compressor on. The A/C, of course, still doesn't work and then they say something else is bad. Guess who still has to pay for all the repairs? Do these quick things first before going anywhere. Plenty of YT vids to help:
- See if both cooling fans are spinning when the A/C is on.
- See if the outside clutch spins with the A/C on.
- Change the cabin air filter.
- Look for leaves and debris clogging up the condenser.
There are a lot of independent shops that focus on one or two brands as well. Often the techs that work there worked for a dealership at some point. They have extensive knowledge of that car brand and know how to diagnose and repair issues.
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