how to fix my AC the right way?

[k374]

Originally Posted by Don in Austin

You can reasonably expect the parts that were replaced to carry a warranty. You can not reasonably expect parts that were not replaced to be guaranteed not to leak further on down the road.

Don in Austin

that is definitely a reasonable expectation, however one never knows what exactly went wrong, what was fixed etc unless they did the work themselves. Perhaps the mechanic did not do the job right and now simply says they it's something new.

This is not specific to mechanics, the overwhelming majority in any field are not good at their job. I am an Engineer and can tell you our company is finding it extremely difficult to find good talent, most of the candidates who come in with "years of experience" are just incompetent... I have no idea what they have been doing all these years, their Resumes indicate they are superstars but they virtually know nothing when they are tested. Then you throw in the honesty aspect, that a few people who are good will be dishonest and the percentages get even worse.

I will have to do some exhaustive search for an honest mechanic using reviews and my gut instinct I guess, I am sure they are out there but it just requires a lot of spadework to separate the wheat from the chaff as they say.

[himain]

Your AC system is a pressurized system. Just because you fix one thing doesn't mean something else won't pop up. Keep that in mind...

[waitingtundra]

Originally Posted by Don in Austin

Evac and recharge should include putting UV leak detection dye in the system. When we do it we inform the customer that the price for a free while-you-wait recheck for the presence of the UV dye, (works like luminal in CSI or Forensic Files) is included in the service and to call ahead when they are in the neighborhood maybe two weeks after recharge.

Don in Austin

Do this myself and have never had an AC in a car that couldn't be fixed. Have a small pen light that shows every leak instantly with the foresent freon, course if the leaks in the dash could be more difficult. Know mechanics hate it but have a set of gauges and a vacum pump from harbor freight, work like a charm.

[Cabernetkev]

Originally Posted by d4g4m

Most leaks occur at two locations. The seal of the compressor shaft and the refill valve. Indications are oily wet area at the pulley and a line of oil under the hood. And place a spot of water on the fill valve. If it bubbles, it's leaking.
If you don't want to spend hundreds of repair dollars and the leak isn't too bad, refill it yourself. A can of R-134 is about $10-$12 plus the hose/valve.

Agreed. Just get a can of freon from Walmart that has stop leak. So easy to add, just go by the outside temp and use the gauge. This will almost always get you through the hot summer. But if a person insists on paying 1200-1500 dollars to get your compressor changed, its up to them. but that money will buy a lot of freon.