[modhatter]

It seems like my son's Toyota Tundra's air conditioner may be going out. I hate bringing my cars to the dealership, cause they are usually much more expensive. But as it is a Toyota and not an American car, I may have to. Have any of you had any experience with AC repair or replacement on a foreign car that you might recommend a place to check. I live in Henderson, but traveling is not a big issue, as this could be an expensive repair.

[airics]

Before you do anything, goto Autozone spend $40, and fill with freon. Check to see if it helps and lasts.

[Guitarmaan]

Problems I had with AC were solved in one case by filling with Freon using a kit from Walmart ($40) and the other case by changing the capacitor (just above the passenger footwell - see youtube for guides).

If the AC is not feeling cold enough, refill the Freon. If the fan only works on full blast, change the capacitor.

It's always possible there is a leak somewhere, but the cheapest most sensible first step is a simple refill. I avoid garages if I can because I don't enjoy donating my life savings to them.

[ft_chief]

I can recommend Japanese Car Service on Spring Mountain Rd. Look them up on Yelp.

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by modhatter

It seems like my son's Toyota Tundra's air conditioner may be going out. I hate bringing my cars to the dealership, cause they are usually much more expensive. But as it is a Toyota and not an American car, I may have to. Have any of you had any experience with AC repair or replacement on a foreign car that you might recommend a place to check. I live in Henderson, but traveling is not a big issue, as this could be an expensive repair.

I thought that the Tundra has always been manufactured in the U.S. with mostly American parts. Be that as it may, I've always taken my Lexus SC430 (now my wife's Lexus) to Carl's Cool Cars for diagnosis and repair of problems. (Haven't had any a/c issues though.)

[modhatter]

I went to Carl's Cool cars for problems with our two cars. $1,200 later, car was not fixed. Took it to Toyota and they fixed problem for $210. Same thing with Ford.

Thanks for tip on Freon. So I have to buy a Freon kit first before I can try and put it in? Never tried to put freon in myself. Not handy at all.

[airics]

Piece of cake... with truck off...connect can to. Pressure line...start car....turn ac on high..takes 15 min..can will become cold and empty... turn car off.. disconnect can..

And why anyone takes anything to. Carl is beyond me. He has to pay for the ads on angies list.

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by modhatter

I went to Carl's Cool cars for problems with our two cars. $1,200 later, car was not fixed. Took it to Toyota and they fixed problem for $210. Same thing with Ford.

Sorry to hear about your problems with Carl. I've been fortunate not to experience anything like that in the 3 years or so that I've gone to him. Coincidentally, I was just on Angie's List getting ready to write a report because I picked up our Lexus from him this afternoon and I noticed that his histogram shows 91% of 76 customers have given him an A rating, 7% B, 1% C, and 1%F. I'm sorry that you fall into the small minority of people who have been unhappy with Carl's work and I hope that you find a good mechanic to handle your automotive problems.

[NLVgal]

It could also be the cabin filter. That's a cheap fix, and it turned out to be what the problem was with my Toyota's AC.

[airics]

Cabin filter might restrict the ac. It wont completely knock it out.