I have a 1997 5sp maxima that is having a compressor problem. Ever time that i start the car it makes a grinding sound that is coming from the passenger side of the engine, the pulley of the a/c is wanting to move but doesn't. The mechanic say that the compressor is shot to shyt and that i need a new compressor, dryer and new belt. Are they lieing? don't know! The sad part about this story is that it's gonna cost $1300 to repair. Has anybody ever had a compressor/ a/c problem before? Am i getting rammed up the a$$ with this price? Does anybody know about this stuff? I just don't have the money to pay for this, all sugguestion will help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Just because a mechanic tells you something that you don't want to hear doesn't mean that they're lying. If you don't believe him then get another mechanic to look at it. C'mon, use some sense.

 

hi.

if the case is so, go to a nearby battery shop and have the alternator rebuilt. it should cost about 90 bucks

then, the belt, about 15 from autozone, or 23 from napa.

drier is 80 from most shops.

and R134 kit is 30 bucks.

but if you are not gonna do these, give it to a shop and they'll charge about $300-400 labor + parts.

luck.

 

Good point slizan but this mechanic also charged me 495.00 to install eibachs and KYBs in my 300zx(RIP).That was a f&*k up the a$$ and I just don't want to pay for something that might be less than it really is!

I just want to know if any one has gotten a price like this to fix a a/c compressor, if not what was? And do you think that i could do this myself?

 

what is the R134 kit?

 

Ok...let me get this straight...you feel that you got financially raped by a mechanic (300zx), and when you need more work done (Max)...you're gonna go to that same mechanic?

Pass the crackpipe, please.

 

Find a different mechanic. Maybe one that specializes in Nissans or A/C. I think that $1300 is a little high so like i said look around for someone else. I don't think that this is a job for a novice to try.

 

Guy , what are you smokin? you gotta start fixin some off this stuff your self, these guys are rippin you!

 

Now now...no need for violence

Some people have no choice other than to take their car to a mechanic. They may live in an apartment building that doesn't allow working on cars.

If this is not the case, and you could've done it yourself...well...


Bottom line takentomax...you were taken to the max

takentomax -> <- mechanic

 

well thanks for all the kindness. I know what i have to do.

 

We're just hackin' on ya...

Seriously, though...I'd get another mechanic if you feel he's not being honest with you.

 

It's a thing in a can to recharge your a/c system thing. Costs like $20-$30 at any auto store.

 

I'm sorry too

 

I bought a remanufactured A/C compressor from Nissan for $340 dollars. I paid a guy who works out of his truck to put it in(he has a big compressor and all the necessary tools in there), he charged me $120 dollars total labor. My A/C is nice and cold now, had this done about a month a half ago. So that price is pretty steep. First I needed a condensor(I messed it up by overcharging my system, when the original problem was my compressor) and a dryer, he put it all in and the total cost was $420 dollars for everything(he brought those parts himself). So I paid $880 dollars for all that. Look around.

 

is that a dealer price?

 

Yes, I bought the compressor from Mossy Nissan here in San Diego. You can also get it from Courtesy Nissan for $322 dollars I believe. The only thing is that you pay for shipping twice, once to get it to you, then to ship them your core. If you don't send them a core then your price is $20 dollars more. The dryer and condensor were purchased here in town by the mechanic (not OEM). I believe the dealer wanted almost $500 dollars for the condensor, but I can't remember the exact price. What I paid for the condensor was around $180 dollars and the dryer about $60 dollars. The funny thing was that the mechanic could not get the compressor for less than $425, he told me to just pick up the OEM one, and that it was a good price.

 

well there you go...the dealer is cheeper for alot of items. on maximas main parts like that rarely go bad. the aftermarket companys dont stock them so they have a harder time getting them then the dealer. whick equals higher price.

 

The compressor on my '96 died once. The dealer replaced only the compressor under warranty, and the invoice (before warranty deduction) said over $800. Now with a condensor and dryer, I could see where they may charge $1200 or so like they quoted you. If my car hadn't been under warranty, I would have bought the compressor for ~$350 and did the labor myself. Then taken to a shop and have them evacuate (apply vacuum to the system) and refill with R134 for ~$50. If you are comfortable doing the labor, you can save a lot of money. The parts aren't that hard to change, but they are a bit pricey (more reason to save on labor). But when you are done, I'd have a shop apply a vacuum and refill just to avoid potential problems in the future (improper oil level, corrosion, moisture, etc...).

Dave

 

thanks guys for all the input.
I'll talk to the mechanic bout the input that you gave me.
i'm getting my car back today, i'll tell you guys how it goes.

 

It won't be worth having the alternator rebuilt if the compressor is dead. Compressor? A rebuilt compressor won't be found for 90 bucks.

Good advice. Buy the drier and belt yourself. The a/c kit won't work. You'll need to have the system vacuumed down to remove all air/moisture.

If you can do part of the job yourself, you can save about half your money:
1. Have whatever is in the a/c now discharged by an a/c shop. Now you can open up your system to work on it. $50
2. Get yourself a rebuilt compressor, drier, belt and some compressor oil. $450-500.
3. Add the right amount of oil to the compressor and drier, then install them and the belt onto your car.
4. Drive back to the a/c shop and have them vacuum and fill your system. $100.

Total cost, about $600-$650.

 

Well i got the bill and it came out to 935.69

They flushed the system and installed a new compressor(379), the 2 belts(15,26), gave it new freon(28), and installed the new drier(80).
The labor is what killed me... I think i need to buy a Haynes manuel and start to do my own work.

 

I feel yor pain. I just spent almost $880 dollars for my A/C problems about one and a half months ago, maybe two. $550 for my water pump a little before the A/C. I saved money by buying and installing my own hoses though, dealer wanted $327. I bought all the hoses from Courtesy for around $90 dollars(2 radiator hoses, and 2 heater hoses). This Wednesday I just dropped $625 dollars for my passenger's side wheel hub assembly, two seals for it, hub bearing, and for a new CV boot. I have to do the driver side too(hub assembly and bearing), but the dealer said I still had some time. My front rotors and brakes need replacing too , I will do this myself to save a little cash. I still love my Max though . For the longest time I had no problems then all these things began happening relatively close to each other. I do have 120k miles on it now. Hopefully the Max can hang in there for a while longer without major work.