I am just trying to figure out how much it will cost me once I put in my new(well gently used) A/C compressor to have it up and working again. I have never done anything with a/c except take it off...lol that was exciting...

 

If you get it filled at a service shop, they will try to BS you by saying that they will have to perform a leak check which costs more. I suggest that you fill it up yourself for under $20.

 

You cannot fill an R134 system after it's been opened. The system must be evacuated with an A/C pump and then filled while it's under a vacuum up to factory specs. It will never run correctly if you try to simply put R134 into it. The pressures will be to high and it will not take enough refrigerent to cool correctly.

 

A leak check is pretty standard. It will make sure that you
a) Don't have cooling for about 1 day before it fukks up again at greater expense
b) Don't lose PAG oil, and losing oil can fry the compressor.

That guy that made the post the other day about BS replies that can be seriously damaging - I thought it was a bit strong at first but now I'm starting to see where he's coming from.

 

I know you can't just fill it after it has been opened, thats why I am asking for a price range to have it filled and checked. I know someone on here has to had replaced their a/c compressor...

 

You'll need to replace the receiver/dryer (about 40 bucks). Evac and recharge can be had for less than 100, probably average around 80 but may be lucky and get it for 60. Call a few places and ask.

 

why is it required to replace receiver/dryer? what does it do?

 

It removes moisture (refrigerents enemy) from the system. If you kept the time your system was opened down to a very minimum, you should be fine with your old dryer. If the system was open for a few days in a humid climate, then replace the dryer.

 

If your compressor crapped out, it likely contaminated the drier. Its just good economy to check it out.

In case you haven't noticed, the price of R134a is a lot higher than it originally was. It will eventually be replaced just like R12 was. May want to get a small stockpile now.

 

97 Max, bought in TX heat shipped to germany. Now in KS, never had an ac issue. Just have the total system checked by a mechanic and recharged if necessary. Some things are better left to the paid professionals.

 

The reason I am replacing the compressor isn't because it crapped out, the clutch doesn't engage any more so it just grinds and squeels. but I intend to replace the compressor, and how hard is the dryer to replace? It has been open for about 2 weeks...but in az so idk bout moisture lol

 

I have had two different mechanics tell me two different answers and prices. One said that they would charge me for the refill and a leak test which will be $98.00 and the second mechanic said it would be $302.00 because my compressor is shot. Is there a way to tell if my compressor is bad?

 

ok, I had to replace my compressor over a year ago and this is what I did.... Removed the old one, installed the new one... Put in a can of oil for the comp.. and two cans of freon.. all the freon leaked out due to bad seals so i had to replace those in the two a/c lines.... long story short, I took it to the local oil change place and they hooked it to a pump to get rid of the air and filled with freon.. Get's cold on days 75 degrees or under and "cool" when hotter than that..
It used to blow ice cold before, but since the air got in the system guess it screwed it up... anyway if u live in a hot climate i suggest replacing everything.. if u can deal with the heat simply have the local shop evacuate the system and fill it for u... Mine just don't cool like it used to before but it beats nothing at all... Hope that helps you make a decision.

I see u live in AZ, so i would recommend you repacing the reciever/dryer and having the system evacuated and filled by someone.. U can buy R-134a freon now cheap, but the problem is finding someone to put it in for u... Don't forget to add the oil either! or u will be doing this all over

 

very enlightening...do you think ur a/c isn't as cold because youd din't replace the dryer?? or what do you think?

 

The dryer is a straightforward to replace. Two bolts to remove and one bracket to loosen. Stand in front of the car and look to the right hand side of your radiator. It looks like a long aluminium can with two pipes sticking out of it. One pipe comes from the condenser and the other pipe goes off toward the firewall.

Do yourself a favour though and don't hook it up until just before you have the system vacuumed. If not it will get to work soaking up the moisture in your system.

 

Leak test is never a bad idea, and that price is not bad considering you're getting a refill bundled in. If there are no leaks a compressor shouldn't die, so the first thing I would do is have the leak test completed.

The only way to know if your compressor is truly bad is to test the high and low side pressures. Ask the tech to tell you what the low and high side pressures are. What you are looking for depends on the weather but for an 85 degree day you're looking for anyhwhere about 190-220 on the high side and about 28-33 on the low side. Don't sweat if it's just outside these values. When my compressor was shot my high side was 130 and low side was 60, making it quite obvious.

 

Could be the type and quantity of oil. Since the oil gets water entrained in it, it's a good idea to throw the oil away that comes with the compressor and refill to spec with (I think) 6oz of PAG46. You can get crappier performance from overfilling with oil.

 

Yeah, i should have replaced everything, but i did not want to sink too much money into it.. I can live with "260 air" lol.... (2windows down drive 60) but it does get warm during the summer months are when u travel alot.. Also my car has 170k plus so it was not worth it to me.. It still blows cool so im ok with it but i would recommend changing out all components and doing it the right way.. think you will be much happier in the long run.

 

The long run may not be tooo long, but trying to sell or even get rid of a car in AZ without a/c is just retarded. Thanks for the help guys, I'll get my compressor in the next few days, I'll stop by autozone and checkers tomorrow and get a receiver, get it all installed then over to the shop and let them go to work makin it cold!