any aftermarket a/c compressors worth it?
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 64
any aftermarket a/c compressors worth it?
I'm debating replacing it vs just bypassing it and living without a/c. I've been getting quotes of around $1200 from local shops to replace everything (compressor, drier, condenser, etc) with new parts.
The lowest quote I got was $700 to replace just the clutch with a new one. But I've also had shops say if I can supply my own compressor they'll charge around $300 for labor and drain / refill.
Rockauto has compressors for around $200. I feel like $500 is probably worth it to me, however I'm skeptical of the quality of a $200 compressor. Rockauto has the four seasons rebuilt and new, but the new one is still only $250 for a kit with the drier. That seems really cheap and it doesn't seem like four seasons has a great reputation (though most complaints I read about were for the rebuilt ones).
Are any cheap compressor brands worth it? Either rebuilt or new? Or should I say goodbye to A/C and just bypass it? At this point I figure the car is worth maybe $2k at best (175k miles) so I just can't see putting $1200 into it for a non essential repair.
The lowest quote I got was $700 to replace just the clutch with a new one. But I've also had shops say if I can supply my own compressor they'll charge around $300 for labor and drain / refill.
Rockauto has compressors for around $200. I feel like $500 is probably worth it to me, however I'm skeptical of the quality of a $200 compressor. Rockauto has the four seasons rebuilt and new, but the new one is still only $250 for a kit with the drier. That seems really cheap and it doesn't seem like four seasons has a great reputation (though most complaints I read about were for the rebuilt ones).
Are any cheap compressor brands worth it? Either rebuilt or new? Or should I say goodbye to A/C and just bypass it? At this point I figure the car is worth maybe $2k at best (175k miles) so I just can't see putting $1200 into it for a non essential repair.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,974
From: Portland, Oregon
I'm debating replacing it vs just bypassing it and living without a/c. I've been getting quotes of around $1200 from local shops to replace everything (compressor, drier, condenser, etc) with new parts.
The lowest quote I got was $700 to replace just the clutch with a new one. But I've also had shops say if I can supply my own compressor they'll charge around $300 for labor and drain / refill.
Rockauto has compressors for around $200. I feel like $500 is probably worth it to me, however I'm skeptical of the quality of a $200 compressor. Rockauto has the four seasons rebuilt and new, but the new one is still only $250 for a kit with the drier. That seems really cheap and it doesn't seem like four seasons has a great reputation (though most complaints I read about were for the rebuilt ones).
Are any cheap compressor brands worth it? Either rebuilt or new? Or should I say goodbye to A/C and just bypass it? At this point I figure the car is worth maybe $2k at best (175k miles) so I just can't see putting $1200 into it for a non essential repair.
The lowest quote I got was $700 to replace just the clutch with a new one. But I've also had shops say if I can supply my own compressor they'll charge around $300 for labor and drain / refill.
Rockauto has compressors for around $200. I feel like $500 is probably worth it to me, however I'm skeptical of the quality of a $200 compressor. Rockauto has the four seasons rebuilt and new, but the new one is still only $250 for a kit with the drier. That seems really cheap and it doesn't seem like four seasons has a great reputation (though most complaints I read about were for the rebuilt ones).
Are any cheap compressor brands worth it? Either rebuilt or new? Or should I say goodbye to A/C and just bypass it? At this point I figure the car is worth maybe $2k at best (175k miles) so I just can't see putting $1200 into it for a non essential repair.
Sometimes your comfort is worth the money. If the car is in pretty good shape overall, spend the money. If you buy another car, you will be spending the money and more. The engines in the Maxima is a solid engine that will do 300K miles easy. But if you live in the snow and salt belt, body cancer will kill the car before mileage will.
If you decide to fix the car, find out where the new compressors are made. If it is China, go with a rebuilt. Chinese made starters and alternators leave a lot to be desired so the a/c compressor is probably the same junk. 4 Seasons is probably the biggest rebuilder in the U.S. If you search maxima.org you will see that others have used them and there have been some problems, but it is not an epidemic, just the reality of the rebuilt car part market.
If you are going to by-pass the a/c compressor, you will need a belt that is 920 mm (36.25 inch). The adjuster has enough play for a 36 inch belt.
If you decide to fix the car, find out where the new compressors are made. If it is China, go with a rebuilt. Chinese made starters and alternators leave a lot to be desired so the a/c compressor is probably the same junk. 4 Seasons is probably the biggest rebuilder in the U.S. If you search maxima.org you will see that others have used them and there have been some problems, but it is not an epidemic, just the reality of the rebuilt car part market.
If you are going to by-pass the a/c compressor, you will need a belt that is 920 mm (36.25 inch). The adjuster has enough play for a 36 inch belt.
Several retailers offer a LLT warranty on compressors if you also purchase other parts along with it.
Typically, you'll need to also buy an evaporator and a dryer/accumulator and an expansion valve.
I encourage you to do that ...
Typically, you'll need to also buy an evaporator and a dryer/accumulator and an expansion valve.
I encourage you to do that ...
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Neif
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
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May 4, 2004 08:53 AM
BRIGBOY
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
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Sep 6, 2001 03:11 PM