Repairing A/C, help please???

I have a 2000 dodge durango, my A/C is not working and I am going to bring it to a shop to diagnos the problem. I am guessing it will be problem w/ the compressor, or expansion valve , or some combination. Is the A/c system able to be worked on by the weekend mechanic? Do I need special tools. Should I just let the mechanic do it? To work on the A/C system I have to let the refridgerant out, do I just let it out the same tap I add it to?

Do not mess with the a/c unless you know what you are doing. The only way you may save significant $ is if the evaporator under the dash needs to be changed, as that is 90% labor. However, you need to be comfortable with disassembly of your dash without setting off an airbag. There is a great risk of freezing an important body part when releasing refrigerant (which is illegal anyhow, ) and if an air bag goes off when you are not properly seated in front of it, you can do yourself lots of damage, not to mention the replacement cost. which will be near $1000.

thanks, I will let the pros do it!

I have a bad leak in the dash and the dealer says the evaporator is leaking. To replace it they want 8 hours labor plus $350 for the parts, total of $1,200. NICE! I am going to try and do it myself. Anyone do this before?

What do they mean when they say "the evaporator is leaking"?

The evaporator contains refrigerant, and if that is what is leaking, to fix it yourself you need air conditioning service tools. For example, vacuum pump, pressure and vacuum gauges, and so forth. Also need to cut and re-solder refrigerant lines and so forth. Not a DIY project for most people.

If they mean condensate (water) is leaking from the drain pan as it drips off the evaporator, then that's a very different story. Certainly do-able by a home mechanic. Probably means major disassembly of the dash, and that's likely what the majority of the $850 labor is (ouch, that's like $106 an hour). I haven't done this dash disassembly....perhaps others can comment on how difficult that is. Oh and by the way, and I don't know what "parts" they would be talking about for $350 if it is a drainage problem.

Good luck.

Repairing A/C To replace any component in airconditioning ,requires a certified mechanic. The refrigrant has to be recycled and reused. This process requires special recycle equipment. Anyone can replace the parts after the ref. has been removed. But to recharge it and add proper amount of oil,rerquires special equipment. Shop around for honest repair person. Good luck. Ben

If you are doing it yourself. Some shops will pump them down for the freon. Always disconnect the battery ground before working under the dash. If it takes a shop 8hrs. it will take you at least 3 days work. I did one on my Dakota and it was harder than I expected but not as bad as my T-bird 1985.
You might also have to buy a few tools depending on what you have.
Buy a Haynes manual and read it throughly before starting. It will show some pictures.
Remember you have to pull a vacuum before installing new refrigerant. You can't buy R-12 but you can purchase newer refrigerant.