Air Conditioner Pricing Question

[citizen@large]

Wow, I'm glad mine works. Shoot though, I don't even use it unless I just feel like it, which is mostly never. At the proposed costs, I might just look for a new rig. But that's me.

[vroom20]

So here's the update on my situation. I was able to find a shop to evac now and fill / check for leaks later. The cost of the service is going to be about $80. It took a while to find someone willing to help me out, but the key was finding a local gas station mechanic with the equipment rather than buying any extra tools myself. This was the less expensive option, unless I wanted to make A/C work part time career. So far the job is costing me about $400 and an afternoon of work.

I origionally took my jeep in to have the A/C diagnosed at a big name shop. They were fairly thorough and determined the problem to be the compressor. They wanted to charge me $1200 for the repair - $900 in parts alone. I put the job off until I could find a better deal on parts and the time to do it myself.

My jeep is paid for and in excelent mechanical shape (except for the A/C). No need to get rid of it now. As the saying goes "jeeps dont die, they just get rebuilt." Besides, I have a bet with my brother in law to see who's suv will last longest. His Toyota died about 185k. I plan to get to 300k before I get something new.

[AlohaBra]

Good for you. So the AC is working now?

[bmwgolfguy]

I am no mechanic. I bought my son an 01 with 83K miles on it and no A/C working.

My mechanic told me the usual problem is a leak somewhere in the system. If that is the case, it usually is labor intensive at that point trying to pinpoint the leak. He told me it could run $800.00 to fix. As it turns out, it was a leak and they found it pretty quick. I guess they have some real good equipment for just this problem.

Good Luck!

[AlohaBra]

Leaks are not hard to find. They make an electronic leak detector.

Only the evaporator is hard to change, everthing else is not that hard.

[citizen@large]

Hmm... the evaporator is the difficult part. Thanks Bra, I'll be remembering that tidbit. Along w/the electro' detector... Why is it hard though? To change? Please explain. IF you have the time... Thanks again.