Question about ac not working?

[stacerz4life]

I recently bought a 1998 pontiac sunfire, the heat worked all winter then when the weather got nice i wanted to try out the ac. It only blows out warm air. I talked to the people i bought it from and they told me that last year they had the same problem and they took it and had freon put in it. My question is, is this normal to only work for a summer then need to have more put in? Is it ok to keep adding this or could there be something else wrong that these people haven't told me? I plan on takin it in to have it looked at for this and a brake problem, but I am just tryin to be prepared for the worst. Any thoughts or help is appreciated!!!

[Robbie1]

It is possible that you have a leak in your system.
Go to the local A/C shop and they should be able to test your system.
Worse case, your A/C compressor is toast.

[stacerz4life]

Ok, I found out it actually is the compressor that is bad. I brought it to a pontiac dealership, and they told me the cost to replace it is $1,000. Does this seem too high or about right? Looking around, I found that the part is not that much...so I am assuming the rest is for labor. Is it really that difficult to replace this part, I am not exactly sure where it is located.
Thanks for your help (again!!)

[sunchic96]

I had to replace my a/c compressor last summer, cause it started making a whining noise then quit working. 1,000 is a little high if you know anything about cars or know someone that does it really isnt that hard to do. I mean it takes some work but I think its worth saving 1,000 bucks. I can post a pic of where its located if you think it would help. theres also 2 other parts you have to get for it too. If you still need help with this let me know and I'll try to get you pics.

[GTP Dad]

Go to car-part.com and find a good used compressor. If you search you can find a compressor for less that $150. Most salvage yards will also give you a warranty for 30 days or more. This should save you some bucks as you can change it out yourself then take it to a shop to have it checked for leaks and then recharged.

[Swamps]

Hi

I have a friend who is need of some help with his 1998 Sunfire, to me the compressor is toast, a new rebuilt A/c compressor is going to be $220, he doesn't really care about the a/c anymore as he has been driving with out it for a while now, I was looking at it and wondering if I could just by pass the A/C all togeather and just order a belt for the 2.2L with out A/C. That would be a lot cheaper at $22 for the belt, the belt for sunfires with out a/c is 63 inches, where as the belt with a/c is 87 inches. So I believe I can just by pass it all togeather, or did GM change pulleys and move parts around on the Sunfires without A/c????

Thanks
Casey

[stacerz4life]

thanks for you input and the site!!! i thought a 1,000 was a little high also!!! i have found a few rebuit ones for cheap, so we'll see how things go!!

Thanks A Lot!!!
Stacey

[Swamps]

Originally Posted by stacerz4life

thanks for you input and the site!!! i thought a 1,000 was a little high also!!! i have found a few rebuit ones for cheap, so we'll see how things go!!

Thanks A Lot!!!
Stacey

Yep $1000 seems pretty high to me, I know the compressor alone is only $400 dollars brand spankin new When you look at it there is not a lot a bolts to pull it out maybe an hour job if that, I know my neighbor would like me to help him with his and its the exact same issue, I'm doing if for a case a beer lol, and fill my car up with gas. But I think he wants me to just by pass the A/c all togeather. So he might spend a total of $100 dollars after alll said and done.

[twist_of_jay]

1.000 is way too damn high to pay for a compressor. go to your local auto parts store and buy whole new ac system for about 400 dollars and get a hanys book those will tell u how to talke out your old one and put in the new one. I'm getting ready to do that on my 99 sunfire, I will come back and post if it was easy or not