A/C compressor

[FieroBoy]

I went to a local repair shop to get an est. on my A/C it was like 35 for the diag. after that they called and said that the compreesor was bad and it was going to be 1200 to replace it.

[Ragtop_Renegade]

That sounds about right. There's a few things about A/C that make repairs expensive.

1. Fieros, like all cars up until 1994 or so, use refrigerant type R-12, more commonly known under the brand name registered by it's creator: (Dupont Chemical Co) Freon. R-12 is now classified as a greenhouse gas, and the US EPA has banned all manufacture of R-12 in the Untied States. That means there are only 2 sources left for Freon and other brands of R-12, either old stockpiles of it that were made before the ban was in place, and recycled R-12 from salvage vehicles. Because of it's short supply, R-12 is EXPENSIVE, costing around $100 per pound. (refrigerant, like propane, is sold by weight rather than by volume) The average system uses from 1-2 pounds.

2. Compressors are complex rotary piston pumps, and therfore aren't cheap. Old cars had compressors that could be disassembled and rebuilt, saving a great deal of money. Over time, manufacturing costs were cut, replacing bolts with rivets and one time press-assembled pieces. This eliminated the ability to rebuild compressors. This means the only option on a bad compressor is replacement.

3. Normally, when a compressor dies, the A/C drive clutch is already halfway past dead itself. Add another part to the bill...

4. When the A/C system is cracked open to repair a bad component, the material in the accumulator (funny shiny can deal under the hood near the blower motor) that absorbs moisture in the system will suck so much moisture from the atmosphere that it's no longer any good. Moisture is the enemy of an A/C system, too much will cause frequent "freeze ups", so the material is very important. Rather then run the risk of getting a return from a pissed off customer because of crappy A/C performance, most good shops will automatically replace the accumulator if they open up the system. It's not a scam, it's actually the right thing to do. Still, it is one MORE part added to the bill.

5. Removing the compressor on a Fiero requires either great time and patience, luck and a big hammer, or advanced experience in witchcraft. Hence, high labor charges. 'Nuff said...

6. After fixing an A/C system, it has to be leaked checked... not just to make sure you aren't back a week later to complain it's broke again, but it's also the law... thanks a lot, EPA. Add another hour of labor to the bill.


While you're at it, ask what the cost would be to retrofit your A/C system from R-12 to R-134a.(if the shop didn't already recommend it as the best alternative) R-134a is the current standard in mobile A/C. It's less then a quarter of the price of R-12,it works just as good, and should be around for quite some time. Retrofitting your system might just cost less then fixing the current R-12 setup. At the very least, it'll be done and over with and you won't have to worry about having to do it later when you need repairs and find out R-12 has been eliminated totally.

[Old Lar]

I dropped $1300+ to replace my AC system in my 87 GT in Aug 05. Which was about the same cost to replace the AC in my 99 Buick.

I've had remanufactured compressor in other Fieros and they last about a year. So $1200 + tax for new compressor and other parts is in line. If you live in warm/hot parts of the country AC is one of the nessesities of driving.