AC Problems

[Phoenix69]

Hey guys, my cars AC worked fine about a year and a half ago during the summer. I went off to college and discovered that the following summer my AC did not work. I took it into a mechanic and he said that he tried charging it and it did not hold the charge, and that there was a hole in my condenser which needed to be replaced. He then told me the job would run 1600$. What are the odds of my condenser having such a problem, and is the cost he quoted reasonable?

[richtazz]

The condenser is the large, radiator like part at the front of the car. Since it's out there exposed to the elements and road debris, there is a good chance it is the source of your leak. The $1600 estimate is absolutey refrickendiculous. The condenser is only a $200 part tops, and would only take an hour or so to change. Then you need to re-charge the system, about a half hour labor and $50 tops for the refrigerant and oil needed. I would take it somewhere else and see if they can pin-point the leak. You could also try adding refrigerant with dye and see if you can locate the leak yourself to be sure you're not replacing something you don't need.

[JonJon68]

I had the same problem a few years ago and the condenser part was 130.00, freon & oil was 30.00 with three hours labor amounted to 334.60. How your mechanic came up with 1,600 is beyond me. Avoid Him like the plague.

[Phoenix69]

If it is just a leak, how much would the repair cost and what does that consist of? I'm not sure if the mechanics were just entirely lying to me about the problem being simply the condenser either. What other problems are common in AC systems on a car that I can check for to see what exactly is wrong?

[JonJon68]

I'm not sure exactly what's wrong with your AC system, but on my 97 GT I had a hole in the condenser and could clearly see the leak when I tried to recharge it. Replaced the condenser and has working perfectly ever since.

[Phoenix69]

I was thinking of selling my car this summer. Its a 97 GT, has 60,000 miles on it. The only problems it really has is the condenser for AC which im gonna get fixed, along with a slight oil drip. It is in very good condition. Leather interior, HUD, heated drivers seat, CD player, trip computer. I got new shocks and struts for rear. New rotors and break pads front and back. New intake manifold, new radiator, new water pump, new catalytic converter, blower resistor problem fixed, fairly new tires, flushed coolant several times, new condenser and charge and have records for it all. She runs fine without any trouble. What do you think I should list it as if i do decide to sell?