Auto Air Conditioning.. Am I getting screwed??

Question

1993 Ford Explorer. I had to change the A/C pump up in the mountains after the clutch froze up and cut the belt.

My mechanic now tells me before he can re-charged the system he has to replace the dryer. Then he will evacuate and re-fill the system.

Total cost $325.00 but he’s gona do it for $250.00…

Does this sound right ????

Thanks In Advance

Answer 1

He has to replace the dryer because he is filling it with the "new" freon. $250 sounds like a heck of a deal to me for a retrofit.

Answer 2

This is common practice if the system is contaminated with moisture and/or pieces of compressor. It is NOT necessary to replace this unit in order to recharge the system. Your mechanic probably only wants to insure the AC system is clear and he will be able to stand behind any repairs he does. Frankly, if the compressor didn't grenade internally I would charge the s*** out of it and cross my fingers. You are only talking about $20.00 in materials and an hour's labor for a 13 year old vehicle. 1993 is the year R134a really began to become standard equipped on most vehicles. If yours isn't, now is the time for a low cost retrofit.

Answer 3

Read carefully! When the compressor fails metal is thrown into the condenser (the finned metal a/c part located ahead of the radiator). Ford has a kit to put a filter in line to capture the particles that will clog up the orifice tube. Drier is on the low side in this system and will not capture moisture if the system plugs up. If the repair shop does not install a new orifice tube and filter kit you will travel 200 miles and higher than normal Head pressure that pressure will damage the new compressor. Please get the Ford filter kit and have the repair shop do the kit and cheep orifice tube when they complete the job you can drive on cool.

Answer 4

Yeah, that sounds about right. Have him convert it to R-134a while he's at it if he isn't planning on that already.

Whenever the system is opened for more than just an instant the dryer should be replaced. You can sometimes get away without doing it, but it's not good practice.

It sounds like you got the compressor replaced but didn't have them recharge it at that time. The dryer should have been replaced at that time and it should have been recharged then as well.

Answer 5

no matter what you do to A/C it's a rip off but it's the price you pay to be cool. They are telling you to replace the dryer because most aftermarket companies that sell replacement A/C pumps require it to honor the warranty. Most hard failures(A/C pumps) will dump a bunch of junk in the dryer if you don't change it it will kill the new pump also.

Answer 6

That's ($250) way out of line. A receiver dryer is the cheapest part in the AC system. Autozone around $10-$15. You are getting ripped off, my friend. If you have an R12 system, do not convert to R134a. R12 is far superior and will keep you colder than a popsicle. Get an R12 charge. You may have to look around a bit. Try a refrigerant recovery business. They still use R12 heavily in commercial industries.

Answer 7

I doubt the dessicant needs changing. If the A/C compressor was bad, why is he bothering with the dryer? Is it leaking by chance? Get a second opinion. If there isnt a leak there, there should be no reason for him not to recharge it.

Answer 8

greater recent greater costly automobile ac unquestionably has a clear out interior the sprint that desires to be replaced / wiped sparkling usually. you could examine with the broker or an automobile areas save for region if that's the kind of motor vehicle which you have. otherwise there is not something you're able to do your self besides making particular that your condenser / radiator is sparkling and sparkling of debris. additionally, you could pour a mix of fifty/50 bleach and boiling water into the vent below the windshield wipers (exterior) and that ought to bathe you interior evaporator nicely.

Answer 9

sounds about right.. maybe a little high.. but not out of line.