Entire AC system broken?

[Timp]

I just took my car into a shop get the AC checked out. I'm fairly certain they outsourced the work - but that's aside the point. The light will turn on, but the compressor will not engage. I was hoping all it needed was a recharge, but no. He called me back and told me that basically the *entire* system needed to be replaced. The condenser, compressor, evaporator, drier, AC clutch, everything and quoted me at $2800 - which is more than I paid for the car.

The car has been in California near the coast, and the AC didn't need to be used there and has been broken for years. I'm sure that plays a big part.

My question: is it normal for every component in the AC system to be broken like that? I called another shop and the guy I spoke with seemed a little skeptical, but of course that was only based off of what I told him.

Getting the replacements from scrapyards wouldn't amount to more than $400 based on what I'm finding, but the labor of getting it in I'm assuming is quite intense.

Any help/suggestions would be appreciated!

[bmwstephen]

hell even if you get everything new it shouldn't be more than $400 in parts. your guy wants to rape you and steal money through your ass

[rares]

hell even if you get everything new it shouldn't be more than $400 in parts. your guy wants to rape you and steal money through your ass

i agree... rape is the name of the game... do not do it... wow that is a ridiculous quote...

[bernzpeed]

if a human is doing all the labor to replace the parts, then i don't see why you can't do it yourself and save yourself a bunch of money. but I would start with a new/used compressor or replace the compressor clutch first. then see if that helps.

[nrubenstein]

Did they say why everything needs to be replaced?

[klavender1]

Isn't everything "technically" supposed to be changed over to work with R143a? They may be practicing CYA for any futures problems down the road. Or maybe they just don't want to work on such an old car. Have you taken it to them before?

[Ipaman]

Yeah thats a we don't want to do it price. If you say yes then they have so much in it they will make a huge profit. I do it at my job sometimes. :) If a customer seems like they could be trouble down the road I jack the price way up. Sometimes I get the jobs and still regret it. LOL

[klavender1]

We call it "marrying" a car. :D You work on an old car and other things are bound to break. It's then the mechanics fault. Doesn't matter if that plastic bracket is 25 yrs old.

[Ryann]

your guy wants to rape you and steal money through your ass

For sure.

The #1 cause of a compressor clutch failing to engage is a system that is simply low on refrigerant. Gauges need to be hooked up to verify this. If this is the case, your system needs to be charged with dry nitrogen and checked for leaks. It is also wise to replace your filter/drier at this time. Once the leaks have been fixed the system can be pumped down into a deep vacuum and recharged with used R12 or new R414b. So long as you don't have to replace any components (leaky compressor shaft seal or condenser) and the leaks are easy fixes (o-rings or loose fittings in accessable areas) the above could cost you as little as $250-300.

[Timp]

Did they say why everything needs to be replaced?

I ended up calling the guy who ran the tests and he said that he charged the system and found that the compressor was shot, and the wiring inside was bad. He said there was a leak in the condenser, suction hose and the evaporator. Along with that he just suggested that the entire AC system be replaced just in case anything goes wrong. He noted the coolant smell coming from the blower, and said that the heater core is broken and needs to be replaced - but I know there was a recall issued on those specifically. Can anyone shed any light on that? He sounded pretty convincing...

Stephen is right though, to get all the parts replaced isn't much at the scrapyard, even with warranties. What would you guys do at this point? It seems like I could either buy all the parts mentioned, replace them, and pay to have them tested OR get a new compressor, test the system and start from there but I'd risk turning the whole thing into a money pit if there were leaks in all those other places that weren't as simple as new o-rings. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[bmwstephen]

id start with one cheap step at a time. definitely replace your compressor with a used one. if you prefer a refurbished one, ebay sells them (surprisingly mine has been working for well over a year). then charge the system with a UV dye and start from there.

[Ryann]

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I'd still take the time to get a second opinion.