A/C Compressor install
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 65
Be careful, seems to inexpensive, if the compressor had a catastrophic failure the system needs to be flushed to clean debri or it will be circulating metal into a new compressor. In addition, the dryer/accumulator and condenser needs to be be replaced.can flush debri from them. I just did mine the compressor lost suction, without a catastrophic failure so I was a luckier than most, parts from Rockauto are ~$400 ( all 4 Seasons brand (I've had good luck with them in the past) new compressor, strainer, accumulator, condenser and water pump gasket set) can't imagine labor being less than a day, use the appropriate shop rate for you area. Bottom line if you hand the shop all new parts I'd figure $1,200 labor
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Be careful, seems to inexpensive, if the compressor had a catastrophic failure the system needs to be flushed to clean debri or it will be circulating metal into a new compressor. In addition, the dryer/accumulator and condenser needs to be be replaced.can flush debri from them. I just did mine the compressor lost suction, without a catastrophic failure so I was a luckier than most, parts from Rockauto are ~$400 ( all 4 Seasons brand (I've had good luck with them in the past) new compressor, strainer, accumulator, condenser and water pump gasket set) can't imagine labor being less than a day, use the appropriate shop rate for you area. Bottom line if you hand the shop all new parts I'd figure $1,200 labor
For giggles, I just looked. Book time on a compressor R&R is 2.7. Add an hour for evac and recharge.
Last edited by Stingroo; Aug 18, 2020 at 08:57 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,296
Likes: 1,531
From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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2016 C5 of Year Finalist
own parts. Problem is No warrenty from the shop. You can count
on a dealer or franchised shop , will not let the customer bring their
own parts. The shop wants to charge you more for the parts.
Best bet find a shop you can trust and will do a good job for you.
Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
The job is very doable and not too difficult if you have a lift, or even a garage with jacks. It took me about 1 full day with no previous experience. It also took me long because it was so damn hot that the heat slowed me down, but under a cool garage, it's not hard. Recommendation: Get the Oring Kit because some of these aftermarket parts have orings that are not as good as OEM, and sometimes you need to play with different orings if you have a leak. I had 2 separate leaks after putting things together, on the orings, but I figured it out.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,430
Likes: 4,829
From: BEST Corn-Nation
2015 C5 of the Year Winner
That's very reasonable. I was quoted right around $1200 like 4 years ago. It wasn't leaking that bad at the time so I let it get worse before I changed it myself 3 years later when it got really bad. Depending on how old your water pump is you might want to consider doing that also while it's off.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
$900 for parts and labor is a pretty reasonable price for that job. Probably 5 total hours of labor with compressor, condenser, drier, evac and recharge, and the rest is parts. Not terrible.
I won't do the job again, I'll tell you that much. Next time I'll pay for it.
Although I bet having stock manifolds makes it much easier. With my headers, it wasn't fun.
I won't do the job again, I'll tell you that much. Next time I'll pay for it.
Although I bet having stock manifolds makes it much easier. With my headers, it wasn't fun.
Last edited by Stingroo; Aug 19, 2020 at 11:23 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 119
Having done the job myself, I'd expect a shop to charge more frankly. That being said, it's not THAT hard if you're competent. Really the only hard part was getting a measured amount of refrigerant in there. I'm almost positive I didn't get that exactly right, but it was close enough to work well.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 594
Likes: 194
From: Back in North Central OH
I just had mine done. I bought Delphi replacement parts. Around $350. Checked a couple of different shops. Ended up taking it to the dealership since prices weren't much different. $740.
