AC compressor failure
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 3
From: Queen Creek AZ (SE of Phoenix)
AC compressor failure
AC just failed. took it to a local shop. they said the compressor is bad and to replace and recharge is about $4000! Does that seem right?
Thanks
jooboyle
2015 C7 M7 Z51
Thanks
jooboyle
2015 C7 M7 Z51
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,615
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From: Cape Coral, Florida
The book time is 4.9 hours which doesn’t include evacuation and recharge so let’s say 7 hours total…don’t know what their labor rate is per hour so let’s go to the high end at $200.00 per hour so $1400 for the job…$4,000 is a ripoff !!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 395
Likes: 194
From: Goderich, ON
Depending on how catastrophic the failure was, at minimum you will also need to flush contaminants out of every inch of the system and replace the desiccant bag in the condenser which is not a simple job. At worst, you will also need to replace the evaporator, expansion valve and condenser which would be a bargain at $4k. Or, you can roll the dice and just hang a new compressor on it and fill with R134A for a patch job that will result in a short life of your expensive new compressor. Get more details on the quote.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,177
Likes: 1,044
From: North Texas
Depending on how catastrophic the failure was, at minimum you will also need to flush contaminants out of every inch of the system and replace the desiccant bag in the condenser which is not a simple job. At worst, you will also need to replace the evaporator, expansion valve and condenser which would be a bargain at $4k. Or, you can roll the dice and just hang a new compressor on it and fill with R134A for a patch job that will result in a short life of your expensive new compressor. Get more details on the quote.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 3
From: Queen Creek AZ (SE of Phoenix)
Update on this AC Failure. Moral of the story, "It is always good to get a second opinion."
I was shocked by the quoted price ($4000) to repair so yesterday I took the car to another shop that I know and trust for a second opinion. Incidentally I had used the first shop before and always thought they were reasonable and honest.
The compressor has NOT "exploded" but the clutch has failed. The second shop has verified that the compressor is not seized and turns freely, there are no other codes that would prevent AC Request, the scan tool indicates AC is being requested. Clutch Fuse is good. Clutch electromagnet windings show an open.
So, the compressor needs to be replaced since no one sells just the electromagnetic clutch.
Price is now down to a more reasonable $1200.
I was shocked by the quoted price ($4000) to repair so yesterday I took the car to another shop that I know and trust for a second opinion. Incidentally I had used the first shop before and always thought they were reasonable and honest.
The compressor has NOT "exploded" but the clutch has failed. The second shop has verified that the compressor is not seized and turns freely, there are no other codes that would prevent AC Request, the scan tool indicates AC is being requested. Clutch Fuse is good. Clutch electromagnet windings show an open.
So, the compressor needs to be replaced since no one sells just the electromagnetic clutch.
Price is now down to a more reasonable $1200.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,177
Likes: 1,044
From: North Texas
In the good old days AC compressor clutches were easily available and replaced.
Since it sounds like the only issue is a bad windings in the clutch keeping it from engaging.
I'd be temped to locate a bad compressor with a good clutch and try to swap out the clutch especially if you can remove the clutch with out removing the compressor. If its possible it will save you a lot of extra work.
Haven't tried to do this in at least 10 years.
Since it sounds like the only issue is a bad windings in the clutch keeping it from engaging.
I'd be temped to locate a bad compressor with a good clutch and try to swap out the clutch especially if you can remove the clutch with out removing the compressor. If its possible it will save you a lot of extra work.
Haven't tried to do this in at least 10 years.
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Getting a second opinion sure was the right move in this case. That’s one heck of a price difference to get the car fixed.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: South Florida
I would say its impossible to run a legit auto-theme business and be successful but I know all the best local mechanic shops around me I visit frequently my friends and I see what goes on there, it is possible. So I guess some people are just scum
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 3
From: Queen Creek AZ (SE of Phoenix)
First shop was: AZ Auto on Crismon in Queen Creek. Normally they do good work but I think they just went with the first diagnosis of failed compressor and looked no further.
The second shop was: Bill's Auto Garage on E. San Tan in Queen Creek. They took the time to diagnosis the problem. They are far and away the most honest repair shop I've ever known.
A friend of mine took his 2012 Cadilliac (low miles, he has many cars) to a local shop (not AZ Auto) and was quoted $1400 for brakes (rotors and pads) they said they couldn't turn the rotors. I suggested he call Bill's who quoted him $900 for the same job. When my friend called the first shop back they offered to turn the rotors and lowered the price to $1000. He took the car to Bill's. When he got home Bill called him and my friend was thinking, "Oh boy, he's going to raise the price." But Bill said, "come and get it." My friend said, "You're done already?" "Yes" said Bill, "You don't need brakes. You have easily 20,000 or more miles on these pads and the rotors are fine."
Needless to say my friend now takes all his cars to Bill. At last count my friend had 25 cars, side-by-sides, and vintage collector cars. Plus a new C8, Z51 coupe.
The second shop was: Bill's Auto Garage on E. San Tan in Queen Creek. They took the time to diagnosis the problem. They are far and away the most honest repair shop I've ever known.
A friend of mine took his 2012 Cadilliac (low miles, he has many cars) to a local shop (not AZ Auto) and was quoted $1400 for brakes (rotors and pads) they said they couldn't turn the rotors. I suggested he call Bill's who quoted him $900 for the same job. When my friend called the first shop back they offered to turn the rotors and lowered the price to $1000. He took the car to Bill's. When he got home Bill called him and my friend was thinking, "Oh boy, he's going to raise the price." But Bill said, "come and get it." My friend said, "You're done already?" "Yes" said Bill, "You don't need brakes. You have easily 20,000 or more miles on these pads and the rotors are fine."
Needless to say my friend now takes all his cars to Bill. At last count my friend had 25 cars, side-by-sides, and vintage collector cars. Plus a new C8, Z51 coupe.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,008
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From: Kensington MD
Where do you go to find out what "book time" is for these jobs? TIA!