damn, A/C compressor died

[thomsbrain]

blog.anandtech.com

The 'ol 2003 Accord's A/C stopped blowing cold and the local Honda specialist says the compressor is toast and it will cost $1000 to replace. Just in time for a heat wave, of course. I'm gonna have to let it stay busted for a few months and budget out the repair, since it's non-critical. I already spent way too much on car stuff in the last few months between registrations, insurance, tools/parts, a car cover, etc.

I considered selling this car a few months ago. Guess I should have!



/blog

 

[nakedfrog]

In my experience, AC systems tend to have problems at one of the two following times:
When it's starting to get hot out
When it's as hot as hell

I'm just lucky all mine have been minor thus far (bad connection on a blower fan, leak in liquid line, and undiagnosed extremely slow leak--three different cars, of course)

 

[LTC8K6]

Looks like the compressor is between $200 and $400 at Rock Auto.

 

[imported_Imp]

Be a man a drive with your shirt off.

The POS A/C in my old family car used to die around spring or late fall. We went a few summers without fixing the thing, ah those were the days.

 

[bruceb]

You may get the compressor for that price, but you also need a new Receiver Drier when the compressor fails. Add to that the labor to get to and replace it. On most cars it is down low and you may be able to get it out without a lot in the way. Other cars, you need to remove things like serpentine belt, brackets, hoses and who knows what else to get it out. Then the ac system must be flushed before the new parts are put in, system evacuated and leak tested, ac oil added and charged with refrigerant. So you are looking at about a 4-5hour repair time.

 

[DivideBYZero]

A/C oil?

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
A/C oil?

Yup. The compressor is basically a pump and needs lubrication. The refrigerant oil travels throughout the system, it being transferred about by the refrigerant itself.

 

[markgm]

You can get a refurb compressor for $200 online with a new dryer and expansion valve, $200 to install it at the dealer, and $200 to recharge it at the dealer. What a rip off it all is!