Ok gear heads, I need your help BAD!!!

[JackBurton]

Ok, it looks like my air compressor went bad on my truck and my air conditioner is not cooling. I'm positive it is the compressor, but the guy is quoting me $600 for it! WTF! It is a 1998 1500 GMC truck, how the hell can it be $600?! Anyway, is this the going rate for this part, or can you guys point me to a place where I can pick up a new one for alot cheaper?

 

[SilverTorch]

A/C in my '97 GTP is out as well .... I use a 2x60 A/C system

(2 windows down going 60 mph)'

BTW who keeps quoting you for that much?

 

[Brutuskend]

Go to a junk yard and find a used one.
That's what I'd do.
If I had air in any of my rigs.

 

[GasX]

Back when I drove my 67 mustang 50 miles each way to work, summer was a bitch.

I had to change into shorts and cover my seat with a towel for the ride home.

I feel your pain

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: SilverTorch
A/C in my '97 GTP is out as well .... I use a 2x60 A/C system

(2 windows down going 60 mph)'

BTW who keeps quoting you for that much?

Some freakin' mechanic my dad knows! :| I'm just so pissed now! This isn't a freakin' Lexus or anything. It's a basic truck!

 

[NutBucket]

They're not cheap but then again A/C work in general isn't cheap. $600 also includes an R134 conversion (so he should be replacing all the seals, expansion valve and drier). It actually doesn't sound that bad if that's the case.

 

What makes you so convinced that the A/C compressor failed ?

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Back when I drove my 67 mustang 50 miles each way to work, summer was a bitch.

I had to change into shorts and cover my seat with a towel for the ride home.

I feel your pain

Yeah, I'm in Texas where it is going to get hot REAL soon and I have to drive an hour to work. And MOST of it is in grid lock. :|

 

[RagingBITCH]

$600 for an AC compressor + labor? That's a fvcking steal, why are you complaining?

And NB - a 98 would (should) already have R134

 

[RagingBITCH]

Oh - and I drove 4+ years with no A/C in Dallas. Suck it up pansy

 

[SilverTorch]

Originally posted by: JackBurton

Originally posted by: SilverTorch
A/C in my '97 GTP is out as well .... I use a 2x60 A/C system

(2 windows down going 60 mph)'

BTW who keeps quoting you for that much?

Some freakin' mechanic my dad knows! :| I'm just so pissed now! This isn't a freakin' Lexus or anything. It's a basic truck!

That blows. I just said "To hell with A/C" ... drive fast enough and you will be fine .... unless you plan on keeping the car for a while.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
$600 for an AC compressor + labor? That's a fvcking steal, why are you complaining?

And NB - a 98 would (should) already have R134

Oops. Misread that as '88

 

[yukichigai]

It may be the coolant used in the system. Older A/C systems use a coolant that is very effective but also now classified as a hazardous material. (Damages the Ozone layer if I remember correctly) By federal law any work done on an A/C system containing that coolant requires a bunch of extra equipment and various precautions to be taken, none of which are cheap.

If they do work on it you might as well have them replace the coolant with the new, safe stuff. Not quite as effective but unless you live in some place like Houston (or Vegas in the summer... bleah) you won't really notice. (Even then you just have to wait an extra minute or two for it to get cool) Believe me, it saves money in the long run.

 

yukichigai

Refrigerant my friend, not coolant

When converting from R12 to R134a, you must reduce the charge by about 15% to 20%, otherwise your cooling will be greatly reduced.


What makes you so convinced that the A/C compressor failed ?

If you do not answer my question, I cannot help you.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Roger
yukichigai

Refrigerant my friend, not coolant

When converting from R12 to R134a, you must reduce the charge by about 15% to 20%, otherwise your cooling will be greatly reduced.

I see people calling it coolant bothers you as well eh? I went postal on some guy on another forum since I had already told him refrigerant so many other times

Anyhow, you combat the lowered efficiency by changing the expansion valve to increase the overall pressure in the system.

EDIT: I'm going take my wild stab at the clutch/wiring/relays are what's causing your problem.

 

$600 for that work is not unreasonable at all.

 

For all I know, he could be low on refrigerant and the low pressure cut off switch is not allowing the compressor to kick in.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Roger
For all I know, he could be low on refrigerant and the low pressure cut off switch is not allowing the compressor to kick in.

I hate leaks:|

 

Leaks are easy to find and repair if you have the knowledge and correct tools to do so.

 

[yukichigai]

Originally posted by: Roger
yukichigai

Refrigerant my friend, not coolant

Meh, I took a stab at it. All I know is it's stuff that makes the air from my A/C cold. Figured coolant was reasonable name. Now I know better.

 

 

[Quixfire]

There is a common problem on the late 90?s H6 compressors used in most GM trucks. The reed valve tends to be brittle and break apart inside the compressor. These small pieces get caught in the pistons and create a drag on the compressor shaft. This is noticeable by a clicking or loud humming from the compressor while the clutch is engaged. Usually this does affect the cooling of the vehicle until the clutch disc overheats and breaks apart, hence no more A/C.

The best way to fix this problem is to replace the A/C Compressor & Clutch assembly, Accumulator, Orifice tube, and flush the condensor to remove any remaining debris.

$320.00 - A/C Compressor & Clutch
$85.00 ? Accumulator
$6.00 ? Orifice Tube
$160.00 _ Labor to Flush System, Replace Parts, & Recharge System
$24.00 ? Refrigerant & Oil w/ Dye

$595.00 ? Total plus tax.

So you can see why it would cost $600.00 to repair your problem.

Good Luck,
Quixfire

 

[apac]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
There is a common problem on the late 90?s H6 compressors used in most GM trucks. The reed valve tends to be brittle and break apart inside the compressor. These small pieces get caught in the pistons and create a drag on the compressor shaft. This is noticeable by a clicking or loud humming from the compressor while the clutch is engaged. Usually this does affect the cooling of the vehicle until the clutch disc overheats and breaks apart, hence no more A/C.

The best way to fix this problem is to replace the A/C Compressor & Clutch assembly, Accumulator, Orifice tube, and flush the condensor to remove any remaining debris.

$320.00 - A/C Compressor & Clutch
$85.00 ? Accumulator
$6.00 ? Orifice Tube
$160.00 _ Labor to Flush System, Replace Parts, & Recharge System
$24.00 ? Refrigerant & Oil w/ Dye

$595.00 ? Total plus tax.

So you can see why it would cost $600.00 to repair your problem.

Good Luck,
Quixfire

:beer:

 

Wow quix, that was as good as or better than what I would have said if he had initially answered my original question, time to retire.

Edit;

In fact that was too good, where exactly do you live Quix ?

 

[Quixfire]

Sorry Roger, since I have been doing A/C work for the last three years I see at least 5 to 6 of these types of failures every year. I started investigating the cause after the third vehicle I worked on two to three years ago. That is went I discover the above-mentioned scenario in almost all the H6 compressors I have serviced since then.

You question is still very valid and I wouldn't just replace the compressor at this point without verifying the actually cause, but that my guess and I'm sticking to it.