Something fried, smoke (or steam) came out the front of my car, now I have no A/C

[Dankk]

The cold air conditioner in my car broke down. I'm wondering if anyone can help me determine what specific part of the system broke, and what the ballpark cost of repairing it would be.

The only detail I can give is this: It happened a couple years ago, during the summer, when I was driving home from work. The A/C was working just fine, until suddenly I heard a hissing noise, and I could see steam (or maybe it was smoke?) coming out of the hood of my car. I had to roll down my windows because I think some of it was coming into the cabin too. After a minute or two, the smoke subsided and my A/C no longer worked. The fans still work, I can vent air but I definitely can't blow cold air anymore.

It happened a couple years ago and I've gotten by without it (only having owned old second-hand cars I've definitely gotten used to no A/C), but this summer is so hot and the commute to my new job is so much more excruciating that I would kill to have working A/C right now.

I drive a '96 Mazda Protege. It's been a great little car for me otherwise. I just want to know what it would take to fix the A/C. Thanks in advance.

 

[boomerang]

A refrigerant line blew. More than likely a flexible line. I had it happen to me once.

What's it going to take to fix? Assuming it is the line, the line itself will have to be replaced along with the receiver/dryer. Refrigerant oil will have been lost and will need to be replaced. The system will have to be evacuated, charged and tested for proper operation.

You'll have to get an estimate or estimates and decide if it's worth spending the money on a 20 year old car.

Just did a quick bit of research. The switch to R134a refrigerant started in '95 and was completed in the '97 model year. If your car uses the older refrigerant the cost is more than likely going to be considerably higher than normal.

 

[master_shake_]

The extent of retro fitting is just new style Schrader valves.

 

[Raizinman]

Rough Estimate:
Hi Pressure Hose $140
Receiver / Dryer $95
Evacuate and charge w/R134a $150
Labor = $150
Total should be over $500. This would be pretty much the minimal cost. They might find other problems once into the system.

 

[jlee]

$95? You can get a receiver/dryer on RockAuto for 11 bucks, and that's the expensive one. The high pressure line is a touch north of $50, but even with markup I'd be livid if I was charged $235 for parts that should be ~$75 shipped.