YACT: AC Compressor Replacement

[ohtwell]

Anyone have any idea how much it usually costs to replace one of these. The one in my 98 Cavalier is bad and needs to be replaced. I'm trying to figure out if it's going to be expensive. I got a quote from Express Oil Change for replacing it, but I wonder if they are just trying to rip me off. They said it would be around $900. What do you guys think?

It's a 1998 Chevy Cavalier with over 180,000 miles on it.


: ) Amanda

 

[KoolAidKid]

Actually, $900 would have been my estimate as well. You may be able to save money if you can find a functional used part in a junkyard.

 

[DaTT]

Depends if you buy new/refurb'd/used. Install will be around $250, and you shouldn't do it yourself what with the refrigerant stuff all leaking out when hoses are removed, plust the system will have to be recharged.

 

[Blieb]

I just paid about $900 2 months ago for my 98 Chevy S10 with 110k miles.

It was about $4xx for the part ... $1xx for the system charge ... and like $2xx for labor ... IIRC ...

Real sting, that $900, but when it's 95 out in a few months, I won't regret it one bit!

 

[Blieb]

Oh, make sure they do the compressor (AND COMPRESSOR CLUTCH) as well as ORIFICE TUBE.

 

[ohtwell]

I think aves and I are going to have to deal with it being hot, if it's actually going to be that much. We are trying to save money now so we can buy a house, and we can't really afford that. This pretty much blows! Sh!t happens though.


: ) Amanda

 

[drnickriviera]

Prices from Autozone. Compressor with clutch $260, Drier $33, Expansion valve $7. What's 134 run now? $5 a can?? 1.5 hrs to remove parts. .5hr for vacuum. 1.5 hrs install and charge. I'd guestimate it should be closer to $700. But that is just a WAG.

 

[Black88GTA]

If the A/C job is to be done right....there are certain other parts that must be replaced any time the system is opened up. New/refurb'd compressors sold at auto parts stores carry disclaimers with them that state the warranty is void if these parts aren't replaced at the same time.

A/C clutch should be replaced (just a good idea) but most compressors come with these already installed anyways.

You will also need a new receiver/drier, (as well as a few other things I forget atm) for the repair to be done properly. $900 sounds about right...

I don't think I'd use a JY part for that though. You might get by with it...but who's to say how much life the JY compressor has left? Lot of extra labor, parts, and $$ if that compressor is installed and found to be faulty. Best just to go with a quality new/refurb'd unit right off the bat, IMO.

 

[Aquaman]

Ask Skoorbs........ he seems to be handy with the cars

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[thomsbrain]

they cost a lot. i think i paid nearly $1K for the compressor in my accord.

 

[Insane3D]

Do you live in a very hot area?

 

[FoBoT]

'98 Plymouth Grand Voyager mini-van, relaced everything in the A/C last year, $1300
not that that is a good deal. it is still breaking belts

i hate cars

 

[ohtwell]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Do you live in a very hot area?

I live in Alabama. It gets pretty hot here during the summer. Not too hot, though.

I told aves and he and I have pretty much decided that we aren't going to get it fixed anytime soon. We've been here in the summer without the AC before. It wasn't too bad.


: ) Amanda

 

[FoBoT]

you are obviously a native of alabama if you don't think it gets hot there in the summer

good luck :sun: :sun: :sun: :sun: :sun: :sun: :sun: :sun:

 

[m2kewl]

guess you'll have to ride nekkid!!

 

[ohtwell]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
you are obviously a native of alabama if you don't think it gets hot there in the summer

good luck

Yes, I am a native Alabamian. I'm not saying it doesn't get hot. I'm just saying that it doesn't get as hot as some other places.


: ) Amanda

 

[ohtwell]

Originally posted by: m2kewl
guess you'll have to ride nekkid!!

Nope! I don't want to scare the other drivers.


: ) Amanda

 

[flot]

Some more info would be good. Did it *just* go bad? How do they know it is the compressor? What were the symptoms?

$900 sounds a little steep to me - not TOTALLY out of line, but like someone else said $700-800 to do it right (means replacing more than just the compressor) would seem more reasonable.

I would think you could do it the wrong way for closer to $350-400. Would probably get you by the summer - doesn't seem like it's worth investing much more in a cavalier with 180k. (although you'll probably need it working to sell it eventually...)

 

[SuperSix]

Who told you the compressor was bad? Get another opinion.

If It DOES need to be replaced, you need the compressor, orifice tube, and accumulator.

The prices I am seeing:
New Compressor: $279.00
Orifice tube: $1.95
Accumulator $25.00
(Prices are from http://savannahautoair.com, my oreferred A/C vendor)


So $900.00 is a bit steep. I would get a second opinion - then shop for a better deal.

 

[Shawn]

I just spent $345 for a compressor and new dryer for my car. Of course me and a friend are gonna do all the work in his garage.

 

[ohtwell]

Originally posted by: flot
Some more info would be good. Did it *just* go bad? How do they know it is the compressor? What were the symptoms?

$900 sounds a little steep to me - not TOTALLY out of line, but like someone else said $700-800 to do it right (means replacing more than just the compressor) would seem more reasonable.

I would think you could do it the wrong way for closer to $350-400. Would probably get you by the summer - doesn't seem like it's worth investing much more in a cavalier with 180k. (although you'll probably need it working to sell it eventually...)

Well, it pretty much "just" got bad. It worked fine at the end of last year, but didn't work when we first turned it on this year. They recahrged the system, because it was completely out, and added dye to it. Within three or four days it wasn't working again and they said the leak was around the compressor, which meant that the compressor was bad and needed to be replaced.

I'm sure I could get it done in a piss poor manner for cheaper, but if I'm going to get it fixed, I'm going to get it completely fixed. If we had the money to do it, I would. The car is great and I want to keep it as long as possible. I'm not going to get it fixed just to sell it.


: ) Amanda

 

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by: ohtwell

Originally posted by: flot
Some more info would be good. Did it *just* go bad? How do they know it is the compressor? What were the symptoms?

$900 sounds a little steep to me - not TOTALLY out of line, but like someone else said $700-800 to do it right (means replacing more than just the compressor) would seem more reasonable.

I would think you could do it the wrong way for closer to $350-400. Would probably get you by the summer - doesn't seem like it's worth investing much more in a cavalier with 180k. (although you'll probably need it working to sell it eventually...)

Well, it pretty much "just" got bad. It worked fine at the end of last year, but didn't work when we first turned it on this year. They recahrged the system, because it was completely out, and added dye to it. Within three or four days it wasn't working again and they said the leak was around the compressor, which meant that the compressor was bad and needed to be replaced.

I'm sure I could get it done in a piss poor manner for cheaper, but if I'm going to get it fixed, I'm going to get it completely fixed. If we had the money to do it, I would. The car is great and I want to keep it as long as possible. I'm not going to get it fixed just to sell it.


: ) Amanda

Again - get another opinion......

A vast majority of mechanics are shady. Did you bring the car in? Or the SO?