I had my A/C recharged 2 months ago and it was working flawlessly. One day I jumped in my car and started driving when a god awful noise/smell came from my car. A/C started blowing hot air. I'm forced to drive it for a week in Texas heat and then took it to the shop today. All week it has made a loud rattlesnake type noise every 4-5 seconds when I'm cruising at a steady pace. I took it to the shop today and they said my bearings died in my compressor and this in turn sent metal shavings (WTF?) throughout my A/C system thus ruining everything. I've never heard of these "metal shavings" hurting anyone else's compressor failure. Is this true or is the shop trying to get my dinero? Couldn't I just replace the compressor or would more be damaged? Thanks a lot for any help fellas!

CHris

 

go get another opinion!!!! I had a shop quote me $1200 bucks to fix mine because a hose broke they said my compressor was ruined. I took it somewhere else and the guy charged me $250 to fix the hose, cleanse the system and recharge it. They are prolly out for your money. -Michael

 

well i do a/c work you can flush the sytem, but chances are you will not get it all out, i would at least change compressor, core, drier, and expansion valve, the condensor i would take out and flush it really good but yeah if you want it done right from my instructor " when an a/c system goes the only way top get it to ever work efficiently and right again is to relace the whole system" and i have went through it myself my compressor went out one time and i messed with it for 1 year changing this and that until i bought a complete system and done it like that it screwed up all the time, now with all new parts it will freeze you out. 1300 is kinda steep compresor reman. 350, core, 229, expansion valve 49.00, drier 79.00, the condensor is around 400 but you should be able to flush it also do the install yourself it is not hard just make sure to keep the seals clean. then have it vacumed and charged trust me it isnt that hard i installed mine with a lift in 3 hrs.

 

$1300 for a new a/c?! Jesus christ! On the options lists a/cs are usually no more than about $800! And you KNOW that they don't cost $1300 if a factory is only charging $800 for one!

Get another opinion. These guys are trying to feed you bullsh*t and tell you it's chocolate icecream.

 

actually that is right if he is getting it from GM compressor is 640 alone from gm drier is like 120. expansion valve id like 80. and core is like 350 plus labor and if he needs it condensor remember gm parts are expwnsive you can get this stuff as my post above aftermarket for around 600 for all of it i also know someone who is selling a complete system for like 50 100 bucks or so pm me if interested and i will give you his email

 

I'd definitely get a second opinion...my uncle's A/C died a while back, and he got quoted over $800...he went to this other guy I recommended, the guy fixed a broken wire, charged him $20, and it's fixed I told him he owes me half of the $780 I saved him, haven't seen a penny of that yet ...

Not saying yours will be a $20 repair, but it's worth checking into

 

i can tell you that if the comp internals infact did come apart you are looking at comp. drier, expansion valve, and core at least, and a very good flush and vac job make sure the vac is done for at least 1 hr to get all the moisture out and pull down to neg 35 psi to check for leaks

 

Thanks a lot for your help predator. Is it really difficult to change all these parts out myself? I know next to nothing about air conditioning so I'm not sure. How exactly do these metal shavings get in the system? Are 2 parts grinding together? I (obviously) want to keep the cost down as much as possible and am willing to buy used parts. How much does a vaccum and flush? Can I do this? Thanks a lot and I may take you up on the guy selling the ac system!

Chris

 

well i charge 25 to vacc and what ido is flush with alcohol then blow compressed air through the system no to much pressure through the core though. i use alcohol because it evaporates quickly there is professional flushing liquid if you want to call it that but basically alcohol works on the same principle and if you want to do it you can fix it remember if one man can do it you can do it also.....honestly you dont want to buy used parts trust me i have lots of exp with this stuff do not buy used unless you just absolutley have to

 

go to www.discountautoparts.com he has some good prices on a/c sys parts