A/C Compressor - 2001 - Small leak on ground- Questions for all you A/C experts.

[Homer Jay]

Bring the car back to the shop, and do not touch the system any further. Otherwise the shop can deny responsibility and claim the repair has been compromised.
As mentioned earlier it is very odd the receiver dryer was not replaced after opening the system.

 

[JGBuick]

if you have to evacuate at any point(did you NOT do the orifice tube?) then put a new drier on. it only lasts so long. it has dessicant in it

Thanks for the tip! Yes, at this point... I plan on replacing everything "needed" in order to reach my goal. (Yes, Orifice tube was replaced).

I have an appt. with another mechanic down the street. He will evacuate the system for me (And then I can replace condenser, drier, etc.) and then get it charged etc. But first... he want to take a stab at it... We'll see... I'm told he knows his A/C "stuff".

 

[JGBuick]

Bring the car back to the shop, and do not touch the system any further. Otherwise the shop can deny responsibility and claim the repair has been compromised.
As mentioned earlier it is very odd the receiver dryer was not replaced after opening the system.

Thing is.... Because of this, I have lost faith in them to do the correct thing. One would assume they would not allow a car to be returned to a customer with such marginal improvement. I don't trust them.

 

[lbear]

Thing is.... Because of this, I have lost faith in them to do the correct thing. One would assume they would not allow a car to be returned to a customer with such marginal improvement. I don't trust them.

how much did they charge $$ you?

if you paid by credit card, you can dispute the charge

 

[JGBuick]

how much did they charge $$ you?

if you paid by credit card, you can dispute the charge

I did. It was approximately $900 They didn't push the the secondary option which was to replace "Everything" for $1,499. I told them I was already pushing the limit as my "Belief" was that compressor O-rings could be replaced and the system brought back to "normal". They told me that replacing O-rings meant dissembling the compressor and it (Their words - "Not worth the labor and better to replace the compressor".)

Lastly... they claimed the marginal 60deg performance was because I didn't go with the entire "everything package" and the issue was most likely a clogged condenser. Now that I know a LOT more about A/C systems... I think they should have done a better job getting cooler temps...

I suppose I could fight it..but??? Wouldn't this be a tough case because they actually did the work? Temperature is a subjective observation.

 

[-Regal-]

Sounds to me like a bottle of sealant and a bottle of refrigerant added in your driveway would have been the way to go. Not a perfect fix but the price is right and it would either work or not, and if not the $1500 could be spent to replace everything. It's all I did and for two years I have had working AC. Here 134a is unavailable without a license but I used R12a (unavailable in the US) which blows colder. We had record breaking temperatures last summer and the AC worked great.

 

[JGBuick]

Sounds to me like a bottle of sealant and a bottle of refrigerant added in your driveway would have been the way to go. Not a perfect fix but the price is right and it would either work or not, and if not the $1500 could be spent to replace everything. It's all I did and for two years I have had working AC. Here 134a is unavailable without a license but I used R12a (unavailable in the US) which blows colder. We had record breaking temperatures last summer and the AC worked great.

Yeah, I wasn't expecting to replace anything...more like "replace" seals and evacuate the system... $3-400 tops. Sigh.... A/C work has always been my nemesis. That's why I try to do everything else on my own...

 

[lbear]

I did. It was approximately $900 They didn't push the the secondary option which was to replace "Everything" for $1,499. I told them I was already pushing the limit as my "Belief" was that compressor O-rings could be replaced and the system brought back to "normal". They told me that replacing O-rings meant dissembling the compressor and it (Their words - "Not worth the labor and better to replace the compressor".)

Lastly... they claimed the marginal 60deg performance was because I didn't go with the entire "everything package" and the issue was most likely a clogged condenser. Now that I know a LOT more about A/C systems... I think they should have done a better job getting cooler temps...

I suppose I could fight it..but??? Wouldn't this be a tough case because they actually did the work? Temperature is a subjective observation.

What is the shops name? So I can have my friends in Phx avoid them 🙂

For that amount of money the AC system should be working properly. While I am in a cooler climate, it still gets to the upper 90's here in the summer. My AC runs around 38-42F out of the vents while cruising during the summer.

Although a Phoenix 110-115F summer is tough on any cooling system that is not at peak operating condition.

 

[HotZ28]

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[JGBuick]

What is the shops name? So I can have my friends in Phx avoid them 🙂

For that amount of money the AC system should be working properly. While I am in a cooler climate, it still gets to the upper 90's here in the summer. My AC runs around 38-42F out of the vents while cruising during the summer.

Although a Phoenix 110-115F summer is tough on any cooling system that is not at peak operating condition.

Well.... as much as I want to let people know the name, I probably shouldn't ... Do a Yelp Search, they have 4.7-5 ratings... three locations. Not a big name.

What I don't appreciate is their lackluster opinion on the efficiency of my A/C system. Rhetorically speaking, shouldn't they have taken a marginal, compromised system and brought it back to life?

They effectively are blaming it on the few remaining parts that were NOT replaced. Overall... more PO'd at myself than anything. I'm going to get another opinion on it this week from another mechanic. I'll report back....

There's no reason the my A/C cannot get into the low 40's.... Let's face it... I put a lot of "FAITH" and "WORK" into getting this done. 😉

 

[HotZ28]

Thanks for the tip! Yes, at this point... I plan on replacing everything "needed" in order to reach my goal. (Yes, Orifice tube was replaced).

I have an appt. with another mechanic down the street. He will evacuate the system for me (And then I can replace condenser, drier, etc.) and then get it charged etc. But first... he want to take a stab at it... We'll see... I'm told he knows his A/C "stuff".

Any update on this other AC technician results? I hope they are EPA609-A certified.

 

[JGBuick]

Any update on this other AC technician results? I hope they are EPA609-A certified.

Not yet. Tomorrow is the appt. I'll keep ya'll posted and ask about the certification. Thanks for that!

 

[JGBuick]

Update: Just my luck... I get into the shop where this mechanic works (Firestone) at 7am this morning for the appointment. As I am waiting... I hear one of the managers telling a client on the phone: "I'm really sorry... but we are are closing the shop down for five days.... One of our employee caught Covid...."

I then turn to him and say... Really? Five days??? Yup. (Mind you, the A/C is now anything but cold... more like 70degs) Anyhow... He offers to send me to another friend that works at another location... So, Thursday now. It IS what it IS....

I am subscribed to the Car Wizard channel -

I love this guy's No-Nonsense approach.

 

[John Canon]

Update: Just my luck... I get into the shop where this mechanic works (Firestone) at 7am this morning for the appointment. As I am waiting... I hear one of the managers telling a client on the phone: "I'm really sorry... but we are are closing the shop down for five days.... One of our employee caught Covid...."

I then turn to him and say... Really? Five days??? Yup. (Mind you, the A/C is now anything but cold... more like 70degs) Anyhow... He offers to send me to another friend that works at another location... So, Thursday now. It IS what it IS....

I am subscribed to the Car Wizard channel -

I love this guy's No-Nonsense approach.

The Car Wizard is great! He has more pet peeves than whiskers on his chin!

 

[JGBuick]

The Car Wizard is great! He has more pet peeves than whiskers on his chin!
View attachment 38251

Ha! Don't we all! I love how he tries to tell people the truth and they think they know more... too funny.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

I did. It was approximately $900 They didn't push the the secondary option which was to replace "Everything" for $1,499. I told them I was already pushing the limit as my "Belief" was that compressor O-rings could be replaced and the system brought back to "normal". They told me that replacing O-rings meant dissembling the compressor and it (Their words - "Not worth the labor and better to replace the compressor".)

Lastly... they claimed the marginal 60deg performance was because I didn't go with the entire "everything package" and the issue was most likely a clogged condenser. Now that I know a LOT more about A/C systems... I think they should have done a better job getting cooler temps...

I suppose I could fight it..but??? Wouldn't this be a tough case because they actually did the work? Temperature is a subjective observation.

Sounds like they are engaging in something known as fraud

you, if you wanted to really go after them you could get other professionals and documentations..etc.. but if you have nothing to fear (like I wouldnt) I would go in and demand some compensation or you make the situation very public

What all was your work order? Can you show us? 900$ to replace a compressor and charge + orifice is just not possible unless you didnt supply the v5 or they found an expensive one to fleece you, and they are bad faith actors because anyone and their mother knows there are f$%king AC o rings at all the bolted connections, and threaded connections. I think some of the rear parts on the compressor MAY use a sealing gasket/washer but I dont recall.

And the fact they tried to shame you for the performance is simply proof they havent even bothered to Identify the issue, and they infact may have CAUSED the issue to try and upsell you!!!!

I just dont trust the refrigerant Charge was even measured out to, prob just enough to get it barely better so they could prove that it helped but they need more $$$ to do the rest

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

Any update on this other AC technician results? I hope they are EPA609-A certified.

I hope they arent certified pieces of shit, but sadly its looking like it. That certification is so powerful that it can functionally nullify any other expertise all in the drive to steal, cheat, and scam others

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

Yeah, I wasn't expecting to replace anything...more like "replace" seals and evacuate the system... $3-400 tops. Sigh.... A/C work has always been my nemesis. That's why I try to do everything else on my own...

if you dont mind getting a pump gauges and cans of stuff you can do those things like replace o rings etc. connections on the compressor have a hold down bolt and then both lines inverted flare

Something I just realized. Do you have your original compressor?


this is an R12 fitting but a V5 has a control valve(kinda like ps pump does) and if it was a no name knock off, it being too tight or loose in bore, not having the right o rrings, leaks.. etc.. shitty construction... i could see it all happening and making an otherwise workable compressor not

 

[JGBuick]

Sounds like they are engaging in something known as fraud

you, if you wanted to really go after them you could get other professionals and documentations..etc.. but if you have nothing to fear (like I wouldnt) I would go in and demand some compensation or you make the situation very public

What all was your work order? Can you show us? 900$ to replace a compressor and charge + orifice is just not possible unless you didnt supply the v5 or they found an expensive one to fleece you, and they are bad faith actors because anyone and their mother knows there are f$%king AC o rings at all the bolted connections, and threaded connections. I think some of the rear parts on the compressor MAY use a sealing gasket/washer but I dont recall.

And the fact they tried to shame you for the performance is simply proof they havent even bothered to Identify the issue, and they infact may have CAUSED the issue to try and upsell you!!!!

I just dont trust the refrigerant Charge was even measured out to, prob just enough to get it barely better so they could prove that it helped but they need more $$$ to do the rest

Thank you. I appreciate your sentiments and would agree... It's funny, before I picked-up the car they said something akin to: "You'll be happy with it... It's not as cold at idle but once you get going.... You'll be happy with it...." I was like...well.... okay then... I suppose they tested and measured-out the correct lbs of Freon and so forth... They SHOULD KNOW what they are doing... Hmmmm...

I drove the car today and actually found a pencil-dial thermometer and it never went below 65degs.... Yes, it's hotter than Hades out here in AZ... but STILL... I have zero issues with cold air in my other cars... As far as costs... It was about $800 for the compressor alone (Looked it up on RA and about $160!!) I feel really foolish now.... and well... Even if they made a profit on parts, it's still high.... The other $100 or so was because they thought the Orifice Tube would "Help some" but couldn't guarantee it.

I'm kicking myself... I could have done the work myself but didn't really want to dive full boat into it thinking I'd just have a compressor "leak" fixed along with some refrigerant.... Sigh....

I also got a text from them asking "How'd you like out service??...Would you mind posting a Google review..." Ummmm...

I've been waiting on getting a second opinion and that fell through today... (What company closes for five days because someone caught Covid??)
By now... haven't WE ALL caught Covid??? ^#%$#&%$#)

I digress.... sorry. I'm not responding or asking them for anything until I get this issue corrected. Once I get that... I'll let them have it. 🙂

 

[JGBuick]

if you dont mind getting a pump gauges and cans of stuff you can do those things like replace o rings etc. connections on the compressor have a hold down bolt and then both lines inverted flare

Something I just realized. Do you have your original compressor?

View attachment 38255
this is an R12 fitting but a V5 has a control valve(kinda like ps pump does) and if it was a no name knock off, it being too tight or loose in bore, not having the right o rrings, leaks.. etc.. shitty construction... i could see it all happening and making an otherwise workable compressor not

Nope, They kept the old compressor.