Latest Update: ....The latest on the A/C saga.... (Warning... Long story)
Took my car into the local Firestone shop and explained to their A/C technician the sequence of events and why I was asking for a second opinion.
He was a good dude and listened to the story, and i kept it minimal. He said he would place some gauges on it and get back with me. Sooo...
Firestone's results: (Pressure etc.) 68psi low / 178psi High. Even I know those numbers are off the mark. He looked at the Orifice Tube and said he could see Metal shavings around it. (Previous shop mentioned this and showed me the old Orifice Tube but didn't say it was anything but "normal" sediment etc.)
The tech's advice was this: He said he the pressures were way off and based on what he could tell, he suggested an entire "Kit". I asked him what that entailed. "Everything except the evaporator. Drier, condenser, Orifice Tube AND...AND..AND........ a NEW COMPRESSOR."
I flat out told him that I was expecting the other parts, but a NEW compressor?? Really... IT IS "NEW".
Anyhow.... They charged me $10 and suggested I call the previous shop and complain (I did) and work something out. Sooo...
I called the shop that "only" replaced the Compressor and Orifice Tube. I told them about my problem and they basically stated their position that from the beginning, they recommended a "FULL KIT" in order to get the most out of the repair. (Yes. I was offered this and don't deny it - I just wasn't ready to spend $1,700 for an entire NEW AC system. $900+ was bad enough...)
And honestly, perhaps my own ignorance played a big part... But, since the car only had 60k on her, (And other than not blowing cold and some compressor oil on the floor.) I though maybe....maybe a new compressor at the most.
So.... I asked what they could do for me to correct my problem. They were nice enough and acknowledged the problem... said they would do their best to get the rest of the parts near cost and offered to install these and evacuate the system for no charge. Simply put... for another $700+ I'm replacing everything minus the compressor they just replaced.
Sheesh... I was really kicking myself for starting into this in the first place. Yeah, I suppose I "Should have" gone down that road, but??? I had my KIA's compressor replaced (only) by my old A/C guy and it's been awesome. What do I know...?? Maybe people just replace everything nowadays. This whole thing started because I like to stay on-top of things and noticed a leak on the garage floor.... Sigh......
So......
Plan B - I suggested an alternative. In this new plan... I would purchase a new Condenser, Drier, Orifice Tube and flush the system myself.
I can get all these parts for less than $150 and do it myself. From there - They would evacuate the system and recharge everything at no cost.
So ultimately, they are willing to help-out on that end if I replace those other parts myself and put everything back together. I think that was fair and certainly a goodwill offer on their part.
So that's the plan right now... I'm sourcing parts and doing research on the flushing part. (I have an air compressor, but have never flushed an A/C system.) The tech told me I should go to the local parts store and get some A/C flush... then use compressed air etc.
So yeah... deep into it now... but hey, if I can successfully replace
intake gaskets and do most everything else, perhaps this won't be too difficult a job.
I just like doing things myself and knowing they are done correctly... Like many of you that work on your own cars.
Okay... any advice or experience on this is much appreciated. Thanks for reading this diatribe! LOL...
