[auto repair] how much would it cost to replace an ac compressor?

If it was a freon issue it would be blowing out hot air. No air is coming out. I have checked other things like the belt and so on. It may not be a compressor issue but I think there is a very good chance there is.

 

No airflow at all indicates a problem with the blower motor or it's controls, maybe even a vent flap issue. It's completely seperate from the "freon" handling components.

Edit: You didn't have to resurrect an old thread, all the previous posts detract from your issue. Then again, there are those who'll say otherwise..

 

If it were a compressor issue it would still be blowing. You have a fan/AC control issue. Have you checked your fuses?

 

i say you save some money and pay SCK to do it. or at least look at it. seriously, seems like elsewhere you'll be charged double.

 

That's the thing, it is cool air but not as cold as it could be.

 

To the OP, there are many ways you can go about this...There are both expensive ways and more affordable ways to fix your a/c.... I can get a working used compressor for that car for about $100.... If you are looking to spend alot less money and fix the A/C right call this guy...832-289-9732... This is my mechanic and I only call him when I am completely stuck with something on my old supra..... He is by far one of the best I have seen... Give him a call and just ask him how much he charges to change a compressor on that car and if he can get you a used working compressor/new compressor your choice..... There is more to it, but let him be the judge of what to do.... He is actually an honest mechanic, dont know too many of those from my part... Anyways Good Luck with your a/c....

 

Have you ever gotten you car recharged? You can buy one of those kits at Autozone that come with the pressure gauge and hose and try to do it yourself.

 

I would recommend against buying an old compressor. No matter how good a mechanic is, I don't believe he can ever tell how long a used compressor will last. If you can afford a new one you might as well take the hit in your wallet. When I changed the compressor on my Saturn, it was a used one but the mechanic I chose for the job gave me labor/part guarantee and within those months the used compressor broke down 3 or 4 times. The only reason I paid for this was because I was just a kid with a sh!tty job and couldn't afford the brand new compressor.

 

No, I can't say that I have. What exactly does it do? How much does the kit cost?

 

It recharges the system with fre-on. The kit only costs 29.99, I bought one for my gf's car about two months ago. Just follow the instructions in the back of the bottle. There is a hi and lo pressure hose and you'll put this in the lo pressure hose in order to refill the system. You can also always go to an AC specialist and they might charge maybe $40-50 to recharge the system.

If the air is coming out cold, but not as cold as it would normally come out the more than likely culprit is that you just need more freon. I would say you might have a leak, but since you never recharged the system and you air still comes out somewhat cold, there probably isn't a leak.

 

$20 -50.

Freon is always leaking. It can leak negligible amount(doesn't affect your ac performance) or it can be a free flow.
If it's a slow leak, you may need to recharge once per year, or every few years.

If it leaks faster than that, you need to find and fix the leak.

If you want to recharge your AC, do yourself a favor and get a charger w/ a pressure gauge.

more info
here

charger
here

 

Thanks a lot. Doesn't sound like a job that is difficult to do. Is there any risk of messing anything up?

 

Nah you shouldn't mess up anything man. If anything look for youtube videos just to get more direction.

 

You can mess up if you overcharge, or put too much oil in the system.

 

Which is why you should pay attention to the pressure gauge LilPun.

 

Found a video:

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Is this basically correct?

 

That's the process Pun. What kind of car do you have btw?

 

Just a 2003 Chevy Tracker is what I am trying to get fixed. I have a 2008 Nissan Altima but I don't figure it will need any AC work for a while.

 

I found your problem right here...

Spoiler

It's a JETTA!

 

My problems with that car are well chronicled on this board. Needless to say, I'm sure glad I don't have it anymore.