Help! Can anyone in the field comment on whether the quote I received from my mechanic is accurate to the labor and parts needed for this type of repair? I have a 2000 Saturn whose AC went out last week. My mechanic took a look at it and said the AC compressor clutch needed to be rebuilt. After looking around town he couldn't find a shop that would service the part so he ended up getting the part used and installing it. The final estimate came out to be 400. Does this seem reasonable?
Sounds pretty reasonable. Most independent shops are around $75-$85/hr (sometimes less). To R&I a compressor clutch is about 1-2 hours and another 1.5 for evacuate recharge. Thats about $187.50 to $262.50 in labor. The rest of the $100 or so is going to be for the clutch itself, freon, oil and tax.
I had the compressor replaced last year and it was about 350. And the shop gave a 3 years warranty on it (if it breaks in 3 years, they will replace it for free, no charge for labor and the part). So you might ask for something similar.
Thanks for the breakdown guys. It's so much more reassuring to know the "norm" of what prices and parts should be for car repair.
