Quick advice needed....

[MKing7]

I posted a few weeks ago about my ac issues. Long story short I gave up and took it in. They say I need a new evaporator, clutch and compressor. $1400 in parts (about) and the rest labor/etc. These seems really high but I've never had it done. This is at the dealership. Any thoughts?

 

[BILLUA]

I posted a few weeks ago about my ac issues. Long story short I gave up and took it in. They say I need a new evaporator, clutch and compressor. $1400 in parts (about) and the rest labor/etc. These seems really high but I've never had it done. This is at the dealership. Any thoughts?

I would call Chrysler's Good will line and start a case on this.



More than likely they will work with you on it. I did that when my instrument cluster shorted after the warranty period ended.



I was satisfied with their solution.



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[MKing7]

Okay, just went to NAPA and found the compressor with clutch NEW for under $400. The evaporator was like $40. I have never done A/C work. Is this something I can do. I mean I figure I can get the old compressor off and a new one bolted up and connect lines. But I'm not 100% sure what all I'll have to replace to do it right and will I need something special when I'm done to charge it. Meaning, can I just fill it up with some refrigerant and my gauges or do I have to draw a vacuum with some special contraption? I might be willing to buy that device... . ug...

 

[MKing7]

I would call Chrysler's Good will line and start a case on this.



More than likely they will work with you on it. I did that when my instrument cluster shorted after the warranty period ended.



I was satisfied with their solution.



Start here



Contact Us by Telephone

1-800-247-9753

(1-800-CHRYSLER)

M-F 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM ET

SAT/SUN 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET

I don't know, I'm over 100,000 miles out of warranty... I mean I'll try anything but I'm pretty far out. I've wanted to learn a/c as it's one of the things I've never messed with. I just priced the bulk of the parts on Napa and I think they're doubling the price of parts so I'm not to wild about letting them work on it anyway..... I sometimes think it'd be cheaper to trade trucks every 3 or 4 years instead of keeping one running... .

 

[BigPapa]

The evaporator is in the dash right beside the heater core. I would suggest also replacing the drier and the orifice tube. You MAY have to buy a liquid line to get the orifice tube. Not sure on your model. Also, replace ALL o-rings.



You will need to evacuate the system. Make sure to look at the old orifice tube and see if you have trash in the system from a compressor coming apart. If so, I'd probably replace the condensor, too. You can sometimes get by with flushing it out, but that's a pretty big gamble with the freon without a reclamation machine. It will probably take 3 cans of R134. I just bought the same amount to recharge my system from the engine swap and it was @ $72 for three cans. You can charge it yourself, all you need is a hose. The evaporator is going to be the hard part.

 

[SHobbs]

MKing7,

Call them, never hurts to try. My truck was nine years old and they paid for the labor ( $500 ) to replace the top of my dash that was falling apart. Think I had over 220k miles on it at the time.

 

[HBarlow]

You could probably have purchased a new Dodge OEM ac compressor and clutch from a MOPAR online parts dealer like MOPAR4LESS for less than $400. I paid $200+ for one with shipping to IN in 2007. I'm sure prices have gone up since then.

 

[seafish]

I wouldn't necessarily trust a dealership diagnosis unless you know full well that they have a competent mechanic and decent service manager.

Maybe a second opinion form an independent AC shop WITHOUT letting them know the previous diagnosis. Of course, you'll need competent and honest ac shop, but that is where google and yelp.com are your freinds.

Just my . 02.

 

[leaky gasket]

I would definitely get a second opinion. especially if a evaporator is involved, as far as I the only thing that makes one bad is a leak in it.

 

[Cosmo]

Why an evaporator AND compressor? If the evaporator is leaking, the compressor should shut off with the low pressure and not fail due to lack of lubrication.

Get a second opinion for sure, and have them show/tell you what the issue is. If they use a sniffer down the vent make sure the fan isn't blowing. There should be a sticker on your core support saying how many ounces the system takes. It's best to put the system in a vacuum if it has been opened up, and you'll need to add an appropriate amount of PAG oil to the system when you replace components.

You're not apt to spend the $xxxx (four digits) for an A/C machine, although you may find one used for $500 in quasi-working condition.


I was a subaru mechanic at a group with a dodge shop down the street, and we ended up getting a truck traded in because of A/C issues - the guy put in an aftermarket compressor, evaporator, condenser, and several thousand bucks worth of labor (at the dealership) and then traded it in because they still couldn't solve his issue. I found that the new compressor was leaking out the shaft.

 

[BigPapa]

Forgot the oil, Cosmo. Good catch.