My wife's AC compressor went out on her Mazda Protege ('97), so I am letting her drive my car until we can get it fixed. Pretty hot down here in OKC, like 92-98 everyday. Anyway, it's going to be like $600 (installed) for a rebuilt one and you also have to replace the drier in order to validate the warranty. My issues with her car are; it is extremely slow, [:@] it leans in turns and floats over bumps like a cargo van, [:-] I never really liked the looks of it, intrerior or exterior [:'(] it's an automatic and well.... it has no AC [:@]. Truthfully, I really don't mind the AC being out so much because I usually drive with my windows down to save on gas anyway. I want my car back... Anybody got $600.

 

It's amazing how the garages almost always stiff you so much for any A/C repairs.

Years ago, I found a trustworthy garage that didn't try to rip me off. The owner (just a small garage) told me that there was a leak, and showed me that it was probably only the gasket going into the rad. I asked how much to replace the gasket, he said "maybe around $10". So I told him he might as well. It only ended up costing me $1.50 for the gasket, and he threww in the labour. Total, it cost me $100 ($50 to get it checked out and recharged, $50 for 2 pounds of R12 freon).

Since he didn't rip me off on the car, I also took in my minivan. Almost same thing, he said it had leaked out and was so empty of freon that the system just kept cycling on and off. It also cost me $100 ($50 to get it checked out and recharged, $50 for 2 pounds of 134a freon).

I knew I could trust him after the 2nd vehicle because he had 2 chances to rip me off and with either, he could have said that I needed a new compressor, evaporator coil, condensor, or anything, and I wouldn't have known if he was telling the truth or not. That's the problem nowadays, the mechanic can usually tell you that you need any of these parts and you have no choice except to believe them.

 

I forgot to mention that I went to that particular mechanic recently and found out his business had been closed down.......I thought Dammmmmnnnnnnn! Just when I found a reliable and trustworthy mechanic!

 

This is so true. It's hard to find good, honest mechanics. I have only two I trust on our cars. Plus, I know a "little" myself. It was blowing hot at low speeds and a little cooler at highway speeds. I emptied the freon from the system and then put two cans of freon/dye in it for a leak check. No leaks, but when I had my brother run the engine with the AC on full blast, the compressor started screaming with sparks flying out of it, and thus, $600.

 

Have you tried or heard of the new type of refrigerant? It's supposedly organic, therefore you don't need to be licensed to purchase it.

There's 2 brands that I have seen (haven't experienced them yet). There's Enviro-Safe and Red Tek, which both of them can replace R12 or 134a refrigerant, but it cannot be used in conjunction with them. You have to drain your existing freon then add this to the system. Both companies claim that the new stuff is more efficient than R12 or 134a, and can lower your temperature by up to 6 degrees.