Quick car help. wifes car at dealer right now

[Chad4000]

A/C went out in the car. car is at ed bozarth dealer. they are apparently telling her that the "the entire axle of my a/c compressor broke off and fell out the bottom of my car….." (quote from wifes email)

umm... im not exactly a mechanic but what the fuck are they talking about right now? could be talking about the pully assembly? but wouldnt that have resulted in the belt coming off, thus resulting in more problems like the car dying etc?

2005 ish chevy malibu hybrid (dont tell everybody around town its a hybrid ok lol).

[Ronin13]

A/C Compressor axle? Yeah sounds like they're trying to scam the hell out of your wife... tell her to get outta there and go to a different mechanic. At least that's what I'd do.

[OtterbatHellcat]

A compressor can lock up and blow apart the clutch and shaft, and the pulley can remain in tact....thus the belt will stay on.

Seen some weird stuff happen like that, but it does and can happen.

[Chad4000]

A/C Compressor axle? Yeah sounds like they're trying to scam the hell out of your wife... tell her to get outta there and go to a different mechanic. At least that's what I'd do.

uh thats my first thought too....

[Chad4000]

A compressor can lock up and blow apart the clutch and shaft, and the pulley can remain in tact....thus the belt will stay on.

Seen some weird stuff happen like that, but it does and can happen.

why would they have used the term axle? do I just not know anything about AC compressors?

[OtterbatHellcat]

What's the estimate for replacement?

[Chad4000]

What's the estimate for replacement?


standy by.. emailing wife.. dont think we have a number yet

[OtterbatHellcat]

I'm assuming they meant the shaft. Tomato tomAto.

[Chad4000]

"ok, just spoke with the guy. He said the a/c compressor has a front clutch, and I guess that front clutch shaft broke completely in half. He said he's never seen the part do that before. Basically said it means it was a failed part, which is not common at all but can happen. He said either the rod broke off inside or the shaft of the clutch itself just broke apart.

Having to replace the entire compressor, as it is all one "part" and you can't piece a new clutch portion back on…."

[Chad4000]

she said the estimate was $1100.................................. lol.....

[Dunecrazzy]

i have had the clutch lock up and break the shaft off of a couple vehicles compressors. it happens. i never paid to fix one though. i just pulled from the junk yard or ordered the part online, reinstalled and recharged.

This happened in a work van of mine too.

[Chad4000]

your best estimate on the part cost? would they come charged from say napa (or similiar) $1100 sounds outrageous to me.....

[OtterbatHellcat]

HBAR, I think you could get away with that in the older vehicles easier.

I don't know if this system is fixed orifice or expansion block, and it's my suspicion that the system ran *weak* for a little while before it blew up. It could have been dumping bits and pieces of plastic compression ring and aluminum into the system for a little while. IF that's the case, then everything ahead of the block/orifice might have to be replaced as well for maximum efficiency again. (accumulator and condenser)

Hopefully it just broke and that was the end of it.

Just my two cents.

[OtterbatHellcat]

Chad, I bet half of that cost is for the labor and the 2.3 lbs of 134A. The compressor is probably buried way down at the bottom of the belt drive system, and is probably a real pain in the ass to get to.

[Chad4000]

Chad, I bet half of that cost is for the labor and the 2.3 lbs of 134A. The compressor is probably buried way down at the bottom of the belt drive system, and is probably a real pain in the ass to get to.

so you don't think it would be similiar to like an alternator install (which Ive done like a hundred times ya know)

and yeah, just got a parts quote from advanced for like 488 including what it would take to charge it

[OtterbatHellcat]

so you don't think it would be similiar to like an alternator install (which Ive done like a hundred times ya know)

and yeah, just got a parts quote from advanced for like 488 including what it would take to charge it

Hey, if you think you can R+R it yourself, give it a try brother. I would stress inspecting your orifice/block and look for aluminum and plastic while the system is down.

[OtterbatHellcat]

yes, all my vehicles are older. and on a ford pickup the compressor is right up front on top, super easy fix.

The car world went and got weird on us since then man. I kinda miss the old days....shit was simple in a bunch of ways.

[OtterbatHellcat]

I do know that if you were a guy who had an Econoline with a 6.0 diesel in it....that had a compressor fail....and you tried to do it in your driveway or garage?

I got a $100 cash says after one full day, you'll get half way through it, and seriously just want to blow your head off instead of finishing the job.

[mtnhack]

I had the compressor die the same way on a Nissan Altima about 10 years ago. Went without A/C until we sold it because the repair bills were exorbitant everywhere we tried.

[XC700116]

so you don't think it would be similiar to like an alternator install (which Ive done like a hundred times ya know)

and yeah, just got a parts quote from advanced for like 488 including what it would take to charge it

if the parts are that high, then most likely the $1100 quote isn't too far off. Considdering to do it right, you need about $400 worth of tools to do the job, and depending on how hard the compressor is to get at, you could be looking at 5-8 hours of labor, plus you need to know WTF you're doing when you evacuate and charge the system or it isn't going to run efficiently.


For reference, I am certified by MACS (http://www.macsw.org/imis15/MACS/Home/MACS/NewHome.aspx?hkey=957c5fc7-e5c4-4144-8deb-b248d28aa9db) for mobile AC.

[970TJ]

Yep, they're in the ballpark. As for doing it in your driveway.......I'd rather pull and replace a transmission than replace an A/C compressor. Mostly because I've never done one, and all of the specialized tools involved. And in a FWD car? Nope. Money well spent IMO. And it'll have a warranty on the parts and labor.

Although I'd probably leave it and go without A/C because I'm a cheap bastard. But I couldn't get away with that in the wifey's car......she'd flat loose it.

[Chad4000]

^^ thanks guys..thats cool info. I heard $1100 and almost drove down to the dealership myself... especially after hearing the "axle" broke. still not sure that $600 is the correct labor rate but eh...

[OtterbatHellcat]

You're welcome, brother.

[Bailey Guns]

I had an AC unit installed in a new Pathfinder at the dealer in the early 90s. The car didn't come with AC. Even back then it was right around a grand. That doesn't sound unreasonable to me at all when you figure AC was always a $700 to $900 option on new cars before it started to be standard on pretty much everything.

I gotta say...I'd pay twice that much to make sure I had a working AC in my truck.

[newracer]

If you want to have AC pay the pro to do it.

[trlcavscout]

That is to replace the compressor and maybe orifice, evac and recharge the system. Once the systems been opened it requires machine to properly evac the air out of the a/c system then charge it for proper operation. $1100 sounds like a lot and it is, but I wouldn't half ass it or it will cost you more the second time. Their price sounds like its at least in the ball park.

[rondog]

If you want to have AC pay the pro to do it.

I have to agree, I'm too old and fat to work on shit like that anymore. I bought my 2000 Silverado used at 100K miles, and the temp control didn't work on it. Drove it like that for years, unable to change the temperature, sucked balls. Mentioned it here, and tmleadr03 said he'd fix it. All I had to do was leave it in the driveway, and send him a check. Works like new! And no pain on my part. VERY worth it.

[ray1970]

If you do it yourself make damn sure you flush everything you aren't replacing. Sounds like the compressor itself probably seized which caused the shaft to twist off at the clutch or hub or whatever. Probably metal all through the system.

I'd replace the drier and orifice tube and flush all of the lines, the condenser, and the evaporator core with mineral spirits or something. Make sure to blow everything out really good with compressed air and then pull a vacuum on the system for a really long time before you charge it.

I doubt the compressor is that bad to change. Just go through the wheel opening or from the bottom.

Good luck.

[Dr_Fwd]

Normaly the ac compressor + orifice tube are around $400-$500...

[Clint45]

Normaly the ac compressor + orifice tube are around $400-$500...
$500 for parts and $500 for labor sounds about right . . . that's probably at least a 3 hour job to get to the compressor, replace it, charge it, replace whatever needed to be removed to get to the compressor, then test it. I'm guessing the compressor is about the same amount of labor as a heater core. If it isn't under warranty, you could've probably saved a hundred bucks or so by taking it somewhere other than the dealership. NOT a job to attempt yourself, and not something you want to take to a service station that'll do the work for half price (with used parts and improper tools).

[sniper7]

I'd let the pros do that one or trade the car in on something new or newer.

[tmleadr03]

$500 for parts and $500 for labor sounds about right . . . that's probably at least a 3 hour job to get to the compressor, replace it, charge it, replace whatever needed to be removed to get to the compressor, then test it. I'm guessing the compressor is about the same amount of labor as a heater core. If it isn't under warranty, you could've probably saved a hundred bucks or so by taking it somewhere other than the dealership. NOT a job to attempt yourself, and not something you want to take to a service station that'll do the work for half price (with used parts and improper tools).


About 2-300 in labor at the dealer for that job.

If the dealer prices are too much take it to a local independent shop.

I would say come see me but I am booked till the 5th. And if I take another car in before J gets his car back he is going to ban me.

[JMBD2112]

HBAR, I think you could get away with that in the older vehicles easier.

I don't know if this system is fixed orifice or expansion block, and it's my suspicion that the system ran *weak* for a little while before it blew up. It could have been dumping bits and pieces of plastic compression ring and aluminum into the system for a little while. IF that's the case, then everything ahead of the block/orifice might have to be replaced as well for maximum efficiency again. (accumulator and condenser)

Hopefully it just broke and that was the end of it.

Just my two cents.


if the parts are that high, then most likely the $1100 quote isn't too far off. Considdering to do it right, you need about $400 worth of tools to do the job, and depending on how hard the compressor is to get at, you could be looking at 5-8 hours of labor, plus you need to know WTF you're doing when you evacuate and charge the system or it isn't going to run efficiently.


For reference, I am certified by MACS (http://www.macsw.org/imis15/MACS/Home/MACS/NewHome.aspx?hkey=957c5fc7-e5c4-4144-8deb-b248d28aa9db) for mobile AC.

I used to work for BOZO, They charge over $200 for a/c diag. They do have an ACR2000 (AC machine) that will flush the system, but you will have to replace the expansion valve. There's added labor as well since it's a hybrid. Not a big deal to disable, but they normally have one guy that's hybrid certified since it is a 300 volt system. Anyways I'm pretty familiar with the platform. If you haven't forked out the cash to get it fixed yet, pm me your VIN and I'll get you an estimate on Monday.

[XC700116]

I used to work for BOZO, They charge over $200 for a/c diag. They do have an ACR2000 (AC machine) that will flush the system, but you will have to replace the expansion valve. There's added labor as well since it's a hybrid. Not a big deal to disable, but they normally have one guy that's hybrid certified since it is a 300 volt system. Anyways I'm pretty familiar with the platform. If you haven't forked out the cash to get it fixed yet, pm me your VIN and I'll get you an estimate on Monday.


Good point on the intricacies of the hybrid platforms, I'd have never even thought of that aspect of it, since all of my work is on heavy equipment, but the AC system is pretty much the same thing in the basic sense as most automotive applications. Good info for sure.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Normaly the ac compressor + orifice tube are around $400-$500...

Sexy.. happy ending?

[ChunkyMonkey]

About 2-300 in labor at the dealer for that job.

If the dealer prices are too much take it to a local independent shop.

I would say come see me but I am booked till the 5th. And if I take another car in before J gets his car back he is going to ban me.

You meant to say.. if J doesnt give you some kind of special treatment, he ain't getting his car back. [Coffee]

[BushMasterBoy]

I replaced a compressor in a Nissan Altima a couple years ago. Hose was leaking and it lost a lot of lubricating oil. The compressor had seized I bought a compressor used on ebay for $80, got a new hose from rockauto.com for about $80. I bought a vacuum tool that connects to a air compressor for power, and evacuated the entire system for 30 minutes. I had also bought a set of A/C gauges from ebay for $40. Jacked the car up and removed and replaced compressor. Connected the new refrigerant hose. Then I set the vacuum pump to purge the system. Added some oil according to manufacturers specs. Added some refrigerant to specs. Checked the pressures. And the A/C worked good. Talked her into selling it and buying a jeep. Thank god she got the jeep, these dirt roads were beating the Altima to shit, struts were gonna be next...but hey the cheap Chinese gauges and vacuum pump did the trick!