Expert: Tom Joy - 7/14/2005

Question
At the end of April I took my van in for A/C repair (had no A/C for about a year & no money to fix). I was told the evaporator coil had a leak, and paid $967 for parts and labor to repair. Less than two months later, the A/C started blowing hot again, & there was a bit of a burning smell. Now I am told I need a new A/C compressor and drier because the compressor locked up - parts and labor total $835. Is this repair something I need done in a shop (from previous Q&A I am thinking "yes".) Is there a way to get the cost down? I have found parts online for less than the quote I got. I really can't afford another $800 after just paying over $900. Thanks.

Answer
Sounds very suspicious that when the evap was replaced there was not enough refrigerant oil reinstalled in the system of which over time would destroy the compressor.

You need to have this done at a repair facility OTHER than the place you had the evap replaced.

As for doing it yourself this is NOT recommended as you do not have the:

The A/C gages to monitor the system pressures.

The vacuum pump to evacuate the air from the A/C system.

The specific knowledge of EXACTLY how much refrigerant oil and freon to add into the system after the reapir.

The flushing equipment in order to flush out the debris from all the A/C components BEFORE yiou start your reapirs.

Have a reputable facility perform this repair.