My AC compressor's seized on my LO3, and one place quoted me $1200 for a new compressor and a retrofit to R-134A!!
But I got know a guy who says he'll charge $200 in labor and a total of $600 for everything. Does $600 sound like a good price for a complete retrofit and a new compressor?

 

Neither sound like a good price. Pull your own compressor replace all the o-rings, install the retrofit fittings then take it someplace and have it flushed and charged with R-134. Save $400-700.

 

I'll do you one better. Get a direct replacement compressor, install it yourself, and charge the system with R-414b, also known as HotShot. It's a direct replacement to R-12, no need to change fittings or hoses. Then go back to that place that wants to charge $1200 and kick the guy in the *******, in the hopes that he'll never be able to procreate.

 

Junkyard compressor, fill it up w/ Freeze-12. (or hot-shot)

 

A good A/C shop will get about that for what he wants done. Figuring the list price of a compressor, accumulator, newer 134 compatible hoses and an orifice tube, then flushing, evacuation and a proper refill you are in that price area. A decent shop will not just do a conversion without the mentioned materials assuming he wants to stay out of court. You would be the first guy kicking if you got it done on the cheap and it failed to live up to your expectations. It often amazes me how much bad advice can be given, or how little respect is given to the professionals in business. Factor in shop overhead(a very large nut to crack) and a moderate profit(the guy's gotta eat)for the amount of work required that's pretty much the going rate. List price for a GM replacement comp is around 600 bucks alone. I have no connection whatsoever to the auto industry so no personal feelings come into play, however you really should think about what you say before you trash someone who may be trying to do a proper job with decent materials.

 

I'd still shop around a little! or do the R-414b route.

Hey Danno , what do U think of the R-414b? Any experiance with it? Any othe people besides CaysE?

 

I'm sorry you don't like my response to the poster's question, Danno, but do me a favor and keep the condescension to yourself. I'm here to help tamatt27 save some cash, not help the auto industry make more. I'm well aware of the costs of doing a complete replacement/retrofit of an A/C system the "right way," but that in no way means a weekend mechanic can't do it on their own and do it correctly. So I would thank you for not judging my responses on this board. Good luck, matt.

 

Matt, I was not "judging" you based on your opinions so much as you referring to the guy who quoted the price as being a crook, which is simply not true. 27 evidently wanted a price on having it done, a wise decision if he is not familiar with HVAC work. Improper oil level in the comp, moisture in the system and he'll be buying another compressor in a month. Fact is most "weekend" mechanics can't do it right. I responded to his question about prices for shop repair/retrofit. I responded to you for calling someone a thief who may well be quoting prices for OE components and a genuine good job of converting. The going price around here for a retrofit w/o replacing the compressor is around $700 for all materials and labor. Sorry if I offended you, but I am not the guy who wants to neuter the poor bastard who well may be an expert in his field. There is way too much of that today in my opinion.

 

Like I said, keep it to yourself. It was my intent to throw a bit of humor at the end of the post, not condone violence, as you take it so literally. Nobody needs to hear you telling me what I should and should not be thinking and/or saying. I helped MATT (who I was saying good luck to; my name is Casey), I threw in a joke, and you come along and shove your ideals in my face. I don't appreciate it.

Also like I said, there's no way I would pay $1200 to get my A/C working, and considering the basic function of this website, I don't think anyone else that comes here to learn how to work on their cars would either. That's my OPINION, I don't really care much for the actual facts if you or 5 other people would pay that money, and it HAS to be fact that NObody actually wants to pay that much. Hell, my car cost less than that.

So again, keep your opinions on my jokes to yourself. This is a tech site, not a morality school. I will no longer post on this.

 

Matt, i've got hot shot in my system, works great. i'm with CaysE on telling that guy to go shove his $1200.. well you know where thats going.. if it were me, i'd replace the compressor and accumulator, fill the system with nitogen to leak check it, make sure it holds the pressure for a few days(with out leaking down), then evacuate it and fill with hot shot and enjoy a job you can be proud of

 

I'm not sure how much nitrogen costs... but if you can get a vaccuum pump, you can just pull a vaccuum on the system and see if it holds instead of filling it with nitrogen; it would probably be cheaper. Get in touch with some people on the SWMG Board, I'm sure someone has some hoses, gauges, and a vaccuum pump and would be willing to help out a fellow third-genner.

 

No I don't. After i did the block swap in the 89 I just had it serviced and refilled with 12, cost around 180 bucks for the gas. All of the substitute refrigerants seem to have some drawbacks. Lot's of guys have hoarded 12 and it's still easy to find around here. got 3 other GM's with 134 and on a hot day everybody fights about who's gonna drive the 89-heh-heh. My friends garage uses Freeze 12 and he seems to have good luck with it. Biggest problem I see is permeation through the hoses and seals, some experts say that up to a 1/2lb/yr is normal. Guess you gotta talk with someone who has used a substitute over the long haul. And Casey, my apologies for offending your sensibilities. I only responded to a direct question about what a SHOP would charge. I you have read any of my 1000+ posts you'll see I think we should do everything ourselves if possible, and I will help anybody towards that end. However I do think sometimes that the best advice is no advice. HVAC work is specialized and requires special tools and knowledge to do it correctly. Matt seemed to be looking to have it done for him, as opposed to doing it himself. Cost of the car is insignificant, many of us have thousands of dollars tied up in our TG's so another grand or so means little in the scheme of things. Lighten up a little, and yes enough about it.

 

Where can you get R414b??