AC Repair/ I need it done

[tonic]

Hello-
I have a Camry 1996 - 4cyl
and I am having AC problems- not blowing cold air.
Like two years ago I went to Toyota Dealer here in Florida to run an AC test and I ended in paying 95$.
I was around my car when they did the test. They didn't use the vacuum pump / They just attached the gauge ... and connected a freon can to the system. Everithing took like an hour - BUT they opened my dash board to look inside at the evaporator and whatever is in there...
I asked the Toyota mechanic that was working - if he knows what is the problem and he asked me if I feel any smell in the car when I am driving ... I told him no - not at all - he said: well probably because you are loosing just a little - but as I remeber he said it's a supape/valve in there that usually is not working well for my Camry year/model. I guess he was reffering to the expansion valve?!?!
I asked him well you thin is in there? And he said yes I think you need to replace that supape/valve and the evaporator too ...
Anyhow the on final notes/quote from Toyota - was 1500$ and they said to replace the followings: condenser, evaporator, expansion valve, and receiver.
I am not loosing alot ... after Toyota refill my system - the car was fine for like 3 month ...
and than I add more freon - was fine for another 3 month - add more and so on ...
The thing is ... last time - I added a little bit more ... like a can and a half and the compressor start acting crazy ... I think it's too much freon there now- or whatever the pressure is to high ... the way is acting now is ... compressor is starting fine for like 1 minute and than it's stops and after that is on and off every 1-2 seconds. I released some pressure from the Lower port- it's a little bit better but still acting weird.
Don't know what to say ... it's too much freon in there- is overcharged- it's too much pressure-
I am planning to buy an evaporator , expansion valve and the receiver.
And I need all your help / advices.
My question is: I have basic mechanical knowledge- If I buy those 3 parts it will be easy to replace them by myself? and if yes please help me with technical advices and also what I should buy / original oem toyota parts. or considering it's an old car I should go with aftermarket parts ... and please in case you may know a cheaper/good place where I can buy them ....
I am planning to replace those 3 parts and than to go to a professional mechanical place where they can vacuum the installation and refill it.
Please help, please advice- please comment.
Thank you!!!

[n3rdifed]

find an ac specialist..i wouldnt wanna replace anything without depressurizing the system because all that freon could blow in your face. i got a new compressor and 134 conversion for 700 .

find somebody with a free estimate and call around specialized shops then you can go from there..

[tonic]

Originally Posted by n3rdifed

find an ac specialist..i wouldnt wanna replace anything without depressurizing the system because all that freon could blow in your face. i got a new compressor and 134 conversion for 700 .

find somebody with a free estimate and call around specialized shops then you can go from there..

[Stillrunning]

From what I've read so far you don't have the knowledge or experience to replace the entire system (evap., conden., TXV) You will need a proper pressure test to determine if over pressure. Replacing the evaporator will probably be the hardest as it may involve removing part of the dash. Either keep replacing lost refrigerent, sell the car, or pay someone to fix it. There is no easy answer. I would at least get more opinions as to what's wrong and what needs to be replaced.

[Elite ac]

Tonic,

1500 is crazy!
I supply car dealers, mechanics, etc with ac parts and radiators in my area...
For an entire NEW compressor kit (New compressor, expansion Device, receiver drier, O-ring kit) $215 to your door step.

I would be surprised if the Condenser needs to be replaced, very rarely do they need to be replaced...if so $80

There are two different Evaporators about $75.
Just take an AC mechanic all the parts and just pay for the labor!

Actually, i just looked, I am out of condensers but could easily find one.

AC compressors are very very sensitive, better off to leave it to the professional to ensure proper flush, charge, pressure, etc.

If you need or want the AC parts I mentioned above, my email is coreyv@eliteautoac.com I saw the $1500 you mentioned and had to put in the 2 cents. That's insane!

Thanks Tonic,
Corey

[chronoti]

*cough*6hourjobtochangetheexpansionvalve*cough*

so ya, 92-96 is a reallllllllly frigging annoying job to change the expansion valve. but now before you go ripping stuff apart take it to a shop where they can take a leak detector to the car and can check all the connecton fitting most of the time it's a SMALL leak at an o-ring.

as for depressurizing the system dont get in your eyes to complain when the hole in the ozone layer gets larger.

[tonic]

Originally Posted by Elite ac

Tonic,

1500 is crazy!
I supply car dealers, mechanics, etc with ac parts and radiators in my area...
For an entire NEW compressor kit (New compressor, expansion Device, receiver drier, O-ring kit) $215 to your door step.

I would be surprised if the Condenser needs to be replaced, very rarely do they need to be replaced...if so $80

There are two different Evaporators about $75.
Just take an AC mechanic all the parts and just pay for the labor!

Actually, i just looked, I am out of condensers but could easily find one.

AC compressors are very very sensitive, better off to leave it to the professional to ensure proper flush, charge, pressure, etc.

If you need or want the AC parts I mentioned above, my email is coreyv@eliteautoac.com I saw the $1500 you mentioned and had to put in the 2 cents. That's insane!

Thanks Tonic,
Corey

Thank you. I would need help in buying those parts then and go to a shop- in my area. Probabbly that would be the best. I've seen Evaporators on ebay between 40-80$ - don't know which after market (made in china) would be the best for my 96 camry. Considering I paid Toyota deale 90$ to find actually nothing- just that I need to replace Evaporator-expansion valve- receiver container .... hmm I would rather prefer to invest another 250$ the way you said and buy new after market parts. The only thing I am concerned is the compatibility or whatever quality of those after market products ... especialy when you deal with AC things- and you need a perfect fit in parts ---
Please advice where and what model i should look for ... the original expansion valve(oem) and receiver is not too expensive - ........... the thing is the evaporator the oem is like 280$ from partznet.com
THANK YOU ELITE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Elite ac]

Tonic,

there are very good aftermarket products out there. In fact, many are much better than OEM. OEM is nothing more than original equipment manufacturer...in other words, the company that bid the lowest to the manufacturer of the automobile company to get their parts in there. Sure they are of good quality but not always the best.

Dealers have the physcological effect on people, when you go to dealer, you think you are getting toyota parts...definently not the case. They call their local supplier (which would be more example) and I sell it to them at a wholesale price for them to resell to you.

My email address is up there, feel free to email me if I can ever help. Get me away from the commercial word for a moment!

Goodluck!