AC system shot? Any advice?

[joneswak]

Looking for a 2nd opinion -- any advice is appreciated!

Background: My fiancee drives an automatic '02 Corola LE with ~40k miles on it. This past Sunday, I started the car, and after about ~1 second it started almost stalling -- sending the RPMs from normal (1500) down to almost 0, bouncing back up before stalling again. I tried re-starting and giving it more gas, and it started up and ran just fine. Two days later, it was reliably doing the same thing -- almost stalling at startup without extra gas.

I took it to a shop, and after running diagnostics they said the AC compressor had siezed (?) and needed to be replaced. In addition, they say the compressor created metal shavings that are now in the system and can't be flushed. So, I also have to replace the AC condensor, receiver dryer and the expansion valve -- grand total for parts/labor = $1535.89!!!

I know fixing AC systems can be expensive, but this was way more than I anticipated. Does this sound reasonable? I've heard that Corola's have a lousy history of AC systems...anyone else have this kind of problem? Any advice?

Thanks in advance!!
Brian


ps -- the guys at the shop took the AC offline, and the start-up problem appears to be fixed. So I have a few months until we need the AC...

[madking411]

yea....actually, my AC has been shot for YEARS...we still havent gotten it fixed, we just rolled down the windows and let the wind do the job

[joneswak]

That worked fine when we lived in Vermont, but it's not really an option if you live in Atlanta!
Brian

[madking411]

yea....better than nuttin tho

[90 GP]

Did you take car to an independent shop or a Toyota dealer? Seems pretty early for the A/C system to be toast. I would contact the corporate customer service (800 number in your manual) and plead your case. They might at least offer to cover half the cost of the repair.

[retiredat44]

Parts on eBay wil cost about $250 which include shipping... Labor is another story, you can replace the parts yourself. But vacuuming and recharging is not easy, you needd the equipment and that alone can run about $150.00.



try here with your questions:

http://www.autoacforum.com/

they also sell parts:
http://www.ackits.com/

It's up to you how mechancial you are. I suggest you don't try this as a first time project, you will end up in big problems. But, if you have done lots of mechancial work, you might be able to do it, if you follow directions. But, you probably can't charge it by yourself, it's really hard to do.

Good LUck..

[ShawnM]

The system can be flushed if the shop has the right equipment, though i would still change the dryer and expansion valve. Dont see any reason to replace the condenser unless its leaking. AC work is always expensive when its done right. Compressor internal failures are the worst.