Was this mechanic right? (AC R12 question) - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Celica4life · 06-29-2005, 07:13 PM

My AC suddenly refused to work this summer. I took it in today and the mechanic said the compressor is dead. He suggested I swap out to the R134a. He said overall the conversion would be cheaper then fixing/replacing the compressor and refilling the R12. Total for the estimate came to $1300! $800 parts, $500 labor. Does this sound right to you? Is that really cheaper then just replacing the current compressor? The car blue book is barely double the estimate price. I can live without AC if I have to because $1300 is way too expensive.

locker · 06-30-2005, 07:26 AM

screw fixing the compressor! I have 4 for sale! with KM's as low as 70k

90celicaGT-S · 06-30-2005, 08:34 AM

just take the thing off roll ur windows down and have a couple extra horsepower. if you must have one go to ebay and buy a compressor and put it on urself. 500 dollars for labor? that guy is full of crap all u got to do is screw in like 4 bolts to attach it to the engine and connect 2 hoses. it took me 5 min. to taqke it off.

flex-appeal · 06-30-2005, 10:50 AM

conversion should be about $250 over here in australia.. and labour is expensive here compared to the US hehe.. go somewhere else!

Pineapple · 06-30-2005, 02:03 PM

He's crap. Don't need any convertion. There are refill that works with old AC which is not R-12. Go to shop that do AC only.

chronoti · 06-30-2005, 11:00 PM

that guy is trying to rape you.

have a real shop take a look, heck even toyota might quote you less than that.

el niño · 07-04-2005, 10:47 PM

I agree, he's trying to tear you a new one, in the worst of cases you have to replave the a/c drier ONLY, plus pag oil and freon, if your compressor is toast, get a new one yourself, he's gonna charge you at least $300 more in the compressor if you let him get it, are you in Washington state or Washington DC?, if you're in DC come and see me, I'll do a full service on the car if you get the parts.

***Tercel GTS*** · 07-04-2005, 11:17 PM

Stop by a parts store and grab a few cans of freeze12. Works great in older cars. Make sure you get the oil the compressor calls for.

Celica4life · 07-04-2005, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el niño

I agree, he's trying to tear you a new one, in the worst of cases you have to replave the a/c drier ONLY, plus pag oil and freon, if your compressor is toast, get a new one yourself, he's gonna charge you at least $300 more in the compressor if you let him get it, are you in Washington state or Washington DC?, if you're in DC come and see me, I'll do a full service on the car if you get the parts.

Washington State unfortunately or I'd take you up on that generous offer!

Dirk · 07-06-2005, 12:14 AM

Depending on where in WA you are, try talking to Burien Toyota - just ouside Seattle. They do a lot of work on MR2s for the NW MR2 club, and I've had my '91 Celica all-trac's A/C serviced there as well. I'm pretty darn sure that anything they'll quote you will be cheaper than $1300!

http://www.burientoyota.com/en_US/

el niño · 07-06-2005, 10:07 PM

on these cars what it basically comes down to to retrofit is just getting the right fittings to screw on the valves ( both high and low), manufacturer reccomends changing the drier and expansion valve, sometimes you have to if the system has been breached and left out in the open for a while, otherwise , you just need a $7 set of fittings.

jeeptuff · 07-08-2005, 08:47 PM

Or for that fact call Rodland Toyota in Everett and talk to there sevice department. Seem like good people.