leaking a/c
 

Well, I took my car in because the A/C stopped blowing cold. tuens out I have a small leak at the compressor and at the evaparator. I think that's what it's called. It's the part under the dash. I had the guy top it off because I'm going across the desert next week. I did the conversion over to R-134a already. So it won't cost me much to keep it filled. I'm wondering how much it's going to cost me to get this fixed. The compressor looks like it's going to be around $300. Has anyone replaced the part under the dash before? I'm just wondering how hard it is.

I also have to have my A/C serviced. Generally there are o-rings that need to be replaced at various locations in the A/C lines if there is a leak. Your compressor may not be bad...unless someone has already confirmed it is. Most of the cost is usually incurred to evac the system and refill it. O-rings are minimal cost...add the obligatory $70 per hour for labor though to install em. Shouldn't be to much with the conversion you've done.

I'm not sure if we have the same problem, but there is an expansion valve in the A/C system that in my case is restricting the system (it otherwise holds refrigerant.) In order to replace this, the dash has to come out. It looks like it'll be to much of a bitch to fix, so to keep my temper at bay, I'm payin someone else to do it. I have been qouted 350 bucks for the fix from a mechanic buddy I have at the local dealer. That's a "side job" price meaning $150 bucks for his time and $40 bucks per pound (3lbs)for R12 (Huge ripoff!)...and the misc valve and o-rings. Since winter is around the corner, I will wait till spring. Good luck with your fix.

I was refilling the system today and I found a big leak. The dust cap for the high pressure side was opening the valve and letting the freon out. So I drilled out the part that was pushing on the valve and put the cap back on. We'll see if that fixes the problem. I did cheat though, I put a two part sealer into the system today. It might've helped because the compressor stopped making the bad sound it was making at idle before. I looked into what it would take to get the evaporater out last night and I think it's somthing I can handle. If I find it's still leaking after this weekend, I'll pull it out and check all the o-rings in there.