A/C question on Dodge Dakota

[Mid-Lake Rock]

Hi all. I have a 2002 Dodge Dakota 4.7 V8. Last fall my AC stopped working. I checked and it was not maintaining pressure. Took it to a shop for repair and they quoted me $510 for repair. Breaks down as follows.

Labor:

Replace Dual Service AC Hose $55.90

Replace Receiver Dryer $55.90

AC Evacuate & Recharge $69.90

Parts:

Dual Service AC Hose $156.95

AC System UV tracer die $14.95

Receiver Dryer

[Mid-Lake Rock]

Sorry, hit the wrong key and it posted. Here is the total list of what the shop says needs to be done.

Labor:

Replace Dual Service AC Hose $55.90

Replace Receiver Dryer $55.90

AC Evacuate & Recharge $69.90

Parts:

Dual Service AC Hose $156.95

AC System UV tracer die $14.95

Receiver Dryer $75.95

Refrigerant $68.00

Shop Supplies $12.72

TOTAL $510.27

I know nothing about A/C equipment or repairs and I want to know if some of the experts here think this is a fair price? I know the costs for other repairs, but I'm lost here. Thanks for any input.

[Scott K]

That looks about right! If you are in question with the parts, call a parts store and have them compare. Just keep in mind, the shop isnt looking to sell you the cheapest parts available, they more then likely are selling you quality stuff, so the parts dont go bad anytime soon.

[solbes]

Probably not very helpful, but anytime an A/C system is touched, it's always big $$$. $500 doesn't sound too bad to me.

I have the same model year truck and engine BTW. Still running very strong at 112k.

[Mid-Lake Rock]

Thanks for the help, wandering. I thought it seemed reasonable, however I know nothing about A/C except it can be expensive. My old reliable place for maintenance has closed, so I'm trying to build my trust with a new shop.

Solbes - I'm at 149,000 and counting. She's paid for, so I just keep putting on the miles.

[jeffreyd]

one thing that always bothers me is this. if your system is not leaking and is full of refrigerant, they why are they charging you for the stuff they suck out of the system? No one can ever give me an answer. The way i figure is that they take 3 lb out the system calls for 3 lb so they are not out anything. not like they are cleaning it and doing something else with it.

[Scott K]

Well, in order to reuse it, it needs to be recycled, and the recycling machine isnt cheap. I would assume that is why. Or it is just a profit of the trade, or both.

[Jeremy airjer W]

If the vehicle is in for to check the a/c chances are its not working. If its not working than there is a good likely hood that it is low or empty on freon. So its very rare to recover the full amount of freon that a system holds.

As far as the charge for the "evac and recharge". The system is put under vacuum for at least 45 minutes to boil out any moister than may have accumulated in the system while it was both not working and while it was repaired (a/c oil is hygrosporic so it absorbs moisture like a sponge). Its also a test to see if the system will hold vacuum, if it doesn't than its leaking somewhere.

During that 45 minutes the equipment and bay are tied up. A tied up bay is a bay that isn't making money!

BTW, getting your a/c fixed for under a grand is always a good deal! Click and Clack said it best last weekend. Something to the effect of "we have noticed a trend at our shop, an A/C repair is either a $100 or a $1000".

[NELS-BELLS]

I just paid $575 to have a used compressor put in, a new tension wheel with idler arm, a new belt, and a new fan clutch. One thing goes bad and its like a chain reaction causing other things to go bad. The crazy thing is that my AC still worked but made a lot of noise and the engine ran really rough with it on.

So much for the new trolling motor.