A/C system replacement

Group:

I have a 2000 grand caravan which had the A/C compressor lock up and
shred the serpentine belt (Stank too!). So, I got a pulled unit out of
the boneyard to have a free pulley to put with the new belt. Looking
down the line, I really would like to have the A/C for summer. Local
mechanic says I'm looking at a complete system replacement at about
$2K. Anyone have experience doing an /c restoration after compressor
lockup? The body & drivetrain are in great shape.

Randy

 

That seems high. Were any other A/C system components damaged when the
compressor seized? I would think that you could replace the compressor,
pull a vaccum on the system and then recharge.

Did the mechanic mention that there were other parts needing
replacement? Evaporator replacement can be costly as it is labor
intensive.

-Kirk Matheson

 

as long as the evap coil is good a flushing of the ac system with the
proper solvents and a evac and recharge should get it going, but if the
evap. coil is leaking and it's a ,common failure then the dash has to come
out and it gets expensive

 

That sounds high. I would get a 2nd opinion. On Chryslers, your lucky
because the filter is on the hi side of the a/c system so the debris gets
caught before going through the evaporator, in any case you need a flush of
the condenser and evaporator, new filter/drier (same part), and the
compressor. I would say that you should be looking at 1 hr for the basic
evac and recharge and 1 hr to flush. Total parts should be no more than 600
for a good reman compressor and drier. 134a pricing has gone through the
roof but still yours takes 2 lbs or thereabouts so maybe 80 bucks for
refrigerant. Proper flush will also be about 100 bucks retail.

 

I agree. It's too high, and you also don't need it.

I just got through with a locked up Nippondenso compressor on my LHS and it
was clean as a whistle inside. I tore the system completely apart, replaced
a bunch of stuff, but it didn't seem like it needed it.

Last week, R134A was still only $10 a pound. It had gone up, but...from $5
to $10.

 

did he say why the compressor locked up? 2k is outrageous for just a
compressor replacement.