AC on 2006

AC was a little weak this summer, and i decided to do a recharge kit. The kit didn't work out. Originally, I thought there was a blow out on condenser while trying to bring system up to pressure. AI swore this is the sole case and issue. I took to shop for inspection. Oil had blown out the escape valve of the compressor with no evidence of a leak on condenser. Shop originally wanted $2100 AC compressor kit installed. They want to replace compressor and condenser flush lines and charge it back up. The best price was a rebuilt compressor and new condenser installed 1500. I know you guys know how clunky AI is for auto repairs but its all I got so better than nothing.

AI is doubling down on condenser and says to replace it only and thinks my compressor is still good, Suggest replace expansion valve. I don't really think the shop is doing anything wrong but its all about doing work that they can put their one year warranty on. I can't diy on this one i don't have the space or facilities nor the vacuumed equipment. So the repair has to be a one shot deal to keep cost reasonable. I read through the other comments and i see your mostly recommending used compressors at that which i found interesting. So how would you go about this repair? As always thanks for your time in advance.

 

It seems you want more details of how the charge up went. I had trouble getting the psi to stabilize. It was 100F at the time and if I put the gage on and started the car i was getting a 37psi stabilized. When I added coolant, the gage would run up to 60-70 psi suddenly blow out return to 35psi and repeat. There is very little coolant that even came out the can at this point.

The shop doesn't think diy caused the issue. Looking down at the splash guard below the compressor there is excessive oil from the blow out. I don't know about the glass sight didn't use it can't say if the hose got cold. Last I checked it was blowing cold but I haven't turned back on since oil blow out.

As far as what evidence the shop provided. They took me underneath the car showed me the escape valve compressor is where oil came from and not the condenser. There was no obvious leak on the condenser. As far as if there was metal in the oil this was not provided. There is still some oil on the splash guard but if i were to collect it would be dirty. The shop says diy didn't cause issue that the system is clogged. That they need to replace both compressor condenser flush the system to be able to warranty the repair for a year. I was like okay this seems expensive maybe I can shop the parts and go from there.

 

so you believe the diy did cause the issue? how would you go about fixing?

 

One possibility is to bring my own parts and I think they are at 800 labor charge and fill. But it seems like your saying if I am just not comfortable even diagnosing the repair then I should just go with shop?

 

Here are some pics. On the glass window H pressure side it is clear and visible that fluid is in there. I inspected the fluid on the splash shield the best i could. It sprayed out onto the dirty splash shield. I can't see metal. The shop didn't report to see metal. I was able to obtain some fluid on the edge and it appears clear. The amount of oil was described as excessive by the shop you can see fluid on the splash shield below the compressor.

 

I don't understand. There is not a clear path to repair. I could get the condenser and compressor off the car but I don't understand what needs to be done? I can swap these 2 parts and take it down for the flush and fill but I am not sure what needs to be replaced?

 

Okay so we don't know how the ac was taken care of in the past. I have only owned the 06 for 3.5yrs now. What's a step-by-step process of how to do this repair? I mean I know what shop recommended. They even offered 400$ option to support the repair if I diy that means take parts off come in for a flush and then go back home put parts on and go back to the shop for vacuum and fill. Assuming their standards are correct I should be shopping for a compressor and a condenser if I can find better or cheaper parts. But I am not sure what your recommending on parts or you are recommending to let the shop do their thing, this i guess because i cant make a diagnosis for myself?

 

Okay, I will ask these additional questions tomorrow. I am concerned that oem is no longer the best choice on 20yr old car. I havnt priced an oem compressor but the condenser is 450 while being only 150 at autozone.

 

Shop didnt find metal they are sure its there. They need to flush system. He is nearly 100% evap doesn't need to be changed. There are no signs no noise no smells. To get the 1500 job i need to use their parts in the rebuild kit. Warranty will not cover additional parts once again he is sure it doesn't need evap.

 

IDK Parker, Since I only driving 3k miles a yr post pandemic hybrid tech no longer makes sense. Except the fact I might buy a 2015 corolla with 120k miles on it private party in a state with no tax for 10000$. Its a lot since the value of the 06 is only 4500. Also i save 1200 on insurance a yr by waiving comp/coll. So i have a lot of cash to work with and still they have clamped down on diy in my region. I see an AC repair that cost more on hybrids starting at 1500 possibly ending up being 3000. So its like if guys would still work for an honest wage than I could even just pay for the shop. Plus just having that piece of mind something that needs to be worked on once every couple of years. Instead of once or twice every year. I know you guys are here working on cars not giving financial advice but personally i am thinking its time to move on. I just dont have the facilities and resources I need to work on a car like this. Shops eventually going to drain my savings.