Question-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
My 1998 Dodge Durango compressor is dead. Do you know of a good source (ex book, web) that can help me replace the compressor, expansion valve. Parts are $250 at the O'Rileys, the shop wants $1600 parts and labor. Anyway I can do this myself and then get it filled with freon?
Answer -
I do not have a 98 Dodge book that shows the procedure in my extensive library, o I can't help you on this one.
Did you determine WHY the compressor failed ?.
Usually on these year vehicles the evaporator starts to leak and also requires replacement and this is a major task as it involves removing the COMPLETE INSIDE DASH ASSEMBLY.
autohelp
They said the evaporator was not leaking. How much would you expect to pay for getting a compressor, expansion valve, and freon done for?
AnswerThe reason for such a high estimate is that they don't know if the compressor exploded internally and has strewn aluminum fragements throughout the entire A/C system. This they won't know until they get the compressor OFF and check it out.
If it has spread aluminum throughout the system this can get very expensive as you will have to replace:
Compressor.
Accumulator.
Expansion valve.
"O" rings, gaskets, seals.
Flush the evaporator, Condensor and all the A/C lines.
Remove and test all the pressure switches.
Replace all of the schrader valves.
This flusing may have to be done several times to make sure that every speck of debris is removed from the system as just ONE small fragment can get into the new compressor and destroy it.
Also knowing that their is a POSSIBILITY that after they get all this work done, the evaporator may start to leak and then this would have to be replaced and the system re-evacuated and re-charged AGAIN.
Knowing that Dodge has this problem with leaking evaporators, Your system may work fine for days, weeks or months and then the evap springs a leak.
I would NOT even take on the project until you understood and I had it in WRITING that there is a possibility that the evap could start leaking at anytime AFTER the work was completed and I would NOT be held responsible if this happens. If it does happen your looking at another $800.00 to replace it.
The compressor that your getting seems to be very cheap in price which makes me believe that it is most likely a rebuilt. Whereas the dealer would be installing a NEW compressor.
I do NOT like rebuilts, Due to the fact that if it has a problem and explodes internally and strews debris throughout your system, All you will get from O'reilley's is another compressor and your STUCK with footing the cost of the other components and the labor.
If the dealer installs a NEW compressor and it happens to explode, Ford motor company will pay for EVERYTHING thru their warranty program.
If I had the vehicle in my shop I would advsie you of these possible faults that can and DO happen.
I would advise you that if the compressor that I installed exploded, I would NOT be liable for ANY re-doing of the entire system, because all the facility that I got the compressor from would do is replace the compressor and YOU would have to pay for all the labor and parts AGAIN.
This is WHY the dealer's give such HIGH estimates, they are simply trying to cover their BUTTS if such above said faults should occur.
I hope you can see what can happen if you intend to do it yourself.
My facility would do this job for $750.00 and would include the above NO FAULT possibilities.
In other words, Once the system was installed and a week later the evap starts to leak, YOU would have to pay for the evap and recharging and all the labor to install it.
Or if the compressor exploded 2 months down the road, All you would get is another compressor for FREE but you would have to pay ALL the labor and damaged parts all over again as the facility where the compressor was purchased would ONLY give me another compressor, PERIOD. YOU would be stuck to pay for all the work all over again.
Your taking a HUGE risk in doing it yourself. If it were my vehicle, I would replace the EVAP as well as all the other parts.
I don't mean to scare you, But I have had it happen numerous times. What the customer does not understand is that I did NOT build the compressor and the facility that I bought it from will ONLY give me another compressor. They don't understand that it is not my FAULT the compressor exploded.
autohelp
