No Car Diem

[ravan]

I don't get my car back today. They won't get the drive shaft back in time to put it on the car. This is fine, since I'm at work, etc.

The upshot? ~$1,200., for radiator, flush, thermostat, pcv valve & hose assemble, oil change, air cleaner service, u-joints and drive shaft balance.

Needless to say, I'm not getting the A/C done. The A/C alone would be ~$1,400. - the compressor part alone is $489, then there's another something or other and dryer part for around $389, and then the retrofit kit for $250, plus the labor for installing it all (and one part is buried in the front grill.)

Comments

[jemyl.livejournal.com]

I have been told that they really don't have to change out all of that to use R134 on the auto air conditioning. They can use it without changing everything, just empty the freon and retrofit it and then put in the R134. Hey, if it doesn't work you can always change out the compressor /exchanger and dryer. You don't have the corosion out there I don't think so it may not need all of that. They may be seeing you coming on that one, Kiddo. Ask some of your mechanic friends who have converted their old vehicles if you can do it. A buddy of mine did and it worked fine. He did the same thing with a window AC unit, a big one, and it is putting out colder than ever and not freezing up. Just a thought to save you some bucks.

[ravan.livejournal.com]

Actually, the guy at the mechanics recommended that I *not* get the A/C done, since it's just a luxury. Apparently the compressor and dryer are toasted, and would need to be replaced even if I *didn't* retrofit. The retrofit part is only $250, and if the compressor and dryer were ok, that's all I'd need to pay. I'd need to replace the compresssor so that the new coolant didn't leak out, retrofit or not.

I've gone to this guy for several years now, and although the prices are very much California rates, they do ok work.