Hey guys, I just got off the phone with my local shop and they want to charge me $1,600 to replace my seized A/C compressor. I am having a pulley put on in place of the compressor for the time being instead, but with summer coming I am going to want the luxury of air conditioning.

The price seems a bit high, but the shop is reputable and I understand with labor costs, etc. But I am wondering if there is a cheaper alternative to getting A/C back in my 98 Cherokee?

 

around in my parts thats kinda high, by prolly around $600. 'Course this would be the compressor, dryer, and evac and recharge, but I don't see that over 1K.

 

As a professional machanic in Jacksonville Fl, I'd have to say it sounds kinda high for the compressor. But, without looking at thier estimate and seeing what all they are including in that price, I would hesitate to say that they are overcharging. Really depends on what work they are including. Are they replacing accumulator, condensor, flushing system, etc...

 

Seems a little high, we were getting quotes of $1200-$1500 last May. The kiddo and I decided to try it ourselves so last June we installed a new compressor, dryer/accumulator, liquid line/orifice tube and rubber hose/manifold assembly.....basically everything but the evaporator and condenser. It's not that hard to do but I realize that's subjective too. Once we had flushed the evap/cond, added the correct measured amount of compressor and connected everything back together, we drove the XJ to the a/c shop, had them pull a vacuum and charge the system with freon. All the new parts and system charge labor was about $600 and the end result was 34F cold air at the center dash vents.

 

That's what I'm talking about! I was thinking about doing something like this, or buying another cherokee for cheap and taking the A/C parts from it..

Thanks for the quick replys guys

Still not sure, have a few months to figure it out before the 90+ degree weather, I didn't know this problem can get so expensive!

 

junkyard

 

Obviously u need a new compressor and that's the most expensive part. Everything I read on the Internet, regarding a/c repair, highly recommended replacing the orifice tube and accumulator/dryer, when replacing the compressor, as those 2 items act as filters. U don't want crud from an old JY accumulator or orifice tube entering/damaging a new compressor. Flushing the evap/condenser is very important also.

 

nononononono!

do it yourself and re-charge with r-134...you can get compressor from junkyard, then get o-ring kit from anyone on-line.....then get a couple cans of 134 from autozone or whomever your parts store is and charge it up.

probly a good compressor at junkyard is 200 or 300 maybe.


good luck sir!


cpnwrench

 

We paid $235 for a new (not rebuilt) compressor with warranty.

 

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I just paid the exact amount of $1600 for my 2001 Jeep grand Cherokee 4.7 4x4 AC system. They completely replaced everything and gave me a life time guarantee. Labor was $700, parts were $900. Thier parts have profit attached. Yes, I could have bought parts myself but frankly, having a lifetime AC is worth it especially here in the desert of Southern Arizona where 110 is common

 

This thread is from 13 years ago. Times change and prices too.