Cost of Fixing a AC Compressor?

Question

I have a 98 mercury grand marquis. recently the AC has stopped working. i took it in to get the AC recharged at Jiffylube but it wouldn't take the charge. the employee there said it was most likely a busted compressor that is causing the AC not to work and that to get something like this foxed could cost $800-1000 (they do not do that kind of work there so i know he was not trying to rip me off but i'm also wondering if he knows exactly what he is talking about). Does this sound like a reasonable price for this type of work?

Answer 1

AC repairs are some of the most expensive that you will have done. This is mostly due to the laws that make us technicians have to recover freon and recycle it and become certified. Parts are not cheap either, your compressor will vary in price from $169.00 to $499.00 according to new or re manufactured and from who you purchase it. With that compressor you will need a receiver dryer which is designed to remove moisture from the system and is a necessary change item. Again $49.00 to $189.00 according to where it is purchased. An orifice tube is also a strongly recommended change item that is low in cost usually under $20.00. Now you have the cost of labour and oil and freon so now you can see how the cost gets up there real quick. This is about a 3 hr repair and at $100.00 per hour the cost is not cheap. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

I had the AC on my car fixed for under $180 at the ford dealer. (2004 Mercury Marauder)



The Jiffylube guy is not a mechanic and therefore he is ignorant to the cause of your problem. Your AC could cost $500 to fix at the worst, or it could be something minor. Take it in to a reputable dealer.



I live in Texas so having AC is something you really cannot go without during the summer.

Answer 3

I think its over a 1000 to fix. I have the same problem with my car. I just drive around without ac. My car is 10 years old. soon as i fix the ac something else will go bad so its not worth it.



one thing i hate about no ac is that it mess up my hair.



The compressor might not be bad. maybe the switch is bad. I had that problem to. I had to replace the control head. It could also be the ac clutch.



I would have it looked at a ac repair place