Vehicle Air-conditioning help.

[terravista]

Hi
We have a Toyota Avalon, that has standard airconditioning. A few weeks ago, it started to work less efficiently over a few days, and stopped cooling completely.
I had the car serviced, and the mechanic re-gassed the system and all was well for another week, then started failing again.
The local air con people looked at it, tested it with dye, and have quoted $600 for replacement of the condensor, receiver/dryer, and a regas.
It could be possible that all this need replacing, but as it is more than one item, it seems a tad hard to believe it all failed at once, and took over a week to fail. 
Are there any air con people on this site that could offer a suggestion whether this replacement is feasible, and a fair price, or does it look like a con job?
Cheers
Ian

[Redback]

From memory the Avalon has the same 3.0l motor as the Camry, if so then that sounds about right, the 3.0l Camry are renowned for the aircon doing this and like all Toyota genuine stuff is expensive to replace or repair, we had our Camry done a about 2yrs ago and it was around the $450 mark, ours is noisey, is the Avalon noisey, the mechanic reckons it's normal.

Baz.

[yogi]

When ever you regas your air con you should do the receiver/dryer .......

yogi

[Yoda42]

Hi Terravista

The condensor is the A/C radiator, if this has a small leak(hole) it could take several days to loose all the gas out of your A/C system, to find leaks they have to put a UV/fluro dye in the system and re gas it, leave it a couple of days to leak out again and then run a UV light over all the components of your A/C system, any leaks will show up under the UV light.
once the leak is found the faulty component will need to be replaced.
in your case it sounds like the condensor has a hole in it and needs to be replaced
when ever you open an A/C system you have to de gas it, and then re gas it again once the repairs have been completed, you also need to replace the receiver/dryer.
the receiver/dryer is a small canister that takes water moisture out of the A/C system(so it does not mix with the oil that lubricates the compressor), it should be replaced every time an A/C system is opened to the atmosphere!.
so your bill should show:
new condensor,
new receiver/dryer,
A/C gas (in kilograms used to recharge system),
some compressor oil may be needed if it has leaked out and need to be replaced
and of course Labour
Sorry i can't help with the $ amount as I've been out of the industry for over 10 years

You should also ask them to put UV/fluro dye in it so if you get another leak down the track, they can just put a UV light on it to find the leak, and you won't have to pay for a re gas that just going to leak out

hope this helps Yoda

[Variflex]

Dan and Yoda have pretty much hit this one on the head so i'm just taking this opportunity to bump my post count up by one, otherwise i would have responded along the lines of Yoda's response

[terravista]

Thank you for the responses.
I was concerned that I was going to be ripped off for two items, when I thought it likely only one was leaking. It looks like one leaking item, and one necessary changed item.
My mind is somewhat eased, I just need to determine whether $600 is a fair price.
At least I can talk to someone in the trade and get a quote without sounding like a complete moron.
Cheers
Ian

[Jon]

You should also ask them to put UV/fluro dye in it so if you get another leak down the track, they can just put a UV light on it to find the leak, and you won't have to pay for a re gas that just going to leak out

hope this helps Yoda

Good answer Yoda.
The only other thing I would suggest is the dye will remain in the system as it is transported in the oil used to lubricate the compressor.
Additionally, get them to check the shaft seal on the compressor as this can leak slowly if the seal is not lubricated by regular use of your ac system.
The average car holds less than 2 kg of refrigerant, R134a, which is about $45/kg. Get the repairer to put down his ARCTICK license number as he MUST have one to handle refrigerants.

[Kit_e_kat9]

Thanks for asking the Q and getting some great answers Terravista!  I have this same issue myself.  Mine was regassed about 12m ago and now it won't work at all.  Used to squeak alot when started but froze me successfully, now no squeak at all and better with the windows down.  At least now I won't look like a "typical know nothing sheila" when I too get this fixed ...  

Have I mentioned lately that the information shared on this website ROCKS!!!!!!  

Kit_e

[Manjimike]

I have an '89 Troopy. When I had the 3F motor rebuilt, they let the gas out of the A/c.
If I remember correctly the gas that used to be used in that era was changed due to the damage to the ozone layer.
Will this mean I have to change any components to run the modern gases?

 
Mike

[Jon]

I have an '89 Troopy. When I had the 3F motor rebuilt, they let the gas out of the A/c.
If I remember correctly the gas that used to be used in that era was changed due to the damage to the ozone layer.
Will this mean I have to change any components to run the modern gases?

 
Mike

'Modern" gases have actually been in place for nearly 16 years. The changeover is not compulsory unless you had a leak or similar loss of refrigerant. Then, by virtue of the fact the original gas is not available, a changeover, termed a 'Drop in" will have been required.
If your system has been empty of refrigerant for that long you will need new hoses, receiver-drier and quite possibly a new compressor. Depends on the time is has been unusable.

[Manjimike]

'Modern" gases have actually been in place for nearly 16 years. The changeover is not compulsory unless you had a leak or similar loss of refrigerant. Then, by virtue of the fact the original gas is not available, a changeover, termed a 'Drop in" will have been required.
If your system has been empty of refrigerant for that long you will need new hoses, receiver-drier and quite possibly a new compressor. Depends on the time is has been unusable.

Thanks Jon,
Only since Oct/Nov

 
Mike

[jetcrew]

Air con parts are supplied at very expensive prices from auto elec shops and the like . Get your detailed quotes and then call ASHDOW/INGRAMS we  have em in QLD (should be similar in other states.)

I paid

$480 for my compressor
$226 for evaporator
$249 for condensor

air con places wanted about $600 more across those 3 parts . Then I called a mobile guy who came and did the job in my drive way. best service ever and saved heaps . I did a bit of the job myself and he did the gas side ect think it cost me $250 in labour .inc gas.

So I paid $1205 for a compleate new system. guy at work just paid $1000 for a new compressor only.

Air con system is not complexed it is really quite simple to remove and refit components but the gas side must be done by a licenced tech.

 
Jetcrew.

[fazza81]

Just to add this won't help at all but R134A is now in world wide shortage expect gas pricing to up. This is due to the new gas phasing in starting next year in all new motor cars I forget what the new gas is called.

On a side note you A/C tech should by law charge the system with nitrogen if he is looking for a leak otherwise he is knowingly releasing gas to atsmophere and can get in trouble.

[Jon]

Thanks Jon,
Only since Oct/Nov

 
Mike

Pretty sure the refrigerant type is on your vehicle id or conpliance plate somewhere. Used to be on my work Rodeo's.
R134a is going up in price but due to market demand this is not the only mobile plant refrigerant.
Google Dupont or Suva for info on the different gases.