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susannavsusanna
Novice
Aug 5, 2010, 10:17 AM
Post #1 of 14
(1698 views)
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Hi and thank you for any help!
I have a 2004 Toyota Corolla that I had in the shop last month. They charged me for a dye test, freon charge and cleaning the vents because there was moisture in them causing the coolness to not reach a certain degree (I think they said 40-something degrees).
My mechanic indicated it was a slow leak. I said would that be a problem. They indicated no but I should have the filters replaced next year.
Three weeks later, it is blowing hot air again - they had charged $180 to do the dye and charge. They are scheduled to look at it tomorrow, without a charge, but if they find something else wrong, they will charge me again.
Did I get good service? I wasn't called to replace anything or repair anything. They just went ahead with the charging of the AC and said it would last awhile.
Thank you!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 5, 2010, 10:29 AM
Post #2 of 14
(1692 views)
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You can bet they will find something wrong. You went in the first time with low refrigerant which indicates a leak somewhere. They recharged the system which will give you cold air but apparently they either could not find the leak or didn't look hard enough so they recharged a leaking system. You will likely be looking at a major repair when they determine which component is leaking. What they should do in that case is credit the money you were charged for the recharge to apply toward the actual repair.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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susannavsusanna
Novice
Aug 5, 2010, 10:50 AM
Post #3 of 14
(1687 views)
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Thank you so much - you have been a big help. My gut was telling me they should have found something in the first place before adding the freon.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 5, 2010, 10:52 AM
Post #4 of 14
(1683 views)
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If it leaked out that fast, then yes, they should have been able to find something if they know what they're doing. The problem is that they may not. It's a pressurized, clear, odorless gas and not always easy to find.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 6, 2010, 3:04 AM
Post #5 of 14
(1674 views)
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Sounds ok to me so far. Leaks can be VERY slow and hard to find. Some are just grams / year and it's said that some is normal. I've seen some go much longer and some not with no clear evidence.
Some can be a stupid 5 cent O ring and some expensive. When and if It doesn't cool to expectations be fast to find the area and hope dye shows it at proof. Leaks are about 65% of all reasons A/C doesn't cool properly BTW,
T
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susannavsusanna
Novice
Aug 6, 2010, 11:28 AM
Post #6 of 14
(1664 views)
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Thanks for all the advice. I did get it checked, I need an air compressor because there are leaks in the front of the compressor. The cost would be $685 and they would not reimburse any part of the $170 they charged last month.
I'll just have to live with it through this heat until I can afford to fix it. Thanks again.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 6, 2010, 11:47 AM
Post #7 of 14
(1660 views)
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That's not really fair since they should have found that leak last month BEFORE they charged you for recharging the system.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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susannavsusanna
Novice
Aug 6, 2010, 12:12 PM
Post #8 of 14
(1654 views)
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No it's not fair, but it's all about the money, and they just lost a customer.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 6, 2010, 12:19 PM
Post #9 of 14
(1651 views)
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I don't blame you on that one.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 6, 2010, 2:27 PM
Post #10 of 14
(1644 views)
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It's called a "shaft seal" and any idiot should if they charged you have found that. My suggestion is go new for a compressor not a reman. Beg, borrow or steal the bucks to fix that. Some (not me again) can do just that seal. That is if the rest of the compressor is ok. That's why I suggest NEW and a trusted shop that does A/C,
T
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susannavsusanna
Novice
Aug 6, 2010, 6:28 PM
Post #11 of 14
(1634 views)
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So I should go to another mechanic, and actually request a "shaft seal" if they think the remainder of the compressor is good? They did say the leak was on the "front" of the compressor. That's why I walked without doing it.
When I called the mechanic I used to go to, they wouldn't give me a price until they saw it. They would charge $30 just to look at it and give their advice. The wife of the owner said "you wouldn't go to two hospitals asking how much do you charge for a heart stent." I'm not sure how I am supposed to apply this to my car.
I'm going to check the warranty, though I doubt the compressor is covered, and the car is a 2004 Toyota.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 6, 2010, 6:32 PM
Post #12 of 14
(1631 views)
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No, you don't want to just change a shaft seal. Just because it can be done doesn't mean it's a good idea. Most places don't even have the tools to do that anyway. Definitely go get a second opinion and if they concur with the compressor diagnosis, replace the whole compressor with a new unit. You will also need to replace the drier at the same time.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Aug 6, 2010, 6:33 PM)
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susannavsusanna
Novice
Aug 6, 2010, 6:33 PM
Post #13 of 14
(1624 views)
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Ok - that's what I will do. Thanks for all your advice.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 6, 2010, 11:24 PM
Post #14 of 14
(1616 views)
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IMO and tons of techs will disagree. NEW not someone else's problems. Shaft seal is common and tolerances are insane. .0000000000000000001 MM -want to deal with that?
T
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