A/C Repair

[meathax]

My first post on here. I wasn't sure where to ask this question but I figured this was as good a place as any.
A/C blowing hot air. Dealership says it is a Leaking Accumulator and will cost $450.00 to fix. Does this seem excessive?
A local place quoted half that price. '05 Grand Marquis. I know it's not a Marauder but I'm hoping it's close enough

[fastblackmerc]

My first post on here. I wasn't sure where to ask this question but I figured this was as good a place as any.
A/C blowing hot air. Dealership says it is a Leaking Accumulator and will cost $450.00 to fix. Does this seem excessive?
A local place quoted half that price. '05 Grand Marquis. I know it's not a Marauder but I'm hoping it's close enough

Don't go to a dealership, they get top $$$ for parts and labor.

Get a recommendation from friends, neighbors, coworkers, car forum, etc. for a good dependable independent repair shop.

Accumulator is around $50.00 - specify an aluminum replacement
Orifice tube, another $8.00
Evacuate and recharge about $150.00 (including freon)
Total labor around 2 hours.

[meathax]

Thanks for your reply. I'm going to try the local place. Cant hurt to try anyway

[JohnnyCashMerc]

Dude I did mine myself for just the cost of the accumulator and a few simple tools. I'm no mechanic but it's simple. Anyone with just a little time and mechanical understanding can do it. all you need is a $15 line release kit from autozone. The accumulator, Which I recommend the Four Seasons 8348 $29 on amazon. (word of caution.. make sure system is not presurized anymore.. If it's blowing hot it most likely is not.) Use the line diconnect tool and release the 2 lines on the accumulator (Keep in mind which one goes where), unsnap the wire connect, then climb under the car and unbolt the bracket holding to the frame pull it out.. unwrap the old insulation and put it on the new one. Loosen the bolts for bracket and pull old one out, put the new one in the old bracket. unbolt the wire plug from old one and put it on new, climb back under and bolt it in place.. reach in from the top and plug the hoses and the wire to matching lines and hot damn your ready to go get your a/c recharged. So for about $45 and a an hours work you could save a few hundred bucks.

[Zack]

Accumulator is $36 from NAPA.
Recharge cost me $40.

Simple

[sflrainmaker01]

Don't go to a dealership, they get top $$$ for parts and labor.

Get a recommendation from friends, neighbors, coworkers, car forum, etc. for a good dependable independent repair shop.

Accumulator is around $50.00 - specify an aluminum replacement
Orifice tube, another $8.00
Evacuate and recharge about $150.00 (including freon)
Total labor around 2 hours.

at ~$100/hr for labor that would total (with tax and shop supplies, etc) pretty close to $450.

[fastblackmerc]

at ~$100/hr for labor that would total (with tax and shop supplies, etc) pretty close to $450.

I don't know about Fla. but independent shops around here charge about $50.00 / hour. Dealerships are about $75.00 - $90.00.