The full breakdown from my receipt:

Labor (CMC) - $626.05
Air Conditioner Compressor - $917.08
R134 (refrigerant) - $15.19
Gasket ring - $5.32
Gasket ring - $5.57

Total - $1569.21 plus tax

So not quite half for labor. The full bill including other items (windshield replacement, leaking oil pan gasket, and leaking power steering return hose) was about evenly split labor to parts.

 

I need help with my R53 A/C. The dealer quoted over $2,200 for compressor and receiver drier. I am looking for advice on a non dealer who would be more reasonable on pricing. I live in Scottsdale, Arizona. Anybody have any recommendations? I am sure I could do it myself but I do not have the time to spare and don't want to do it in this heat.

 

You can get new Compressor, drier and expansion valve from discountacparts.com off of E-bay for $435. I just did my 2005 S. You could do it yourself in about 5 hours or you can pay mechanic $80 - $100 per hour. I'd find the time, it's not that hard. All toll, I have about $700 in mine including diagnosis and recharge.

 

Clem,

I'm getting ready to go that route myself. I got the quote for around $1500 and decided to take care of it myself. When the SC died I replaced it myself and saved a ton of money.

 

Refer to my post #74 of this thread. It doesn't have to take 5 hours to do this job. No need for service mode, go from underneath. Compressor and drier ~$250, evac/recharge $120. Local shop wanted $1,100.

 

That's a possibility, but if I was replacing the compressor and drier, I would also flush out the condenser. You have to remove the front bumper cover to remove the condenser, so I decided to just go the Service Mode method for the extra working space.

 

Thanks Eric and Clem! I guess I will suck it up and and work in the 112 degree oven/garage. Maybe that will be a good excuse to buy a portable cooler. I guess I should replace the belt since I'm going to be that deep into it.

 

Mib, talk to Jerry @ Eurotechs, he's great with A/C systems and very fair with his pricing!
http://www.eurotechsaz.com/

(I just wish he was arround when I started this thread :P )

 

How do you flush the condenser?

 

After you remove it, run some A/C solvent through it and blow it out w/ air. If you use water to flush it, be sure it's dry before you reinstall it. Just like you would flush a radiator.

 

thanks!

 

09 Clubman S
similar symptoms as most others on this thread: a/c blowing cold one day, not the next.

Low speed radiator fan not functioning, system a full pound low on Freon.
Recharge with dye and radiator fan is working properly and a/c is blowing ice cold.
Obviously looking for a leak, but at least my compressor is intact.

UPDATE: 2 days later, no cold air.
Upon further inspection, found where the low side hard pipe had been rubbing against rubber axle grommet (see pic and gouge in rubber along with pipe.. )
This particular part has been upgraded 4 times since 08. Has anyone seen this behavior? Do I need to inspect motor mounts? What else could cause this rubbing? car has 51,000 miles on it and I don't drive it over curbs etc...