Need to buy a new A/C Compressor I used some if that refrigerant you can buy at autozone because my A/C was just poor. The night after using it my A/C only blew hot air. I took it to a local shop where they vacuumed out whatever was in there and put freon and dye in.

Long story short they told me the clutch will spin by hand but that I needed a new compressor , some sort of valve and a dryer. When they quoted me for the job I had them take out all of the freon etc. and left. Their vague explanation was that the recharge AC bottle I used that contained some sort of sealant that broke everything.

Now to the point. The dealership charges $950 for the compressor, I believe it is a Denso from what he said. I have been using the google machine and I see refurbished, non-OEM and other brand compressors and kits from $250-350 for the compressor or $525 forma kit with new off brand compressor.

Anyone have any experience with non-OEM compressors? If so what kinds would you suggest? I thought I could ride it out until winter but San Antonio is just too hot. Thanks in advance for any tips. I would like to buy this ASAP.

I was looking at this site amongst others. Any thoughts or more importantly actual experiences would be great.

--
Sent from my iPad

 

Haven't replaced the compressor, but some insight..
The dryer is replaced anytime the system is opened...the expansion valve/orifice is often replaced as a prevenative mantance once the system is opened...(usually comes in a kit with a new compressor+dryers).
Why it failed? Might have been broke before you added r134a...or added too much, and dammaged someing....too much is as bad as not enough.
Also i read somewhere mini uses a higher grade oil than the typical PAG oil used in the kits...not sure of the viscosity level, but a few differant grades are avalable...
This might havr been a case of going cheap turned $$, or maybe the system was already messed up, and you only lost $20 on the 134a/sealer....

 

Thanks Grey. I just wanted to make sure people were running non OEM ACs and not having issues. My A/C NEVER cooled like any other car I owned in the first place.

 

Mine either....maybe to save on HP the originals were "Energy Star" certified like the rather anemic refigerator we are stuck with now .

 

C'mon. The worst heat is over. It's a balmy 91 degrees F out right now.

Good luck. Broken AC is no fun.

Is this the first major (expensive) problem you've had with your MINI?