AC is working intermittedly! Help-garage wants $1100

[Anonymous]

That was my face at the estimate.

So the car, 2011 Chevy HHR, started blowing warm air. I believe the compressor is working because I can hear it cycle. I get cold air at start, for maybe 3 minutes, then back to hot. The garage wanted to replace compressor, condensor, everything basically.

I took it home and want to research possible causes and get a 2nd opinion. What might cause this?

[Anonymous]

Have you ever recharged with Freon?

[Anonymous]

You are probably leaking Freon. Recharge and keep driving. Every recharge should last you 2-3 years

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are probably leaking Freon. Recharge and keep driving. Every recharge should last you 2-3 years

Depends on the leak. Mine would last 3 days.

Yes, a leak will cost your over $1k to fix.

[Anonymous]

Agree with the pp's who suggest adding freon. You may need 2 cans.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all-I am going for another estimate tomorrow and I will ask about that, and if they will charge it. That sounds a lot better than new everything!

[Anonymous]

Went for the estimate, from someone I know and trust (hadn't gone there yet because I had to go on day off) and yep, it's the compressor!

Ugh. I do have a car repair fund I keep, knowing I have an older high mileage car, so it's ok. Still cheaper than car payments!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Went for the estimate, from someone I know and trust (hadn't gone there yet because I had to go on day off) and yep, it's the compressor!

Ugh. I do have a car repair fund I keep, knowing I have an older high mileage car, so it's ok. Still cheaper than car payments!!!

Bummer OP.

I too drive an older vehicle and I have learned that finding a good mechanic who is trustworthy is worth its weight in gold.

I set aside $1,000 a year for whatever vehicle maintenance issues are inevitably going to come up. And, like you, when those issues pop up, I tell myself it is cheaper than car payments.

[Anonymous]

My Jeep has a leaking compressor. Takes a large can in the spring and sometimes part of a small can in the late summer. $40/year in freon is much cheaper than $1200 for a whole new system. (Because if you open the system to change the compressor you'll also have to replace the dryer, which is almost everything.)

Leaks vary in size. If you're losing a charge in three days, then replace the compressor. If you're losing a charge in three months, then just charge it once or twice a season and don't worry about it in the winter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHg2xRMnM38

That video is a quick walk-through. A recharge kit is slightly more expensive the first time, but you can unscrew the trigger-charger-gauge piece and just buy a can the second time. If you're lucky, you'll find a "used" one in the trash outside AutoZone / O'Reilly / etc and won't even need to buy that part, just the can.

[Anonymous]

19:24, con't: BTW - the HHR is one of the worst cars I ever had as a rental. You may be better off junking it for something better. lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Went for the estimate, from someone I know and trust (hadn't gone there yet because I had to go on day off) and yep, it's the compressor!

Ugh. I do have a car repair fund I keep, knowing I have an older high mileage car, so it's ok. Still cheaper than car payments!!!

Bummer OP.

I too drive an older vehicle and I have learned that finding a good mechanic who is trustworthy is worth its weight in gold.

I set aside $1,000 a year for whatever vehicle maintenance issues are inevitably going to come up. And, like you, when those issues pop up, I tell myself it is cheaper than car payments.

+1, you’re not really going to get a car payment for $110 a month

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:19:24, con't: BTW - the HHR is one of the worst cars I ever had as a rental. You may be better off junking it for something better. lol

I never heard of the HHR before. Had to google it. Holy heck that thing is ugly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My Jeep has a leaking compressor. Takes a large can in the spring and sometimes part of a small can in the late summer. $40/year in freon is much cheaper than $1200 for a whole new system. (Because if you open the system to change the compressor you'll also have to replace the dryer, which is almost everything.)

Leaks vary in size. If you're losing a charge in three days, then replace the compressor. If you're losing a charge in three months, then just charge it once or twice a season and don't worry about it in the winter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHg2xRMnM38

That video is a quick walk-through. A recharge kit is slightly more expensive the first time, but you can unscrew the trigger-charger-gauge piece and just buy a can the second time. If you're lucky, you'll find a "used" one in the trash outside AutoZone / O'Reilly / etc and won't even need to buy that part, just the can.

We paid a fortune to have my Chevy repairs. It never worked right and we started doing what this person recommended.

[Anonymous]

This guy did not want an opinion of his car, he wanted help. I have an old accord that does this. It is the relay switch fuse for the AC. Check the fuse and see if it is loose. Mine gets loose every new and then and we plug it back in and the AC is back to normal. If not, recharge. I have an Equinox and for whatever reason, it blows warm air but every once in a full blue moon. I never troubleshooter that car as the next time I drove it, the air WS back on.