Is there a cheap way to fix busted A/C?
As not every shop does air conditioning repairs, many consumers head back to their dealerships when their vehicle’s air vents blow more hot air than a politician. But as there are usually large dollars involved in even a simple repair, doing a little legwork and asking the right questions can pay off big time, while still leaving you as cool as the proverbial cucumber.
DEALERS WILL USUALLY STICK WITH FACTORY PARTS
For the most part, dealership service departments source repair parts and components exclusively from their factory warehouse systems and are hesitant to seek other solutions, but you’ll never know unless you ask. As an example, a less-than-rare problem with the current Dodge Grand Caravan is a leaking rear evaporator. Like most minivans with rear A/C, the rear unit is equipped with its own heater core, A/C evaporator, and blower fan. The main system up front provides hot coolant for the heater and cooled refrigerant gas for A/C to the rear via a long set of flexible aluminum tubes.
However, bumps and vibrations can take their toll on the evaporator by creating small cracks where the tubes meet the finned structure. A new rear evaporator from FCA retails for $646, while aftermarket replacements can be had for as little as $120. Yes, the Dodge unit comes with an expansion valve attached, but it’s not necessary just to replace a leaking evaporator. Any HVAC repair that involves accessing either the front or rear housing is labour intensive, and therefore expensive proposition.
An easier and cheaper alternative is to simply cut the rear A/C evaporator out of the system by blocking the feed and return tubes. This only requires two small, lowpriced metal caps and a few hours of a tech’s time. Yes, it leaves you without rear A/C, but the front unit should have improved performance thanks to the reduced volume of circulation without the rear system being hooked up. This repair can come in under $450 or so, depending on shop rates, while replacing the rear evaporator can easily top $1,200 or more.
AFTERMARKET PARTS CAN BE AN OPTION
Other savings can be obtained by sourcing non-factory parts, when available. If you’re driving a particularly popular ride, you’ll find a surprisingly large number of A/C components such as compressors, condensers, lines, evaporators, and valves from a variety of companies. Sometimes, the price differences are small and therefore outweighed by better warranties with OEM components, and with certain parts, the automaker is the only source, but you’ll never know unless you ask.
AVOID DIY REPAIRS
Above all, stay away from DIY recharging kits with leak sealant combined with their version of refrigerant gas. These kits usually use a butane-gas derivative for the refrigerant and it’s just as flammable as it sounds. As well, the sealant used can seriously gum up professional shop recharge equipment, which is where your vehicle usually ends up because the DIY sealant trick failed. If this sealant gets ingested into a recharge station, it can cause a malfunction and then you’ll be facing a repair bill for the shop’s equipment on top of your vehicle’s.