Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum

Hi, I don’t know anything about AC units and just want some input from people who do. I got a new (used) car a while back and thought the AC wasn’t working because it just needed freon, but it all leaked right out and my mechanic told me it was the compressor.

Here’s the problem. He just spent the last three days working on this after breaking a screw (or bolt? English isn’t his first language and my dad said there shouldn’t be any screws involved) so he spent a long time getting that out. Told me it was ready today, then I had to wait another hour after I got there for them to do something that they didn’t really explain to me. Then they finished, told me I had to come back to get the system cleaned another day for it to work, and sent me on my way with a bill for the compressor and still no working AC.

Does that sound right? He said he won’t charge me for labor until I go back. But I’m kind of afraid he messed something up and is using this system-cleaning thing as a cover to fix a mistake. I’d already planned on never going back because he never told me when anything went wrong and continually pushed back when it would be done, causing my partner to have to Uber to work for two days and to be late today because he refuses to communicate. Just the worst experience I’ve ever had with a business and it caused a lot of stress.

I’ll be honest, I don’t even want to go back to him for this. If a system cleaning is really all it needs, I’ll take it somewhere else and tell him I’ll drop off a check for the labor he just did. But at this point I just don’t trust him and need someone to point me in the right direction.

TIA

Unfortunately, your mechanic knows less about mobile AC than you do.
Do NOT go back.
I suppose pay him whatever you think, but if he has 3 days labor, then a competent pro could have rebuilt 6 systems in that time.

Run, don't walk, to another shop as fast as possible
See if you can find a MACS certified shop
You can punch up your location on this page to locate a shop
https://www.macsw.org/Web/MACS/About_Us ... 208380f733

amsmi48 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 11, 2022 1:26 pm Then they finished, told me I had to come back to get the system cleaned another day for it to work, and sent me on my way with a bill for the compressor and still no working AC.

Not sure that I understand what the shop means by getting the system cleaned. It could mean that they haven't yet evacuated ("cleaned") the system of all air and moisture, and replaced the receiver/dryer, prior to recharging. If so, it's certainly an odd choice of words.

If the compressor was new, I wonder whether the shop also replaced the condenser--usually required by the manufacturer to maintain the compressor's warranty.

What is the year, make, and model of the vehicle in question?

It’s a 2011 Ford Focus SEL. I don’t think he replaced the condenser.

Okay...since you're considering taking the car to another shop, as suggested earlier and which I also recommend, explain the situation to them and see what they say is needed to get it running properly. For your info, the specs that I have for your car call for 18 ounces net weight of R-134a and 4.1 fluid ounces of PAG-46 oil.

All right, thank you for the advice!