AC Compressor and Expansion valve - how much should it cost? Is $2100 reasonable?

[SIG8]

I had my AC Compressor changed along with expansion valve. It took three visits to my dealer to trouble shoot it and totaled about $2100. Evacuate and recharge ($250), Compressor and labor ($1400), Expansion valve and belts ($450 parts and labor with 10% discount on this part alone - would’ve been $500).

It seems that they put on a wrong belt so I might need to go back and get it resolved.

What is the consensus on these charges? Reasonable?

I have G8 GT (stock)

Thanks!



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[TooManyHobbies]

The compressor is expensive, but not that expensive. It looks like they raped you three times since it looks like you paid for labor three times. Evacuate and recharge, compressor labor, and belt labor is the same since they have to do them together. How much did they charge for the belt?

[SIG8]

That’s what I thought. Very aggravating. They told me that it was fixed after each job - but clearly it wasn’t and didn’t make sense how it could be either (recharging is clearly a troubleshooting step not a fix!). But I had to pay and pick it up each time after hours when service was closed so really couldn’t discuss it with them.

I’m used to having the labor and recharge cost being credited for the rest of the work, but clearly it wasn’t.

I requested them to put on the belts, because they just put the original belts back with visible cracks on with 150,000 on the clock and over 8 years! And they charged me $100 for both belts.

Essentially double price on the parts compared to gmpartsdirect, and three times the labor

[MIEngineer]

AC compressor book time is just over an hour according to a tech friend including charge removal.

Seems a bit low to me on time.

I would ask them to refund some labor costs if they took advantage

[tchr49]

Dispute it if it's on a card.

[Napalm]

These cars as too old now to be going to a dealer for repairs. If you can find you a good local shop that not affiliated you might be better off.

Yes that is too much - and I'm curious how they could have diagnosed it wrong enough to need 3 trips. what was it doing?

Good luck and hope it's fixed for a long while.

[Napalm]

well short of a new thread.

one year after tearing down my engine for lifter tick - my AC is no hissing when it's cut on. IE blows air - doesn't get that cool - and there is a hiss like sound from inside the dash.

My first inclination is that it's just low on refrigerant. I hope it's not the expansion valve. and I sure hope it's not the compressor - in fact I doubt it will be.

Is the expansion value near the evaporator on somewhere accessible outside of the firewall?

[STL_G8GT]

Expansion Valve 92192021 was original part, now listed as ac delco 1551385.

[Napalm]

what is the purpose of pulling the remote jump post and that starter cable?

And thank you for that - I'm worried I might have to replace that - looks fairly simple.

I do think I need to charge the system though.

[smwalker]

what is the purpose of pulling the remote jump post and that starter cable?

THose cables lay right over the frame rail AC fitting that is detailed in the next picture. Once you get the cable out of the way the Expansion to frame rail tube assembly can come out easily.