(cross posted to Auto board)
TLDR version;
How much should I expect AC compressor to cost for a 2009 F150, parts & labor?
Long version:
We noticed our 2009 F150 was blowing cool, but not cold, air. Since we haven't found a mechanic we love in BCS yet we took it to the local Ford dealership understanding it would cost a bit more but maybe they would know what they are doing and fix it right the first time. After the initial testing, they said it was one AC actuator out which was a $50 part but, since it was buried in the dash, they recommend replacing both units for a bargain cost of $1850 with parts & labor. I grimaced and paid as the truck has been fairly good for us over the last 106K miles.
We picked up the truck and not only was the air still blowing cool, not cold, but they had cracked the plastic piece covering the speedometer when they put it back together. We called and scheduled another service visit to get that fixed (for free) and to recheck the AC. This time they said it was a leaky exhaust manifold (aka pipe) and that would be $650 to fix. I ok'd that repair. The day after it was supposed to be ready they called again and now say it is a bad & leaky compressor and that will be another $1100 to fix. So now we are in about $3600 to fix an AC on a 6 year old 106K mile vehicle. I told them no thanks and to put it back together and we will take it elsewhere or just not fix it.
Is this a typical sequence of events? It seems sloppy that they cannot figure out that the compressor is bad right away but I know next to nothing about vehicles.
And what should I expect to pay parts & labor for a replacement ac compressor? I would be fine with OEM/Refurb unit.
Also any BCS area mechanic suggestions? We tried Christian Bros and I thought they were pricey but seemed to do ok work on my 2007 Miata, at least they fixed it properly.
They called this morning after we picked it up and said they are appealing to Ford to help them with the compressor cost, which is nice I guess but whatever.
TLDR version;
How much should I expect AC compressor to cost for a 2009 F150, parts & labor?
Long version:
We noticed our 2009 F150 was blowing cool, but not cold, air. Since we haven't found a mechanic we love in BCS yet we took it to the local Ford dealership understanding it would cost a bit more but maybe they would know what they are doing and fix it right the first time. After the initial testing, they said it was one AC actuator out which was a $50 part but, since it was buried in the dash, they recommend replacing both units for a bargain cost of $1850 with parts & labor. I grimaced and paid as the truck has been fairly good for us over the last 106K miles.
We picked up the truck and not only was the air still blowing cool, not cold, but they had cracked the plastic piece covering the speedometer when they put it back together. We called and scheduled another service visit to get that fixed (for free) and to recheck the AC. This time they said it was a leaky exhaust manifold (aka pipe) and that would be $650 to fix. I ok'd that repair. The day after it was supposed to be ready they called again and now say it is a bad & leaky compressor and that will be another $1100 to fix. So now we are in about $3600 to fix an AC on a 6 year old 106K mile vehicle. I told them no thanks and to put it back together and we will take it elsewhere or just not fix it.
Is this a typical sequence of events? It seems sloppy that they cannot figure out that the compressor is bad right away but I know next to nothing about vehicles.
And what should I expect to pay parts & labor for a replacement ac compressor? I would be fine with OEM/Refurb unit.
Also any BCS area mechanic suggestions? We tried Christian Bros and I thought they were pricey but seemed to do ok work on my 2007 Miata, at least they fixed it properly.
They called this morning after we picked it up and said they are appealing to Ford to help them with the compressor cost, which is nice I guess but whatever.
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