I have a 5th generation Camaro SS, and last Friday the AC compressor went out.

Took it by Sevcik's and had them confirm my diagnosis and was told that it would need the full system replaced and would be looking anywhere between $2,000 to $3,000. I understand for a new AC system and warranty they would need to replace lines, condenser, etc. but would it be possible just to replace the compressor and recharge the existing system?

If so, do y'all know of anyone locally who would do a repair like that? The part itself is only $150 to $300 online, depending on new vs. refurbished and I got a quote at Napa for around $500.

*cross-posted in Automotive

I'd get Brazos Valley Automotive to take a look at is as well and quote you the fix. I'm curious why Sevcik's says you need all the lines and everything else replaced as well. Was it a catastrophic blow up of the compressor? But Sevcik's is a good shop with a good reputation. I would think if they're telling you it's that much there's a reason for replacing more than just the compressor.

Anyway, it's not going to be cheap. Last time that I just needed a compressor it was still around $1000. You can rent a vacuum pump and do it yourself I suppose.

I'll definitely reach out to them! Thank you!

And just so people know, I like Sevcik's and I'm good friends with the shop in general. I actually reached out to see if they could do just the compressor today and am awaiting a reply. I believe they gave me that total cost because if they change all of the parts in the system then they are be able to warranty the whole thing, if they were to only do the compressor they couldn't warranty any of the repair due to the old parts in the system. That's my thought process at least.

Ez garage - paco

979 676 035 two

Hwy 40 and Victoria. Give him a call first.

Tell him you found him via texags

Reached out to Paco, going to take the car by tomorrow, but he sounds like the guy for the job so far! Thanks for the recommendation.

Brazos Valley Auto.otive is your answer. They will only charge you for what you truly need and nothing more. They also warranty their used parts for a year and sometimes longer (if you choose to use parts that are used for a less expensive repair cost)...

I know many love Sevcik's but I don't see it. The one time I took a car there, it was not a good experience at all.

scd88 said:

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I know many love Sevcik's but I don't see it. The one time I took a car there, it was not a good experience at all.

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I used to take my truck there for service, then decided just to use the dealer as it got older. Ran a carfax and now I am flagged for a reversal of odometer because someone at their quick express didn't enter the mileage correctly one time and then the next time when it was entered correctly it looks like the mileage went backwards. I had no idea until the Carfax was pulled.

I preemptively replaced my compressor in my old truck for this very reason. (it was starting to make noises and was almost 200K on the odometer). If the compressor locks up it can send metal and other nasty bits into the system which has some very small orifices and tubes.

Doesn't take much and there is no sure-fire way to clean it all out.

Just depends on how much risk you are willing to take.

scd88 said:

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I know many love Sevcik's but I don't see it. The one time I took a car there, it was not a good experience at all.

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Classic example of a good reputation built by people who are no longer involved with the business. Leon's son and son-in-law have tried to keep the business going after he passed but there's no way they could run as tight a ship as he did.

Pantera said:

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Reached out to Paco, going to take the car by tomorrow, but he sounds like the guy for the job so far! Thanks for the recommendation.

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Kiss that money goodbye

I had a similar issue and took it to Christian Brothers because I could get in that day and they said I was going to have to replace the whole system because of the metal flake issue and then I took it to BV Automotive and they said it was just the compressor but it didn't blow up so it was about $3K less than my original quote. That was about two months ago or so and it's been fine ever since.

That's a long way of saying BV Automotive will be my first call from now on.

You're welcome.

Been using Olympic Automotive in 29th in Bryan for decades. Good, honest mechanics.

For what it's worth, when a compressor catastrophically fails, as opposed to a slow leak death, it makes a huge mess in the system that has to be flushed many components replaced. Why would you do otherwise? That's why they want to do everything. It's necessary. Anyone doing it cheaper is cutting corners, which I agree is totally what you've requested they do, but the end result will be another repair before long or one plagued with issues. Do it right the first time.

You will never save money by trying to save money.

I don't really understand why one place would say that did happen and another place would say it didn't though. I didn't tell the second place what the first place said or even that I'd been somewhere else already, just asked them to check it out and tell me what's wrong with it.

aggiepaintrain said:

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Pantera said:

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Reached out to Paco, going to take the car by tomorrow, but he sounds like the guy for the job so far! Thanks for the recommendation.

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Kiss that money goodbye

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So far so good. Thanks for the well wishes though!

Just did my wife's Jeep Patriot this weekend. I replaced the expansion valve, drier, compressor, and serpentine belt (after 120k and having to take it off anyway). All of that plus flushing solvent and freon cost me about $850. Took me a lot longer than it should have being my first time. I could probably do it in ~4 hours now. Had to buy a refrigerant tap and borrow a flush kit, ac manifold, and vacuum pump from AutoZone.

If you can find videos online, are halfway mechanically inclined, have a weekend to burn, and really need/want to save the money, I'd say try it yourself. Otherwise, I've had good luck with Rodriguez Auto Repair on William J Bryan.

I would take that opportunity to buy myself a nice vacuum pump and do it myself and save $2000.