Clutch or Compressor?

Topic: Clutch or Compressor? (Read 3235 times) previous topic - next topic

Clutch or Compressor?

Reply #15 – July 28, 2010, 08:54:54 PM

WOW ! I'm glad I can do most repairs myself , $1600 is 4 times the purchase price of my car :hick:

Clutch or Compressor?

Reply #16 – July 28, 2010, 09:01:19 PM

Let me know how it comes out then - I'm curious as they should be able to do it in much less time. While it's odd for a place to estimate like that, perhaps they are planning for broken water pump bolts/studs and the work involved in extracting them (or repairs for more forceful removal of said broken bolts/studs)?

Not sure where that belt estimate could have come from - it's one of the easiest things to change on all cars. Some cars' batteries are more difficult to replace

Clutch or Compressor?

Reply #17 – July 28, 2010, 09:30:19 PM

Quote from: hypostang

WOW ! I'm glad I can do most repairs myself , $1600 is 4 times the purchase price of my car :hick:

If I had the time to, I would do it myself, too :burnout: ...but after 14 hour days, sometimes, I look at paying somebody to do it as a convenience. And, the car actually gets fixed. My Silverado's windshield wiper controls effed up about a year, or so, ago. Rather than spend 100$ for the part and the time (or labor) to put it in, it's just as easy to put the fuse in/out when it rains

Quote from: Seek

Let me know how it comes out then - I'm curious as they should be able to do it in much less time. While it's odd for a place to estimate like that, perhaps they are planning for broken water pump bolts/studs and the work involved in extracting them (or repairs for more forceful removal of said broken bolts/studs)?

They usually offer "worst case scenario," for me, but I'll keep the cost updated when I get the work done.

Clutch or Compressor?

Reply #18 – July 28, 2010, 10:44:14 PM

The system will have to be flushed and then evacuated, just like a hooker they'll charge for the time the pump is sucking...

Clutch or Compressor?

Reply #19 – July 28, 2010, 11:30:45 PM

Quote from: TurboCoupe50;329850

The system will have to be flushed and then evacuated, just like a hooker they'll charge for the time the pump is sucking...

Wouldn't be surprised. What's the standard protocol at places on how long they have to hold vacuum? I would assume most places would use something that can go down to some really low micron rating/close to perfect vacuum but if you truly had a decent pump, you'd only need to hold it for a couple minutes.

I would assume they'd also stop the pump and watch for leaks at the same time...and charge you for the time that they aren't doing anything but waiting. If this shop is as good as he says they are though, they'll ignore such time (I've gotten to work with some great shops around here lately - getting a lot of time and some materials without charge). Friendly shops wouldn't add these costs into the estimate in the first place. Maybe it's because I know how much effort some tasks would actually take though and they know it :p

Clutch or Compressor?

Reply #20 – July 31, 2010, 01:51:26 PM

Here's the exact quote ...

Compressor/Clutch Assembly - $484.73
Drier - $249.14
Orfice - $3.37
Flush - $89.95
Oil - $12.00
R134 2.12 - $40.18

For a total of $879.37 in parts (all Motorcraft parts)

6% tax - $52.77
Machine - $59.95
Labor - $249.50

For a grand total of $1286.59

I figure since I'm dropping that much coin, I'll get them to do the water pump and lower radiator hose. Here's the quote for that ...

Water Pump - $106.38
Antifreeze - $48.00
Total in Parts - $154.38

6% Tax - $9.27
Labor - $170.00

Total - $333.65

Grand Total - $1620.24

Clutch or Compressor?

Reply #21 – July 31, 2010, 04:44:53 PM

WOW, I'm more valuable than I thought, sure glad I do all my own work...

Other than the compressor being rather high the A/C job seems reasonable, but $170 to change a water pump on a 4.6 is insane... On models with a electric fan, it's a 20 minute job tops...

OOPs forgot you have a 3.8, I dunno what those involve to replace, never touched one(I refuse to even gaze inside a open hood of any Ford with with the 3.

...

Clutch or Compressor?

Reply #22 – July 31, 2010, 05:46:18 PM

Not sure about the cost of the drier as it seems a bit steep but I can't find the Motorcraft pricing. I know my '88's accumulator is like $80 but it was also used on the fox Mustangs of so many years. Compressor may be 30% high also but other than that, the costs seem reasonable - the typical going rate for certain tasks (individually - I would expect a little less since it's all happening at once). The listed A/C work should honestly only take them about an hour tops though (with exception of them charging for waiting for the vacuum pump/leak check).

I think similar work on the A/C on the '88's with r12 comes out to about $800 with labor at a shop with Motorcraft parts. I can only assume that the '97 parts are more rare as again, the fox Mustangs are very popular and have helped keep prices down on the fox tbirds.

The best thing most people can do who wish they could work on their own cars but afraid of the potential issues is to find a buddy to work with. They may not know more than you but you can share an agonizing experience with someone else :p

Clutch or Compressor?

Reply #23 – July 31, 2010, 09:18:15 PM

Quote from: Seek;330122

I can only assume that the '97 parts are more rare as again, the fox Mustangs are very popular and have helped keep prices down on the fox tbirds.

The A/C compressor was used on 57 different year/model Fords. From the '93 Aerostar to the 2003 F-250, to the '94-2004 Mustangs.

Clutch or Compressor?

Reply #24 – July 31, 2010, 09:46:06 PM

So far I have bought the following for the Sport....

-Compressor (used...but less than 1000 miles on it)
-bracket
-harness
-all three lines (new)
-smog delete
-belt (new)
-condenser (new)
-evaporator (new,but not using it)
-Steering pump for new a/c bracket (new,and FREE).

I have a total of $185.00 invested. I still have to have the guy convert it to the new stuff and install the seals,but I'll install all of the components themself.That'll save a lot I'm sure.Not hard,just time consuming.

Clutch or Compressor?

Reply #25 – August 01, 2010, 07:09:45 PM

Quote from: vinnietbird;330160

Not hard,just time consuming.

See, I don't have the time. So, by paying somebody to do it is a convenience for me, in a way.

It's not going to stay that way, though. Andi was talking about getting a carport built so I don't have to worry about it raining and a project not being done.

Clutch or Compressor?

Reply #26 – August 25, 2010, 07:25:06 PM

I know it's dangerous, but I was thinking ...I told you I knew it was dangerous ...

I'm gonna do the A/C work myself

Clutch or Compressor?

Reply #27 – August 28, 2010, 12:51:29 PM

Well . The head guy @ work's shop didn';t have the tools to take the lines apart. He has a buddy that owes him a favor, so looks like I'll bring the parts I bought to him to get done, I reckon.