The AC on the Focus stopped working last fall and just got it to the shop today. Back in 97 I had a 86 Cavalier where the AC compressor decided to go belly up to the tune of over $600.. and that was in 97 dollars. So when they said it was the compressor for I ready for the shocker. But I was a bit surprised when they quoted me for a shy over $500 for everything. And that's what it came out to. Feel like I got a pretty good deal. Of course my wife balked but doesn't have to drive it everyday.. sure didn't want to trade me vehicles!! Finally a nice defrosted windshield.
Focus AC compressor replacement.. I'm amazed
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I have to 2nd your amazement. Aunt has an 02 FoFo and its peppy and fun.. but .. oh n/m bad person not-so-great maintenance-wise car.
You were expecting $1000 bill right!
You were expecting $1000 bill right!
Much of this is because you can buy a brand new compressor from China that is the same shape and style of the OEM compressor.
If you think paying $600 in 1997 for a 1986 model was bad, you should have seen what happens if you owned a Nissan Maxima that was built between 1985 and 1988! You would never get more than 3 years from a compressor, and the compressors were also very costly.
If you think paying $600 in 1997 for a 1986 model was bad, you should have seen what happens if you owned a Nissan Maxima that was built between 1985 and 1988! You would never get more than 3 years from a compressor, and the compressors were also very costly.
I am going to guess that this was an aftermarket, presumably Chinese compressor.
What was the warranty on the job?
What was the warranty on the job?
Originally Posted By: 45ACP
I have to 2nd your amazement. Aunt has an 02 FoFo and its peppy and fun.. but .. oh n/m bad person not-so-great maintenance-wise car.
You were expecting $1000 bill right!
Yes based on the cost in 97 much more. I wouldn't say mine is peppy, fun maybe but comfortable more like it. Just have to watch out for the valve seats is about the only thing wrong at close to 100k.
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Much of this is because you can buy a brand new compressor from China that is the same shape and style of the OEM compressor.
If you think paying $600 in 1997 for a 1986 model was bad, you should have seen what happens if you owned a Nissan Maxima that was built between 1985 and 1988! You would never get more than 3 years from a compressor, and the compressors were also very costly.
That's what has steered me from a few Nissan's I looked at.. parts and prices worried me. Talk about a bad design!
I have to 2nd your amazement. Aunt has an 02 FoFo and its peppy and fun.. but .. oh n/m bad person not-so-great maintenance-wise car.
You were expecting $1000 bill right!
Yes based on the cost in 97 much more. I wouldn't say mine is peppy, fun maybe but comfortable more like it. Just have to watch out for the valve seats is about the only thing wrong at close to 100k.
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Much of this is because you can buy a brand new compressor from China that is the same shape and style of the OEM compressor.
If you think paying $600 in 1997 for a 1986 model was bad, you should have seen what happens if you owned a Nissan Maxima that was built between 1985 and 1988! You would never get more than 3 years from a compressor, and the compressors were also very costly.
That's what has steered me from a few Nissan's I looked at.. parts and prices worried me. Talk about a bad design!
Did they replace the accumulator too?
Originally Posted By: The Critic
I am going to guess that this was an aftermarket, presumably Chinese compressor.
What was the warranty on the job?
Not sure as it rained tonight and will again tomorrow. Will look when get time. 90 days is the warranty. They get their parts from Napa or OReilly's can't remember which. I looked at compressor prices most new run about 20-30 cheaper than what they put on the ticket. Not saying it's not a rebuilt though. The place I took it to our company specifically our department uses... I would say more but won't!
I am going to guess that this was an aftermarket, presumably Chinese compressor.
What was the warranty on the job?
Not sure as it rained tonight and will again tomorrow. Will look when get time. 90 days is the warranty. They get their parts from Napa or OReilly's can't remember which. I looked at compressor prices most new run about 20-30 cheaper than what they put on the ticket. Not saying it's not a rebuilt though. The place I took it to our company specifically our department uses... I would say more but won't!
Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
Originally Posted By: 45ACP
I have to 2nd your amazement. Aunt has an 02 FoFo and its peppy and fun.. but .. oh n/m bad person not-so-great maintenance-wise car.
You were expecting $1000 bill right!
Yes based on the cost in 97 much more. I wouldn't say mine is peppy, fun maybe but comfortable more like it. Just have to watch out for the valve seats is about the only thing wrong at close to 100k.
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Much of this is because you can buy a brand new compressor from China that is the same shape and style of the OEM compressor.
If you think paying $600 in 1997 for a 1986 model was bad, you should have seen what happens if you owned a Nissan Maxima that was built between 1985 and 1988! You would never get more than 3 years from a compressor, and the compressors were also very costly.
That's what has steered me from a few Nissan's I looked at.. parts and prices worried me. Talk about a bad design!
Sounds like your engine is the SPI...and ya, valve seats are an issue on those. The Zetec from that vintage was a substantially more powerful motor...not perfect, but plenty to give the Focus a bit of zip.
If you ever get the chance to drive a 2003-2004 with the 2.3L engine...they are a hoot! Not so much the HP, but the stump pulling torque...at least by small car standards.
Originally Posted By: 45ACP
I have to 2nd your amazement. Aunt has an 02 FoFo and its peppy and fun.. but .. oh n/m bad person not-so-great maintenance-wise car.
You were expecting $1000 bill right!
Yes based on the cost in 97 much more. I wouldn't say mine is peppy, fun maybe but comfortable more like it. Just have to watch out for the valve seats is about the only thing wrong at close to 100k.
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Much of this is because you can buy a brand new compressor from China that is the same shape and style of the OEM compressor.
If you think paying $600 in 1997 for a 1986 model was bad, you should have seen what happens if you owned a Nissan Maxima that was built between 1985 and 1988! You would never get more than 3 years from a compressor, and the compressors were also very costly.
That's what has steered me from a few Nissan's I looked at.. parts and prices worried me. Talk about a bad design!
Sounds like your engine is the SPI...and ya, valve seats are an issue on those. The Zetec from that vintage was a substantially more powerful motor...not perfect, but plenty to give the Focus a bit of zip.
If you ever get the chance to drive a 2003-2004 with the 2.3L engine...they are a hoot! Not so much the HP, but the stump pulling torque...at least by small car standards.
I remember being quoted $2,000 on a '91 Toyota Cressida's AC compressor replacement back in '97 or so too.
Of course, I ended up replacing the compressor myself for something like $100 and refilling it with R134A thru a retrofit kit for another $30.
Of course, I ended up replacing the compressor myself for something like $100 and refilling it with R134A thru a retrofit kit for another $30.
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Much of this is because you can buy a brand new compressor from China that is the same shape and style of the OEM compressor.
Oh, but that Chinese compressor is built to the same exacting standards and attention to quality as an OEM Ford one would be!
:laughing
Much of this is because you can buy a brand new compressor from China that is the same shape and style of the OEM compressor.
Oh, but that Chinese compressor is built to the same exacting standards and attention to quality as an OEM Ford one would be!
:laughing
Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
90 days is the warranty.
Is it just me, or does that seem like a very short warranty?
I'm no A/C expert, but I believe there are other parts that need to be replaced at the same time. Maybe skipping some of those parts of the job made it so cheap?
90 days is the warranty.
Is it just me, or does that seem like a very short warranty?
I'm no A/C expert, but I believe there are other parts that need to be replaced at the same time. Maybe skipping some of those parts of the job made it so cheap?
Not bad! Hang on to their business card.
Originally Posted By: pzev
Sounds like your engine is the SPI...and ya, valve seats are an issue on those. The Zetec from that vintage was a substantially more powerful motor...not perfect, but plenty to give the Focus a bit of zip.
If you ever get the chance to drive a 2003-2004 with the 2.3L engine...they are a hoot! Not so much the HP, but the stump pulling torque...at least by small car standards.
My sisters first car was a Contour with the Zetec.. of yeah that thing had zip. Can't say anything else good about the car although it's still on the road with over 300k. I know about the 2.3L a buddy has one it has some go to it.
I don't fault the Focus for the AC. It set the last 2.5-3 years since my sister got sick. In that time my dad drove it mostly and never uses the AC. All his AC's don't work for this reason.
As far as replacing the other parts don't know. They do enough AC work they should know what they're doing. I'm guessing the compressor didn't actually go bad internally. I probably could of did it cheaper myself but frankly I'm starting to learn to farm out some things cheaper and easier in the long run. I'll just do some OT at work to even it out.
Sounds like your engine is the SPI...and ya, valve seats are an issue on those. The Zetec from that vintage was a substantially more powerful motor...not perfect, but plenty to give the Focus a bit of zip.
If you ever get the chance to drive a 2003-2004 with the 2.3L engine...they are a hoot! Not so much the HP, but the stump pulling torque...at least by small car standards.
My sisters first car was a Contour with the Zetec.. of yeah that thing had zip. Can't say anything else good about the car although it's still on the road with over 300k. I know about the 2.3L a buddy has one it has some go to it.
I don't fault the Focus for the AC. It set the last 2.5-3 years since my sister got sick. In that time my dad drove it mostly and never uses the AC. All his AC's don't work for this reason.
As far as replacing the other parts don't know. They do enough AC work they should know what they're doing. I'm guessing the compressor didn't actually go bad internally. I probably could of did it cheaper myself but frankly I'm starting to learn to farm out some things cheaper and easier in the long run. I'll just do some OT at work to even it out.
Originally Posted By: Chris142
Did they replace the accumulator too?
Not only that, the orifice tube would have to be replaced, and in many modern cars, it is impossible to flush out a condenser, so those have to be replaced at the same time.
Did they replace the accumulator too?
Not only that, the orifice tube would have to be replaced, and in many modern cars, it is impossible to flush out a condenser, so those have to be replaced at the same time.
Well that was quick.. noticed a little green drip on the driveway. Similar to how it dripped before it stopped working before. It wasn't antifreeze. Turned the AC on to see if it see worked... that was a impressive freon cloud. Looks like the lower connection is loose. So back to the shop on Monday.. it happens sometimes although it better not happen twice!
I need to learn to hush more often. The high line apparently has a valve in it at the compressor. I guess either it stuck open or closed most likely closed and seeped out. That's how it was explained to me anyways. I asked them if that's what it was before and they said it wouldn't build pressure at all with the old compressor. Another $300 hopefully not wasted.
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