2002 300m compressor seized
#1
2002 300m compressor seized
Toward the end of last summer I noticed my AC wasn't getting very cold so I brought it in to my mechanic and he recharged the system. It worked for about 2 weeks or so and then lost its cool again. Since the summer was over and the temp had dropped I decided to leave it as it was and see if I still had the problem next season. At worst I assumed I had a leak which could easily be repaired. As the problem still remained this year I brought the car back in 2 days ago and I was told my belt snapped and the compressor seized and needs to be replaced. I was quoted at around $500 for a new Chrysler compressor and about $335 for a used one. Labor cost to evac, install, and recharge would be about $350ish as well.
My brother in law owns a few auto parts stores and told me he could get me a brand new 4-seasons compressor for $180 and can have the entire job done with someone he knows for around $350-$400 total. If not, he can just get me the part and I can have my mechanic do the rest.
I really know nothing about this and could use some advice. Should I go with a new or used original Chrysler part or is an aftermarket compressor just as good? Do you guys know anything about 4-seasons compressors? Is there a reason I shouldn't go with that part? Do you think $650 is a fair price for the new 4-seasons compressor and labor?
My brother in law owns a few auto parts stores and told me he could get me a brand new 4-seasons compressor for $180 and can have the entire job done with someone he knows for around $350-$400 total. If not, he can just get me the part and I can have my mechanic do the rest.
I really know nothing about this and could use some advice. Should I go with a new or used original Chrysler part or is an aftermarket compressor just as good? Do you guys know anything about 4-seasons compressors? Is there a reason I shouldn't go with that part? Do you think $650 is a fair price for the new 4-seasons compressor and labor?
#2
Personally I would just rip the old compressor out and ditch the AC all together, it's useless..that's what windows are for.
But I would be confident that a non-OEM AC compressor would be fine, it's not like your car is under warranty or anything. Plus you save some serious coin. I wouldn't spend $650 for AC, I would go for the 4 seasons
But I would be confident that a non-OEM AC compressor would be fine, it's not like your car is under warranty or anything. Plus you save some serious coin. I wouldn't spend $650 for AC, I would go for the 4 seasons
#4
Living without AC is NOT an option. I decided to go with the 4seasons compressor and the entire repair plus the part cost $500. I think I got off relatively cheap. Hopefully I don't also have a hole in the line and have to recharge the system if it leaks out.
#5
So 1 year later and the AC is blowing hot again. Seems like the compressor is running fine. Is it normal for the AC to need a recharge again after only 1 year? What is the next step? I don't want to have to charge every year.
#7
Mechanic said he tested for a leak but couldn't find anything which makes him think I have a small leak in the evaporator core. Some online research indicates that while the part itself is cheap, the labor is crazy and will run quite a large sum. What is a good estimate on a 300m evap core change? It seems the recharge got me through last summer, should I just keep recharging every year until it won't get me through the summer? The car is @ 87000 miles and besides the AC compressor which seized and now this issue, so far I haven't had any major issues. I put about 12k on the car a year and was hoping to get at least another 2 years+ out of this car.
What do you guys think is the best course? What is the average life expectancy on the 2002 300m?
What do you guys think is the best course? What is the average life expectancy on the 2002 300m?
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