so i took my bronc to the shop and was quoted 1800 to fix my ac...they said it was totally shot..blower compresser etc....what should i do

 

Find another shop.

 

what is wrong eith a/c

 

There is nothing wrong with the ac that costs $1,800. That shop is ripping him off.

Replace the compressor and blower fan yourself, easy fixes both, then take it to the shop to get charged. $300 total. Even if it needs other parts, they are all easy to install on our trucks and then you just take it to the shop to get charged. You could get a whole new engine installed for $1,800!

 

That price does sound like BS.
I would check the blower before replacing, all you do is put 12v. too it.

 

Hi Leiguy: If memory serves I believe your year bronco still uses R-12. If you are changing the compressor and other parts, why not convert it to R-134a refrigerant. It costs a whole lot less and can be purchased by anyone over the counter. Good luck

 

bulldog288 1994 is the first year of R134 a
LEIGUY Your truck is a 1990 right ?
If you replace the condenser and compresser you can install a over the counter r134 a conversion kit to swap to the new style refridgent.
If the shop is trying to convert your truck,I have had Quotes of $ 1,100 bucks before but that was over 5 years ago.
I have done it myself without changing condenser and compresser It only worked for a few months

 

couple of things to consider...does the system leak at all? if there's no refrigerant in the system the compressor won't work. also, there could be water in the system if it leaks which will have to be removed before you recharge-in which case the accumulator should be replaced then too because there's a dessicant bag in there which is probably shot. There's a lot more to it then just slapping in some refrigerant and thinking it'll work. (not to say the guy isn't ripping you off)

 

He needs an evacuate and recharge after he installs the parts. They get everything out of the system first, all moisture and old freon and oil, and then they put new refrigerant in and the oil. It costs close to $100. I've even seen a home evacuation kit, but that was before the new laws so I don't know if they sell it anymore.

 

I know an autozone close too here rents an evac kit.
Also, the only thing too a conversion kit is oil freon and the fittings, all the stock components should work, my ranger doesent even have the fittings, cause I use normal gauges and at my dad's shop we buy the 30 pund bottles of freon.

 

Assuming everything is bad, You could probably replace all the parts yourself for about $600-$700 . That should cover all the major components and probably the hoses if they have a built in filter. Everything is fairly easy to replace and connect. Once it is bolted in, you can have a shop evacuate and recharge it for probably less than $100. If you have the proper eqiuipment(manifold gauge set and vacuum pump), you could do the procedure yourself and save a little more. $1800 is a little more than twice what you should reasonably expect to pay.

 

One thing you never hear about is that the seal used in the old R-12 compressors, the R-12 o-rings used in the system and if I remember correctly, the R-12 low and high pressure hoses are not compatable with the R-134A refrigerant. They will hold for a while, maybe even a year or so but eventually will disintegrate. Best bet if changing to R-134A is to get a new compressor, dryer, orifice tube (which BTW there are different color orifice tubes for R-12 and R-134A; they have different size orifices), change out all o-rings and completely flush the system with flush and nitrogen. Add the correct amount of oil (R-134A compatable) for your complete system. Pull a vacuum for an hour or so and check for leaks. If no leaks, pull vacuum for several hours and recharge. Thats how I do it anyway. My converted R-12 to R-134A systems have worked great. BTW, probably 1/2 of the shops $1800.00 estimate is labor at $40-$50 per hour and at that price, it should be done right and they should stand behind it. Another cost is, they mark up their parts prices approximately 25% higher than you or I can buy them at a parts store. Another cost is the refrigerant, especially if they were going back with R-12. I think the total cost should be somewhere in the neighborhood of $1200.00 for a complete R-134A conversion with new parts from a competent shop. This is all just in my own opinion and is subject to being questioned and ridiculed by everyone else in this forum. I am still right though! LOL

 

horton-racingI think your right o rings must be what got me.