New AC in a 92 Bonneville

[malatu]

The ac in my 92 Bonneville is shot. I basically need an entirely new system to include the compressor, condenser etc. The entire job is going to cost me $1,400. Putting this kind of money into a car this old probably isn't the most logical thing but I really like the car and plan on keeping it for another three years ... maybe more (it has 204,000 miles on it and I only drive about 8,000 miles a year). This is quite a bit of money to stay cool for a couple of months out of the year. Before I do this, I'm giving you an opportunity to talk me out of this and or provide some ideas as to how to save some money on this job. Thanks!

[harofreak00]

How can you have an 02 SSEi and still "really like" the 92 SE enough to drop $1400 into it. You could buy a car exactly the same (maybe even an upgrade from the 92 SE) for $1400.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/cto/1133692238.html

[malatu]

I know exactly what you're saying. It's not logical but..... I know my car and I do like it (I do drive the 02 Ssei quite often though). It fits my butt perfectly. I had the tranny rebuilt about 60,000 miles ago and had some engine done ... . I've thought about buying a 98 or 99 but they are all high milage and ya just don't know what your getting with the kind of mileage on these cars. Like I say ... it's not very logical.

[wjcollier07]

If its not rusty...then its completely worth it if you plan to keep the car... its normal maintenance in that regard then

And I can personally completely understand loving an older SE just as much as, if not more than a newer car. I know its true with me.

So, compressor, condenser (probably pretty well rock damaged by now), your evaporator will need cleaning, accumulator, orifice tube, cleaning solvents, oil, and refrigerant. $1,400 is definitely going to be minimum, if you do everything yourself.

[malatu]

I wasn't going to do it myself..... I'm not that technical. I'm having it done by a local shop. Are you saying it would cost me $1400 if I were doing it myself? The quote I got included $1052 in parts and $360 in labor for a total of $1412.

Here is the estimate I was provided

Compressor $ 480
condenser 175
orifice 10
accumulator 52
hose assemb. 180
flush system 31
seals 35
oil and dye 30
fittings 20
misc 40
labor 360
Total 1412

[malatu]

I just bought all these parts to replace my ac from an online vendor discountacparts.com for less than half of the price the local shop quoted for parts which includes an oem compressor ....
I either bought some cheap *ss parts or the local shop was gouging me. I suspect it may be a combination of both. I got the compressor, condenser, orifice, accumulator, seals, and oil for $470.

Believe it or not, the local Pontiac dealership that'd a done some work for me in the past said they would install the ac components and charge it for me. We didn't talk price but I was floored when they said they would do it. Although, I bought front brake rotors and pads for my 2002 Ssei and they performed the installation for $89. No more than the tire shop was going to charge.

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

It sounds like they're being reasonable, so go for it! They must be hurting for business, or an old-timer is raring to have a crack at something they've not done in a while.

[mstrwolfgang]

Strange, I got my A/C compressor replaced, system converted off of R12 freon, and a freon recharge for under $500, parts AND labor. The only thing I can think of was that my new compressor was a re-man. Just my 2 cents...

P.S. It was the great Tire Mart down the street that hasn't let me down yet.

[Jrs3800]

I just bought all these parts to replace my ac from an online vendor discountacparts.com for less than half of the price the local shop quoted for parts which includes an oem compressor ....
I either bought some cheap *ss parts or the local shop was gouging me. I suspect it may be a combination of both. I got the compressor, condenser, orifice, accumulator, seals, and oil for $470.

Believe it or not, the local Pontiac dealership that'd a done some work for me in the past said they would install the ac components and charge it for me. We didn't talk price but I was floored when they said they would do it. Although, I bought front brake rotors and pads for my 2002 Ssei and they performed the installation for $89. No more than the tire shop was going to charge.

Yeah if you search you can find the parts pretty reasonable... I bought my parts that way for the Van... I think I spent $300 Total... It really wasn't bad and I had cold AC all last summer... The system was still cold when I retired the motor.. After I did all of the work I never had to charge the system.. It stayed within specs( meaning no leaks )...

I'd let the dealership do it if the price is reasonable

[tz2772]

AC is great when it works isn't it!! Mine has stopped blowing cold in the last week and a half or so.

[Jrs3800]

Matt, shoot it with some R12 if you can find any or a shop that will do it for a reasonable price..

R12 work very good for a long time... It still blows cold even when a bit low.. R134 is touchy..

[Whitecrystal1]

I dumped around $800 in repairing the ac in my 95 around 2 years ago... I don't regret it at all. Even if you can buy another car for around the same cost, as you already mentioned, you never know what your gonna get. I vote for fixing it if everything else is in good shape and as you said your planning on keeping it a couple more years.

[malatu]

I've ordered the parts and don't regret it one bit. I'm gonna keep the sweet-heart road-worthy regardless of her monetary value! I don't think I've made that kind of commitment since I asked by wife to marry me (I bought the car long before that moment!).