Zim

Have my truck in the shop currently, it's an independent shop with a good reputation in town (Christian Brothers in KC if you're familiar). Last year I had the A/C charged since it took forever to get cold. This year there was no cold, just blowing outside air temperature air. Verdict is in, and got a call saying the compressor is bad. They're telling me to replace the compressor, and two other parts (receiver dryer and orifice tube?) to complete a "kit" and qualify for lifetime warranty on the compressor, it's estimated 1800 with parts, tax and labor. Trying to get a sense of whether this is high or in line with replacement.

Compressor only was around $1350.

It's a 2013 F150 Ecoboost.

Thanks...

NASSTY

It sounds like they are making a killing on price mark up on parts. https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts...MtNWwtdjYtZ2Fz

SALEEN961

iTrader: (1)

The compressor alone should be roughly $1,050 with a 125/hr labor rate, add another $375 to replace the desiccant bag in the condenser. These prices are for dealer parts, using after market parts expect to save a $200-$400.

RLXXI

My suggestion would be to find a shop willing to tell you the truth. There is NO orifice tube on your truck, it has a (TXV) thermostatic expansion valve.

Ford trucks from 20 years ago had orifice tubes.
.

Zim

I did check the price of a compressor on OEMfordpartsdirect or whatever it is, and it was similar to that Tasca link. They mentioned replacing those other two parts (which apparently one doesnt exist) due to potential contamination. Is it a bad idea to replace only the compressor? Seems like it wouldn't be hard to replace the compressor myself then go to a shop to fill/pressurize the system?

RLXXI

You could do that but there's no guarantees it'll work and if it does, how long the new compressor will last. Too bad you're not closer to me. I'd do the job for half what they quoted you and give a warranty.
.

Zim

You already helped me out arming me with the CORRECT info. Thank you. What I'll probably do is get a break down of what the parts cost, what they're going to replace, and then just buy the parts myself and let them make the money on labor. I don't really care about a lifetime parts/labor warranty. I won't have the truck for my lifetime.

RLXXI

Here's another tidbit of info you might want. From the 2013 Ford shop manual....

Installation of a new receiver/drier is not required when repairing the A/C system, except when there is physical evidence of contamination from a failed A/C compressor or damage to the receiver/drier. Damage to the receiver/drier includes leaks in the receiver/drier, physical damage to the receiver/drier shell or desiccant, or moisture contamination. Moisture contamination results only from a complete loss of refrigerant and equalization of the refrigerant system pressure with atmospheric pressure for a period longer than one hour. If even a slight amount of positive refrigerant pressure is present in the system before repairs are carried out, the receiver/drier should not be replaced.
.

Zim

Awesome, thank you. I know you directed me to that amazon link, but any idea which of those expansion valves is the one that I'd need to help me compare parts costs?

Zim

And if I'm hearing you correctly, if there was any sort of pressure whatsoever in the system before they emptied it, then there's no reason to replace the drier (unless physically damaged)?

Which really leads to only needing to replace the compressor and expansion valve potentially, then the labor involved for both, and re-pressurizing the system? Seems like I could find someone to do this for far less, especially if I source the parts.