A/C compressor replacement cost?

[Xxtreme]

On our '03 H2 the A/C went out the other day, and when I took it to service today, they say the compressor is in need of replacement....the quote to have it fixed is $1100. Does this seem right to anyone who has had this done or knowledge of parts/service prices. It is out of warranty, and although it was replaced once under the original warranty, I am being told that replacement was only covered through the remainder of the original warranty period.

[dochummer]

Sucks doesn't it? I had mine replaced at the end of the warranty period also. If mine decides to go out now...even within 8 months of getting replaced, I'll have to fork over the dough. I would take it to a local mechanic and have them do it...should save you some money...

[f5fstop]

I believe part warranty is 12/12 or until end of original warranty, whichever is longer.
That price sounds awful high.
GM pays on warranty, 1.0 hour to replace the compressor with an add time of 0.5 to recovery/charge the A/C system (Labor operation D4440). Don't have the part cost here at home, but I'm going to guess around $300-$400 at max. Compressor is easy to change, and one hour is sufficient.
$400 for compressor + $120 for labor + $70.00 for refrigerant.

[PARAGON]

I just paid about ~$600 for the compressor. But that was from a GM dealer's retail price and then the little fixit place tacked on their profit.

But I was between a rock and a hard place and had no choices, in a hurry, out of town, trying to meet up with everyone to wheel, etc.

It cost me $1300 to replace the compressor, a hose, orifice tube thingy

[KenP]

Originally Posted by PARAGON

I just paid about ~$600 for the compressor. But that was from a GM dealer's retail price and then the little fixit place tacked on their profit.

But I was between a rock and a hard place and had no choices, in a hurry, out of town, trying to meet up with everyone to wheel, etc.

It cost me $1300 to replace the compressor, a hose, orifice tube thingy

That would piss me off!

[f5fstop]

I'll have to check the A/C compressor price on Monday when I get to work. I can access prices from home, but require the part number and I can only access the part numbers from the office.
As for the orifice thingy...sounds like the expansion orifice tube.
Dealers inflate customer pay charges to the point they drive customers away, and then they all sit around in dealer meetings complaining that the aftermarket suppliers/repair shops are hurting their business.

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by KenP

That would piss me off!

well, it get's worse, he also said that since they couldn't replace the drier and the fact that the compressor imploded, that the new compressor wouldn't carry a warranty

[PARAGON]

couldn't replace the drier because there weren't any Hummer dealers around and it was an H2 specific part

[Xxtreme]

Outcome: Original estimate was ~ $1250 for similar repairs as Paragon....compressor hose, orifice etc....w/ $695 for compressor. Well I didn't authorize at first, but knowing that I needed the H2 back quickly, investigated a bit....found the compressor for $361 on gmpartsdirect (#89024882). Talked with dealer again, and they said they couldn't match that price, but would bring compressor down to $487, and again I told them that wasn't good enough....they finally brought it down to $400, and gave me a discount on the labor to bring it to $860 total (done by the dealer)...In addition, after further investigation, was able to find the part at two other places for around $315, but didn't have time to wait and find an install shop.

They did say however that the same part (AC compressor 89024882) now carries a life time warranty on the part and labor required....the same part that is OE, and that was previously replaced under warranty after 1 year....I don't think I understand that logic.