|
| Thread Tools |
![]() | #1 | ||
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 30 Thanks: 1 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Air Con Condensor con?! 2002 1.6 Stilo. My air con wasn't working, so took it into the Fiat dealer. They dianosed the usual broken pipe and priced up the job at £120 inc. regassing. Fair enough I thought. Anyway, after changing the pipe they told me that the condensor had a hole, so that part would need replacing too. They quoted £230 for the part and about £120 for the labour. I decided not to go ahead as it was becoming an expensive £480 job. So I just paid them £80 for the pipe fitted. Fortunately I managed to to buy a new in box condensor off Ebay for £95 inc. p and p. I then thought that if a Fiat Dealer was going to charge £120 for labour to fit it I ought to be able to get it done for £60-£80 at an 'independent'. Yet when I went to a local one that had been recommended to me, they said it is a 'big job'....you have to dismantle the fan, drop the radiator which means having to replace the coolant..... Said it would take best part of a day! Seemed like another air 'con' to me! I'm bemused. Is the air con condensor replacement that complicated? Will the Fiat dealer fit my supplied condensor for £120 having not pocketed their profit on the part? will they even fit parts they haven't supplied? Mainly, how long does it take and how much should a competent mechanic/garage charge to replace the condensor? A re-gass I presume is about £60 wherever you go? Obviously having no air con is a nuiscance rather than a an essential repair, but having bought the condensor I'd like to get the system running again at some point at a fair price.
__________________
| ||
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | #2 |
Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Essex/Suffolk border
Posts: 82,454 Thanks: 1458 Trader Rating: 10 ![]() | Re: Air Con Condensor con?! they probably may fit it if its a fiat part, as they don't make a lot on parts anyway
__________________ |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | #3 |
![]() | Re: Air Con Condensor con?! why dont you get a workshop manual on disc, dont know if you can get one on here but if you join http://www.fs-oc.net/ and donate you can get one there. You never know you might be able to do the job yourself.
__________________ 2007 Stilo Sporting M/Jet 150bhp 2001 Marea Weekend JTD 110bhp now 171bhp (Gone but not forgotten) http://www.fiatforum.com/garage_vehi..._vehicle&id=24 He who works and does his best gets his cards just like the rest |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | #4 |
![]() | Re: Air Con Condensor con?! why dont you get a workshop manual on disc, dont know if you can get one on here but if you join http://www.fs-oc.net/ and donate you can get one there. You never know you might be able to do the job yourself. ![]()
__________________ |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | #5 |
Join Date: May 2005 Location: Roman city Bath
Posts: 5,589 Thanks: 718 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Air Con Condensor con?! Shouldn't need to disturb the radiator, fan or drain engine coolant. Once you've disconnected the pipes and removed these bolts the condensor drops straight out into your face and knocks your teeth out so dentist bills are much more than you'd pay at a garage. As your system has been open for some time then it will need a total vacuum down and refill and possibly a new filter drier (item 2) I'd leave it to an aircon specialist or garage with good aircon engineer to do the lot. Air con systems need to have everything running and balanced just right. It will probably be cheaper as there may be other problems and they'll be able to pressure and leak check the entire system whilst they're doing the job. Either way it will be well worth doing and you'll love it afterwards
__________________ 02 Stilo 1.6 Dynamic 3 door 99 Bravo 1.2SX Last edited by Deckchair5; 21-03-2009 at 19:22. |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | #6 |
Join Date: May 2005 Location: FIX YOUR AIRBAGS
Posts: 1,723 Thanks: 104 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Air Con Condensor con?! Nice to see the dealer is cheaper than your recommended independent, I am looking for a word that reflects this, people on this forum sometimes substitute stealer for dealer so how does, robbing conning bast..d sound for your recommended independent. Truth is, whoever did the original job couldn't have diagnosed the condenser hole until the system was capable of holding vacuum, then pressure testing with nitrogen. If I was your dealer I would not have a problem fitting your part but would definately recommend a new filter/drier, I cant remember whether your new condenser will have a new one in though.
__________________ ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | #7 |
![]() | Re: Air Con Condensor con?!
__________________ 2007 Stilo Sporting M/Jet 150bhp 2001 Marea Weekend JTD 110bhp now 171bhp (Gone but not forgotten) http://www.fiatforum.com/garage_vehi..._vehicle&id=24 He who works and does his best gets his cards just like the rest |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | #8 | ||
Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Yep, still here.
Posts: 2,861 Thanks: 330 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Air Con Condensor con?!
__________________
| ||
![]() | ![]() |
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
Thread Tools | |
![]() | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
![]() | Pauly20vturbo | Coupe | 5 | 06-11-2008 15:27 |
![]() | its_jon | Stilo | 15 | 13-05-2008 21:45 |
![]() | andrewduerden | Stilo | 8 | 11-05-2008 20:15 |
![]() | L(F/i/a/t/1.6)shA | Tempra | 0 | 31-01-2006 12:26 |
![]() | ldc2710 | Marea | 6 | 03-11-2005 00:05 |