Hi all,
So my Aircon wasn't working (blowing hot air) Took it into Ultra tune for a Aircon Service/Re-gass. They charged me $160 for that. I was told it's working "just not as good" as the compressor is on the way out. That didn't turn out true at all, it's exactly the same and still blows hot air.
My question is do I have grounds to make a complaint? I mean couldn't they have seen the compressor isn't working?
That’s the condenser, the compressor is driver by the engine.
Umm, the condenser is out front. The evaporator is inside behind the dash.
Not really, you asked them to do a job, they did it, and if anything gave you a ‘free’ diagnosis of your a/c compressor is cactus. If you get the job done through them, just remember to ask them not to charge you again for the gas as they will recover the new gas they just put in. But no, your complaint would not be valid.
I thinkg OP didn't just go there and ask them regas but rather ask them to "service" the aircond system to make it work again
as with all stupid mech & doctor, they use trial & error method to diagnose & fix but charge everything on customers.
Maybe in your case, but it’s the first thing you have to do if there is no pressure in the system. Also the OP says “took it to ultra tune for an a/c service/regas” so that leads me to believe OP booked in for an a/c regas. Therefor the work was done, some diagnosis was given, and now they want a refund for 2 lots of work done. A/C service doesn’t mean diagnose why it’s blowing hot air.
but rather ask them to "service" the aircond system to make it work again
And if they serviced it, they still did the job asked of them. Plus, you would definitely service + regas first before trying other fixes like replacing the compressor. One is a hundred bucks or so, the other will be many hundreds.
That's so good of you to splurge your money on stupid mech/doctors that practice trial & error method.
What's next ?
How did they find out it was the compressor knackered ?
After charging $700 replacing compressor.
Ohh wait, it's your condenser problem that needs replacing.
After $400 replacing condenser, ohh wait… it's just a leaky pipe that needs plugging up.
Sorry for charging you that much mate!
But i know you're happy to pay as we really spent that much hours working on your car.
That's so good of you to splurge your money on stupid mech/doctors that practice trial & error method.
That's literally the best and cheapest method for 90% of problems, because any other method involves physically stripping down parts/opening up the car, which IMMEDIATELY turns into a big and expensive job.
Indeed, but i still hate this kind of mech.
Car won't start
Ohh, battery flat. It's battery problem that needs replacing. So, $200 battery.
After a week. Same problem.
Ohh, it's your alternator problem this time. Your alternator dead, needs replacing. So, $600 alternator.
After a week, same problem.
Ohh, it's your sound system sipping off the battery.
Send your car to auto-electrician instead and Thank you for your $800.
It depends on the problem. Testing the battery is like a 5 min job with a battery tester.
Testing a compressor? No such thing, you can only test the air-con, if you want to test ONLY the compressor - as I said, you'd have to open up the car take everything out. Huge job, will cost hundreds just in labour. And of course, if it turns out it's not the compressor? Customer will complain about being charged that much unnecessarily too.
Maybe they couldn't be sure it's the compressor until they regas it and check it over
Re-gass
Did the workshop repair the leak? Re-gas the aircon with 134a without repairing the leak is pointless. You'll ge back in a few weeks or months depending on how big the leak is.
$160 would not be pure 134a gas, it would be a hybrid gas or a mix of 134a and LPG.
How much would pure 134a gas cost? Is it cheaper for them to mix? Asking as I'm about to look at replacing my compressor and getting the aircon regassed and same as Shultz, I know nothing…
pure r134a is about $300 per KG, anyone that is doing $99 regas is either using a hybrid blend or using LPG, when you use LPG it will sometimes ruin the A/C system or the air will not be as cold as it used to be.
What are you on about?
BOC will sell pure R134a to any chump with a handling licence for ~$18/kg.
I'm in a similar situation. Had system pressure tested, got the all clear. Re-gassed. Gave them $250. Worked a treat for 1 day. The 2nd day it looked like a fridge coming out of A/C. Super cold fog coming out of vents. Day 3… doesn't work. Some sort of regulator I'm guessing let go?
I mean couldn't they have seen the compressor isn't working?
Can't really tell until you have gas in the system to see if its working.
Its not like it has some 'fail' light on the outside. So yes you have to gas the system and test.
You could complain, but who will listen?
Sometimes, different problems have similar symptoms so the real problem is diagnosed through a process of elimination. The most common problems are ruled out first and eventually the real problem is found.
Mechanics often work in this way. Doctors also work in this way.
There's no refunds on the earlier attempts to fix the problems.
WELCOME TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF GENERAL TRADES PEOPLE
I would never take my car to Ultra Tune or Midas for anything.
for starters if you have aircon problems it is better to take it to an auto electrician rather than a mechanic.
Most places will put a dye in the system especially if they suspect there is a leak, if it needed re-gas that is grounds for a leak.
Did they mean there was a leak in the compressor?
Took it into Ultra tune for a Aircon Service/Re-gass.
They serviced it and regassed it. I mean, if you asked them to do the wrong thing, that's on you.
I would just sucked it up and charged to experience, next time go to the pro, you have a aircon issue go to a aircon specialist for the right advice
I think you have a valid complaint. Unless you specifically booked it in for a re-gass only, as a mechanic it is their job to diagnose the problem. A lot of those companies get apprentices to do that sort of work and unfortunately they just don't know enough about fault finding and diagnosing problems.
This exact same thing happened to me. Turns out the compressor was hidden deep behind the dash somewhere and they would have to pull the dash out to check / replace it. I just weared the cost.