recommendations for A/C shops?

[brandonmpace]

I need to get the compressor replaced in my 99 and have the system recharged.
I'm on a budget, but I want to make sure it gets fixed the right way, and with a new compressor, not a re-manufactured one.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[jrj512]

Joe's Radiator and AC Service in Arlington has treated me well. Fast service.

[POS Racing]

On a budget and new compressor aren't going to go hand in hand.

Plus if your old compressor tore itself up and blew pieces into your A/C system your going to be replacing a few other parts as well which will add to the grand total sadly..... ;-(

[farphle]

I can't recommend a good shop, but I can recommend that you replace the receiver drier and all o-rings at the same time since the system will be open.

[black roadster]

Yep. This is not going to be a TCB fix unless you want to do all the work yourself. Even then, a new compressor will be expensive. You will also need to flush all the lines with an a/c flush kit and replace the drier and expansion valve (orifice tube) at the bare minimum. The expansion valve is behind the glove box in the evaporator box. I'd suggest all new o-rings while you're tearing into everything. Finally you will need new compressor oil, dye and refrigerant. The price of r134a is going up too as there is a new even more environmentally friendly refrigerant (r1234yf) on the market and no it isn't compatible with the older A/C systems.

I did this on my car before summer hit and it took me a loooong Saturday (about 10 hours) to do it and I have experience in taking this stuff out. Good luck!

[SirHustlerEsq]

5th Gear is one of the few shops I'd trust for work like this.

[HudsonHawk]

http://technicareauto.com/
Technicare Auto Specialist
11054 Shady Trail #301
Dallas, TX 75229
(214) 352-0499

I have used them for AC work in the past. Top notch work.

[onething]

I know a guy in Burleson, if you want to go that far... PM me.

[jeepinbanditrider]

I'm in Saginaw and know how to work on the Miata AC. If you will supply a place to work a few beers maybe a pizza, the parts and a few (2 at most) cans of R134a I'd be willing to help ya out for free (other than the aforementioned beers lol).

The compressor is going to be a pricey part. For some reason the Miata AC compressor must be made from GOLD cause a new one even for a 91 model was over 300 dollars and that wasn't even a name brand compressor.

I found a functional one in a Junkyard just off Jacksboro Hwy (199) in Azle for 75 dollars.

[jeepinbanditrider]

Here's some parts prices from Rock Auto

Compressor with Clutch- 278 dollars before core charge. 324 with core charge

Expansion Valve- 18.34. This part doesn't really have to be replaced unless you are having problems with the AC. If they get clogged it makes the AC function oddly.

Drier- 13 to 20 dollars depending on brand. This does need to be replaced.

Condensor- (in front of the radiator) doesn't really need to be replaced unless it's beat up.

I didn't have to really clean out my system that much I just put it under a vacuum for 30 minutes but my compressor didn't seize the shaft bearing took a dump and killed a seal which dumped all of my refrigerant out of the front of the compressor.

You can also give these guys a call

http://partsgroup.com/

they've got pretty good prices on all things Miata.

Here's another
http://www.planet-miata.com/index.php?section=31630995

They have lots of parts too.

You'd be surprised at the volume of perfectly fine low mileage useable parts out there in Salvage Yards.

Here's the number to the place in Azle I used to get my compressor.

Al's Import Auto Recycling 10000 Jacksboro Highway, Fort Worth, TX 76135-4702

You can also call around to other junkyards in the area you'd probably find what you are looking for and a return policy if it doesn't work for whatever reason. I got a set of headlight motors for my parent's NA for less than 100 bucks from a place south of Fort Worth.

[Rob®]

I just put it under a vacuum for 30 minutes

Slightly off topic: Do you have the tools/gauges to put a car under vacuum? I need to replace the compressor and related bits in wifey's car hopefully this weekend, but I don't have any AC tools. I'd rather not pay someone to put it under vacuum before I open it, but I absolutely hate AC work so I have no desire to go buy the tools (I really should though). Or is that something you can rent from Autozone? I keep forgetting you can do that..

[jeepinbanditrider]

I rented the vacuum pump from Autozone I actually have gauges that I own I didn't rent those. They aren't high speed but they work. I'd be willing to lend a hand.

[Rob®]

The compressor and expansion valve are supposed to be at the dealer today, hence the "hopefully this weekend" comment, so we'll see how that pans out. I still need to see if I have to pull the dash for the expansion valve, or if GM was kind enough to put it behind the glovebox. So that will change whether I do it this weekend or not as well.

If all goes well, I would be happy to have you lend a hand. I've done major AC work before, but it's been about 5 years if not more. I've done simple recharges recently, but not from a completely empty system like I'm about to get into. let me see what's going on with the parts, I'll see about pump rental, then I'll officially ask for your help.

If Brandon gets all his stuff, he's more than welcome to come here and we can both knock his out too. My only issue is that my car is immobile in the middle of the garage, so we'd be working on a sloped driveway or on the side of the cul de sac (I'm the very end so no safety concerns).

[jeepinbanditrider]

Well we're on tropical hours (5am to 1pm) starting on Monday this upcoming week so I've got time in the afternoons to do it or not this weekend but the next weekend I'll be in the area.

[Rob®]

Next weekend I am out of town, so that's no good. Just got told the condenser needs to be replaced since the drier is built into it. You'd think they would have told me that when I asked specifically about all that when I called about the compressor - for some reason a Cobalt is about the only car I can't find diagrams or parts fiches online for. Dopey dealerships. Naturally they don't have it in stock, so this weekend isn't happening either. As said before, once I get everything squared away on my end, I will let you know. Looks like time-wise it won't be for about two weeks though

Brandon is still more than welcome to have his car done here if he wants to do it himself/with help.

[cArAzzIE]

After reading this post...I would like to know opinions on replacing/repairing AC compressor. If you KNOW it's going out, should you just wait until it stops, are the bits that break loose a threat to anything? OR is it better to just have it replaced before that happens???? I too will be looking to get my AC fixed in the near future, and apparently will need a new radiator as well (based on tell tale signs and symptoms). WAIT? or DO IT?

[Rob®]

Well, here's my long seemingly rambling recent non-Miata related experience with waiting or doing it now:

Wifey's car stalled on her last week sometime. Wouldn't stay running, got it towed home. It had a P0128 code from about a week before that, so I did the thermostat (beyond dead) as well as fix the stalling issue, which was a bit troublesome to track down. The second you'd touch the AC button the car would die. No matter what RPM the car was at, load or no load, the second you hit the button instant death. Checked everything obvious, not so obvious, and shouldn't even matter. Finally got that fixed, then replaced the fuel filter just because it's never been done, same with the spark plugs. Check everything out, test drive the crap out of it. All was well, AC on and off. Let it sit that night and had her take my truck again just so I could drive her car around to triple check it's good to go for her.

Test drive the following day, the AC was now blowing warm as could be. I ask Carissa if it's always been like that, "yeah, it's been blowing warmer for awhile, but not too bad." So I checked all that crap again. Compressor was cycling as it should, no sign of wear on the belt at all, no belt squeal, nothing. Figured it just was a bit low on freon, no worries, will refill it that night after work. Continue driving for a few minutes. AC getting really warm. Smell burning rubber, but wrote it off to the construction site I was passing. Get home (like 1/4 mile away), open hood, out pours the smoke. Look at the AC compressor and the pulley is glowing red. BUT the clutch was still cycling normally! I shit you not. Before I could even go to shut the car off, the pulley melted the belt completely through.

So...on a car that only has a single serpentine belt, I would highly recommend replacing a known-bad compressor with the quickness. On a car that the AC is a separate belt, I'd say it depends on how you "know" it's going bad. You should always replace the drier/evaporator, so that's moot. But if your compressor grenades itself you could send all kinds of crap through the system requiring replacement of a bunch of other things.


Waiting on the radiator however, is silly. I would do that much sooner than later. Especially with all this heat.

[brandonmpace]

After I figure out what's going wrong with the egr I'll be getting ac parts. Already got the drier.
For some reason it's misfiring and unplugging the two connectors on the egr doesn't have any effect, so I'm thinking it needs to be replaced. (I've already gone through checking a lot of other things)

After all the parts are here I'll definitely be doing a pizza and beer help day, cause it's too hot to not have ac, and I'd like to learn how these things work. Thanks for the offers, I'll send a pm when the parts are ordered.

[black roadster]

Good luck. I can not imagine not having A/C in this weather. It is just brutal! I can't wait for October to get here.

[jeepinbanditrider]

I drove 100 miles yesterday with no AC. My problem right now is any drive at 65 or higher and the cooling system can't keep up with the heat, AC, and supercharger even when driving with a light foot. I've gotta get under there and do up some better ducting to get the air though the rad.

Change the coolant concentration, add water wetter and possibly start looking for some high power/CFM fans.