First tried a re-charge. Then evacuated system, refill and replace dryer. So system is charged and compressor clutch engages and spins. Just no cold air. A different shop said it's the compressor and will replace for $570. Is there anything else I should look at? is the repair price reasonable? thanks in advance for replies.

P.S. Compressor has 110k miles, in 7 years of ownership I never took it for a recharge.

 

I have two a/c compressors if you want one. PM for pricing. They both are from 97 Gsr model

 

Without seeing what the gauges showed it is impossible to say what the problem is, the first shop, [that did the recharge] should have been able to tell right away what was wrong, there are a few other things that can cause,"no cold air" even if compressor is running, including a low charge, low oil, an over charge, too much oil a defective expansion valve, condensor fan not working, [high head pressure] poor air flow, [plugged or restricted condensor, [also resulting in high head pressure].

If the second shop put gauges on the system and gauges, [high and low sides] showed no or little movement the compressor is toast, if gauges show a large drop on low side and a large increase on the high side or widely fluctuating high an low sides it is unlikely the compressor and more likely the expansion valve or another restriction.

I would take it to a shop that will put it on gauges and let you see what is happening.

$570 is a good price if it includes the recovery, compressor, filter/dryer, [if warranty requires] a nitrogen pressure test, [for at least 1 hr @200 PSI] and the recharge and refrigerant. 94

 

Thanks for your reply. Actually the second shop did put the gauges on it. Low side was 50 and high side i don't remember. when the A/C was blowing at Max they said the low side was supposed to drop and fluctuate when they would rev the engine higher but I did see that it stayed at 50. that was their reasoning for replacing the compressor.

 

If low side did not move then compressor is toast, it should drop to around 15-20 PSI when compressor turns on then back up, [arounf 50 PSI] when compressor turns off, [cycles]. 94