I drive a 2002 Honda Accord EX V6 2-door. I live in a desert area (Las Vegas) where daily highs exceed 100*F during the summer months so A/C is a necessity. The other day I was driving with my A/C on for over half an hour and it was working great. When I pulled in the parking lot to pick someone up, the A/C started being really loud. It sounded like the normal noise that the A/C makes, but a lot louder and sounded like something was definitely wrong, I instantly thought to myself maybe a belt came loose or something similar. Is it possible that I took a speed bump too quickly and knocked something out of place? The A/C was still working but i didn't want to run it because I was afraid of doing more damage to it. I switched the A/C off, but kept the fans on, and the noise went away, so I knew it was just the A/C. The air conditioning was still working, it just made a loud noise that scared me - very cold air was still coming out of the vents.

A few days later I took it in to the mechanic that my friend recommended to me. I have never been there before, I have always gone to the dealership in the past but I was looking for a cheaper mechanic and my friend delivers pizzas and said this mechanic was honest and reliable.

The mechanic turned the car and A/C on and opened the hood and jumped out. Without feeling the air coming out of the vents, right after opening the hood, he almost instantly told me the compressor was broken, after barely even looking. Estimated $670, said that the compressor comes in a kit and will replace multiple parts including compressor and some other stuff, I think he mentioned the heater dryer and receiver. Said "this price won't last because the part is on sale."

I wanted a 2nd opinion. My mom dropped it off at another place while I was at work. They said the compressor, condenser, evaporator and some valve needed to be replaced because the condenser is going out and he could hear the pistons hitting metal to metal which means that metal is being sprayed throughout the whole A/C system. estimate: over 1600 dollars. Does this make any sense at all or is it a bunch of BS? $1600 is a lot in repairs for a car that cost less than $8000.

Are these guys pulling my leg? Could it be an issue as simple as a loose belt that needs replacing, or is it more serious? I am skeptical that I need such a large repair when the air conditioning worked fine but just made a strange noise. I don't see how the compressor could be broken when the air coming out of the vents is still cold. I don't know anything about cars and I'm not mechanically inclined at all so this is hard for me. This is also my first time taking the car to a place that isn't the dealership to get serviced.

Thanks for all your help.

 

Whenever you open the ac system, it is usually a good idea to replace the receiver/dryer..
If the compressor is in fact going out (which they do), they absolutely CAN send pulverized metal into the rest of the ac system. Then you have to flush the system out or else the contamination will cause the new compressor to fail...

The second opinion sounds a little hokey. Condensers dont really go out. Think of a radiator. Its either leaking or its not. If the condenser has a hole (from a rock chip, etc), it needs to be replaced (or repaired if possible).
Replacing the condenser just because the compressor is failing is not necessary IMO. If the compressor is crapped out and metal dispersed throughout the whole system, it will need to be flushed out thoroughly...
If theres enough contamination in the system, it is adviseable to replace the expansion valve also (and the pressure sensor)...
It can be very expensive and labor intensive...
Go with your gut feeling. Get all warranties in writing. Good luck

 

If the A/C system is noisy when A/C is on, the compressor is on it's way west, if it's still blowing cold air, it is most likely a bearing.

The compressor, [Nippondenso 10S17C] will have to be replaced.

To get warranty on a compressor, most suppliers will require the filter/dryer be replaced and a system flush be done, there is no reason to replace the condensor.

I do not have pricing for your area, here we would charge about $1000 -$1200, parts, [compressor, filter, O rings and or seals, oil and refrigerant] labour, [re&re compressor and filter, A/C flush, remove and clean expansion valve, nitrogen pressure test and the evacuate and recharge.
Price will depend on price of compressor, new/used/rebuilt/OEM/aftermarket or "no name" brand.

The most expensive will be from Honda, next is OEM replacement, [Cooling Depot] next is remand OEM replacement, then a "no name" and last is a used one from your local bone-yard, [not recommended].

The first price you got seems a little under, the second one sounds right but padded, [you should not need a condensor]. 94

 

^^^This guy knows his stuff^^^
Been reading his posts for years

 

Thanks a million guys, I'm taking it to the first guy tomorrow. He guaranteed all parts and labor for a year. I think I may have found my mechanic for all my future problems/maintenance

 

Good to hear!
Good honest mechanics/technicians are hard to find.
Take care of your mechanic and he'll take care of you.
Bring him a case of beer when its all finished. That friendly gesture that cost you $16 could actually save you hundreds when you need some more work done...

I know the customers that "tip" me whether its beer or an extra $20 get special treatment. Whether its not charging them for little things here and there, or simply giving them a good discount on there next repairs...