Quote for AC compressor R&R

[wthammett]

Just got a quote to replace the compressor, receiver & dryer - $2,600 total, $1,100 parts and $1,500 labor. The parts costs seems reasonable but damn that labor though! This is a guy I generally trust but...I asked him about the labor he said the grille and skid plates need to come off, lot of parts have to be removed through the bottom, real pita, etc. - anyone got any thoughts on this? Thanks

 

[BeemerNut]

AC in the summer or heater core failure in the winter, them parts know when to fail ya.
I would put that puppy (LR) up on stands and go at it yourself taking plenty of pictures during the disassembly process. It's not rocket science for hell's sake they at LR can be trained so you can learn. I bet you can shop around and get better replacement parts prices to boot besides learning and getting up and personal with your LR. Up and personal is the only way one can understand how a LR ticks, rattles and knocks, leaving out smelling of antifreeze, oil, smoke and other parts failures.
Taking a lot of time to "remove a lot of parts", that grease monkey is in the wrong business.
Air tools removing skid plates, give me a break.

One LR4 owner in town already has a "$150K LR4" after all the stealership repairs keeping it just above life support and operational at 93K mostly highway miles pulling a vacation boat up and down northern California. Big deal flat central valley flatland duty. Timing chains replacements, yup he done that already.

Sid's his name asked me how long and how much it costs me a year to keep my 95 D1 operational and running. My reply, gas and oil only the past six years of 58K miles.
A "wanta trade straight across" remark, no Sid it took me years to get the D1 to how I can now enjoy it vs when I purchased it used. Make it enjoyable to drive or dump it thinking at day one ownership. The aluminum engine screamed please love me, I gave in like I did back in the 60's working on the pre LR's future engine the Olds aluminum V8 that had signs of being a fun little transplant into a Volvo P1800.
Bottom line, DIY saving your money as well the learning experience this alone is the greatest reward.
Personal opinion, newer LR's have too many expensive things that will fail vs a almost back to basics older LR's. Handling improvements, AC that works plus increased hp and torque increase modifications with DIY easy trouble shooting of problems, i'm a happy LR owner.
Granted many people mentioning "why did you pick a LR with their highest unreliability problems?". Cuz i'm an idiot and like the mechanical and electrical challenge plus note it's still running. Next question please.
One must draw the line (wallet included), is this a short lived relationship and dump the girl (LR) or is she (LR) a keeper including how much required $$$$ upkeep?
LR's can be like a high maintenance woman should you agree letting her (LR) to own you taking all your money still leaving you at the side of the road with an empty wallet? Your call. Sorry it's been that kind of a day, I need a drink, make it three! .....~~=o&o>.....

 

[TheWidup]

You have the parts quote at this point so if you don't want to DIY (seriously not everybody wants that intimacy and that's ok) call a few other shops to see if they can give you an idea on the labor cost. Most places quote by the book, whereas my trusted mechanic gives me a range. "This is the best and this is the worst" and he usually lands in between the two. I hate shops that give you the idea that it'll cost "exactly this much in labor because the book says it will"

 

[wthammett]

Just got a quote to replace the compressor, receiver & dryer - $2,600 total, $1,100 parts and $1,500 labor. The parts costs seems reasonable but damn that labor though! This is a guy I generally trust but...I asked him about the labor he said the grille and skid plates need to come off, lot of parts have to be removed through the bottom, real pita, etc. - anyone got any thoughts on this? Thanks

Update: My local LR Indy shop noted they have replaced several compressors that went bad without having to replace the other ac related components with success, $1,000 for the ac compressor and labor - I'm trying that route first. I get it about contamination and all but I'm rolling the dice on the compressor only and we'll see what happens.

 

[BeemerNut]

Careful quick and clean R&R shouldn't be a problem being a short duration exposure to the atmosphere. I'd go that route myself if I were you unless the compressor had some sort of mechanical failure and was spitting out small aluminum and metal particles hence plugging up down stream orifices. Modern "high tech" vehicles no matter the brand have become an overly complicated nightmare as well assembled in overly compact tight packages. Almost to a point of being not serviceable vehicles just recycled again.
The only stinker is the high dollar parts profit and labor dealing with a LR dealership.
My neck of the woods (24 miles away) a "ex trained LR mechanic gone independent who hates LR dealerships with their high labor and parts costs sticking it to LR owners.
He builds from pure stock to wild LR engines, suspensions to total restorations.
You need your AC ASAP in your location.
Prost. .....~~=o&o>.....

 

[wthammett]

Careful quick and clean R&R shouldn't be a problem being a short duration exposure to the atmosphere. I'd go that route myself if I were you unless the compressor had some sort of mechanical failure and was spitting out small aluminum and metal particles hence plugging up down stream orifices. Modern "high tech" vehicles no matter the brand have become an overly complicated nightmare as well assembled in overly compact tight packages. Almost to a point of being not serviceable vehicles just recycled again.
The only stinker is the high dollar parts profit and labor dealing with a LR dealership.
My neck of the woods (24 miles away) a "ex trained LR mechanic gone independent who hates LR dealerships with their high labor and parts costs sticking it to LR owners.
He builds from pure stock to wild LR engines, suspensions to total restorations.
You need your AC ASAP in your location.
Prost. .....~~=o&o>.....

Where do you live BeenerNut? Who’s the local Indy? Thanks

 

[BeemerNut]

I'm on an island in northern Calif.
As far as an"independent" LR repair shops Mike Green an 'ex factory trained and honest LR mechanic. Mike hates stealerships with their ripoff high pricing. Quality of repairs by dealership example with replacing parts until the problem is finally solved then the customer gets the bill for those extra unnecessary replaced parts. Working fast within the labor chart times quick and dirty not taking the time to properly clean before opening up an engine, transmission or other failed items. Dirt and grit contamination, who (you) would know?
Mike Green's at; http://www.westcoastbritish.com/
Myself, raised in a machine shop hence a lathe, Bridgeport mill, Tig & Mig welders and Plasma cutter part of my personal tools allowing me to make "special tools" and parts improving the 95 D1's performance as well better driveability with the greatly increased fun factor. OB1 LR fro a reason, I can live without 24 cup holders able to read, repair and clear fault codes. OB2 check and clear faults unit for the 2010 vehicles in the household.
Past life licensed aircraft mechanic rebuilding 1830 & 2800 Pratt & Whitney radial engines as well 301 D13 Allison turboprop engines like on C130's plus I worked at United Airlines maintenance facility.
Later life now retired union electrician hence a person that understands mechanical as well electrical the best combination in keeping a LR operational. It's actually 100% trouble free the past eight of 18 years ownership, gas, oil and lube jobs the regular maintenance.
Never had a engine, transmission or vehicle stuck in any dealership for repairs the past 50 years, I intend to keep it that way. Yup an old fart that has about seen it all with vehicle failures of many many different brands and years of manufacture.
As I mentioned before, take plenty of pictures and notes, it's not rocket science maintaining any vehicle. Get a shop and factory service repair manual to the year of vehicle and repair it yourself. DIY factor is rewarding as well a money saver. .....~~=o&o>......

 

[jwest]

Just got a quote to replace the compressor, receiver & dryer - $2,600 total, $1,100 parts and $1,500 labor. The parts costs seems reasonable but damn that labor though! This is a guy I generally trust but...I asked him about the labor he said the grille and skid plates need to come off, lot of parts have to be removed through the bottom, real pita, etc. - anyone got any thoughts on this? Thanks

Did you really just write to us "the grille" ?!! Must be a typo or meaning a different part because even though mine is hard to remove being so tight with the ARB bull bar and winch power box, I can do it with my bare hands in roughly 2 minutes and that includes the time to walk outside and pop the hood....

As for "skid plates" *** no really ***? I have 3 large heavy plates with 14 or more bolts, 2 of which require 2 tools. All of them, on my back without a nice lift, takes less than 30 min to remove after collecting the 13 15 17 22 mm sockets and the 2nd tool box wrench.

I just don't see 12-14 hrs labor on a compressor job but maybe he's never done one so it's more daunting? Someone who's done at least 10 or more on an lr3 is probably who you'd want in there anyway.

Good luck.