Living in the beautiful Sacramento Valley of California means excellent access to incredible outdoor activities, world-renowned coastlines, and all the entertainment and unique food you could ever want. Unfortunately, it also means that you have to deal with the intense heat and scorching light from the endless days of sun. The best way to stay cool while driving around sunny California is by having a well-operating air conditioning system and understadning auto air conditioning repair costs.
Whether you are providing ride-sharing services to tourists visiting the capital or are on another day’s commute into the city, avoiding AC auto repair can be a real challenge. That is why having an idea of what you’ll need to prepare for financially and time-wise is a good idea. Here are a few of the upcoming auto air conditioning repair costs you can expect in 2021.
How Your Vehicle’s AC Systems Work
Before going too far into the woods with pricing, it would help to learn a bit more about how your AC systems work. This way, when you do reach out to an auto mechanic near me, you’ll have a better grasp of the information they are giving you.
It is important that you understand your car’s AC system is not like adding oil to your engine or fuel to your gas tank. This is a closed and pressurized system that should not need refilling with Freon or refrigerant unless there is an issue. There are three major components of your AC system including:
- Compressor – as its name suggests, this compresses the Freon/refrigerant before pumping it into the condenser.
- Dryer – removes moisture and filters debris from your cooled air.
- Evaporator – where the cool air is expanded as it is pushed into your vehicle’s cabin via a blower fan.
The most common issue with AC systems occurs when there is a leak in the refrigerant. That means the system that should be sealed is now not operating at its fullest potential can place uncommon loads on the different mechanisms. Outside moisture and debris can get inside the various working parts and make the entire system go down, forcing you to seek a mechanic near me.
How Much Will AC Repairs Cost?
AC Inspection & Diagnostics
The first thing a qualified technician will do is suggest an AC inspection and diagnosis. This will often include connecting to your computer to detect any issues there as well as operating the vehicle and doing a simple check. You can expect to pay between $100-$300 for this type of service. Some repair shops will include this fee as part of a repair if you agree to get the work done at their location.
Recharging Vehicle AC
Whenever your pressurized AC system begins to develop slow leaks, you should recharge the Freon/refrigerant. This will be required for the entire system to work correctly and should be done by a qualified AC auto repair specialist. You can expect to pay between $180-$285 for this service.
Leak Repairs
The problem with offering a solid number for any leak repairs is that it can be a minor issue or a severe problem. For the most part, you can expect to pay somewhere between $150-$800 to fix any leaks in your AC system. That may or may not include recharging the refrigerant after the leak has been identified and sealed.
Minor AC Auto Repair
These kinds of repairs involve replacing hoses, sensors, or other components like the condenser or compressor. You’ll probably pay anywhere from $170-$730 for this kind of repair.
Major AC Auto Repair
No one wants to get into this realm of auto air condition repair costs because they can range anywhere from $1,000-$4,000 and involve replacing major components of your entire system. Cars built before 1995 will also require updating their refrigerant to work with more eco-friendly materials and liquids.
Installing/Replacing AC System
Like major repairs, putting a new AC system in a historical vehicle or replacing your entire system will cost you quite a bit. You will probably need to spend between $1,500-$4,500, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. You should also prepare for a long wait as this repair can take 12-22 hours. Therefore, it would be wise to figure on 3-4 days until you get your car back and in working order.
AC Auto Repair Cost Differences
Unlike other auto-fixes, AC repairs require expensive parts and a lot of time doing labor. Most of the components are in physical locations around your engine that need a bit of work to get to and a lot of testing to make sure all the leaks have been properly sealed. That is why it is so important you find a qualified mechanic near me to conduct your AC auto repair service. There isn’t much the shop can do about these costs because the parts cannot be reduced without taking a financial hit.
The best thing you can do to prevent dealing with these expensive auto air conditioning repair costs is to develop a solid vehicle maintenance schedule that proactively checks for any potential problems. Hiring a professional team like that at A Auto Care is an excellent first step in this process. We have all the experience and industry knowledge to keep your vehicle correctly functioning and can develop a maintenance schedule in line with your car’s manufacturer.
You want to stay cool and relaxed as you go to work, drop off the kids, or just head out for a great weekend up the PCH. Working with an expert team like that at A Auto Care is the best way to ensure your vehicle’s AC remains well maintained and in working order. Reach out by using the instant quote or give us a call today to set up your next appointment.