Condensor
 

The air has not been blowing cold and the had replaced the compressor, drier, and sensors. It is at a Suby dealer now and they say I need a new Condensor. They want $700 for the part and $400 for installation. This sounds like pure highway robbery to me. Does anyone have an idea as to what is reasonable to replace the condensor? Thanks.

Are they telling you that yours is leaking?

Pricing sounds awfully high to me, but I've never had this work done. I'd go to subaruparts.com and compare that item price, and I'd also look for a labor quote from competent local mechanic. Of course the system will again have to be charged with refrigerant, and they'll probably want to install another filter/dryer.

dcb

$400 in labor sounds like an awful lot to me. We had the condenser in my wife's Legacy replaced and the total bill came to $700. The cost was mostly in the parts. The SVX's parts absolutely tend to be more expensive, but $400 in labor to replace the condenser seems high. Ask them to see the book rate for the job.

Am I missing something?
 

Subaruparts.com shows the A/C condensor assembly at $243.80. I renew my suggestion that you find another shop. And I'd ask the new guys to evaluate what's been done to date and ascertain what you really need before buying anything.

dcb

They DID say it was leaking and the complete job before taxes would be about $1100. You have to take apart a lot of things to get to the condensor, but I'm sure they are way out of line. I probably will order the parts from subaruparts.com and find a good mechanic to do the work. Thanks for the suggestions. If anyone has had any experience with the condensor on the SVX, please let me know what you went through.

condensor
 

Definitly get a second diagnosis. If the previous shop didn't dye check your system they could be making a fast buck. My condensor was replaced before I purchased the car, it was dye checked, and the total price was 500 bucks. They aren't that hard to install. Besides having the system recharged, you can do alot of the work yourself, the labor is where they rape us! ;)

That's the thing - you really don't have to take a lot of things out to get to the condenser. In about fifteen minutes you can have the whole bumper assembly off and be looking right at it.

One more blurb from the soapbox...
 

Excepting warranty work, or unless you have money to burn or just don't care, do not take your car to a dealership for service that you or a reputable independent mechanic can perform. There's an honest wrench-turner or two in your town who will price his or her services fairly and appreciate your business. Ask around.

dcb

I don't think that's necessarily true. I mean I've met some butchers in my time but I've also been to dealerships staffed by good, honest people. Some have had every opportunity to seriously rip me off and instead chose to help me out.

To be sure, not everyone who works for a dealership shop is dishonest or incompetent, nor do all independents have halos.

dcb