I won't say anything. Besides you're '97 doesn't have 12. Just don't call the EPA and say, "yeah, I just let out my r12 equiped car in the air, illegally" Then, nothing will happen. I of course will go to a reputable shop to get my A/c Serviced [mmmhmm.. that is what I will do ]


-justin

Merlin doesn't have R-12. All A/C equipped GM vehicles (at least in the US) were factory equipped with R-134A, which can be bought at Wal-Mart or any parts store for real cheap. A R-134A kit (R-134A coolant, oil, line for transferring from the bottle to the system with bottle opener attached) is only like $35 (US) at Wal-Mart, so figure around $55-$70 (CAN) depending where you get it, and there are no tools necessary for the install.
Look at www.car-part.com for a complete A/C compressor (probably can get one from a low-km car for under $60 CAN).
Do you have any friends who like tinkering on cars in their garage (or yours)? Offer them $75-100 for the install of the compressor. A couple large crescent wrenches, a couple sockets and a wratchet and that'* pretty much all the tools you will need.
All the idler pulley'* are only about 1 minute to change (remember reverse pattern screwing on them though).

Good luck.

Which car has the problem, the 91 or the 97?

My 93 came from the factory with R-12, and so did every car 93 and older...

97....

My AC bearing went out a year ago in July and I had it fixed at the dealership and it only cost me $137.00.

and if you feel environmentally inclined, ask a dealer to empty the system, and you can fill it back up yourself when you're done.

the reason they want to do it the hard way, is because they have a book, listing the amount of hours to do any certain job. that'* based on doing it the technically correct way. heck, the mechanic might do it the quick way, but will still charge you based on what the book says.

so in any event, any shop that bases your price based on book time, not actual time spent, will charge you big money. that would be just about any gm dealership, btw...

Well it'* done now anyways.... only cost me $460 Cdn... tax inc.... which isn't too bad.

Did they have to take the compressor out of the car?

just go to a wrecker service and pull one off and you are good to go after that !!!!!

I just had the same problem this week, all I did was to get another compressor assembly from a wrecker for $15 and a mechanic put the clutch off this one on my car. All it cost was $35 and 1/2 an hour to do it. Hope this helps