to deal-er or not to deal-er

[mach4444]

So its a thousand degrees out and my 65,000 mile rt/10 has ac that isn't working.
its leaking from one of the hoses where the metal and rubber meet.

yes I already checked the o-rings hoping for the $3.00 fix.

tried charging it with a sealer, no luck.

early morning and evenings are fine with no top but by 11am it is brutally hot.

I can either:

a) charge it everyday that I want to drive it, which only last about 4 hours and even then is not really cold.

b) bring it to the dealer

c) bring it to an ac shop

d) trade it in and buy a smart car

since I bought the car with 7,000 miles on it no one has worked on it or driven it but me, but this is one of those situations that it has to go somewhere to be worked on.

The dodge dealer in town only has 1 viper tech and I am not sure how many he sees.

I am scared to death of someone else touching my car.

which one would you choose?

and to those of you who say "its only a car" screw you.
it may only be a car to you, but to me it is an obsession.

it almost feels like handing my gf off to another man.
in fact that might even be easier.

 

[plumcrazy]

i personally would take it a buddy of mine who runs a local shop. he does a lot of AC work. you being in florida, i have to assume there are PLENTY of local shops that know how to work on AC.....

find a trusted one and go there

 

[propsail]

Same here. A pro a/c shop can work wonders, and even provide parts that would be likely cheaper than OEM if you wanted to go that route. Only a car??? Ha. I'm with you.

 

[97GTS]

I'm with ya brother. My BLACK car has a leak in the AC system. I am also in Florida. Put the dye in it and am going to put it on the lift tomorrow and find that damn leak.

Pray for me that it isn't the same part as yours!



Ron

 

[mach4444]

[Pray for me that it isn't the same part as yours!]

Good luck. check the o-rings first.
quick, cheap and easy, as long as you have lots of manual dexterity.

may the cool air gods shine on you.

tomorrow I go looking for an AC shop.

 

[LifeIsGood]

...and to those of you who say "its only a car" screw you.
it may only be a car to you, but to me it is an obsession.

Amen brother!

As to what to do...what Plum said...

 

['Trust']

Any local speed shops in the area? All the trust worthy ones around here also service A/C, its good peace of mind.

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

Answer B. I had the same problem and its common as my viper tech told me due to engine moving some under acceleration and the lines get misaligned. Had them replaced but not cheap as its labor intensive but worked like new afterwards on my old 99 GTS.

 

[Fast Viper Dan]

Make an appointment and then wait in there waiting room with one eye on the car so that they don't "test drive the repair". No need for that, right?

 

[supersnake]

If you know were the leak is, Remove the hose in your garage, Plug the ends were the hoses come off ( to keep moisture out), Take the hose to any reputable A/C Shop and have them make you a new one. Place it back on the car (new O rings of course) and take it back to the same shop and have them Vac & recharge it. That way no one touchs your car except to recharge the A/C.

 

[Venomiss]

Did you get it fixed?

 

[mach4444]

No not yet.
business has kept me plenty busy this week.
going to look at it again tomorrow to see just how much of a PIA it would be to do it myself.

Everytime I crawl under this thing I mutter "I need a lift". time to chase down that 4 post lift thread again.

when it goes to the shop I will make an appointment and wait.
don't want anyone test drivng my car to make sure the AC works !