Seeking Opinion on F53 Chassis A/C repair cost

Forester 727 wrote:
Thanks everyone. I asked questions and got more information. The repair was completed and fixed the problem. Chassis A/C working very well now.

Be well.

That's great. What was broke and where did you go?

Thanks everyone. I asked questions and got more information. The repair was completed and fixed the problem. Chassis A/C working very well now.

Be well.

My 2006 compressor sure looked bad too. Turns out it was a minor oil leak from above that collected on the bottom of the compressor. When my ac went out recently, I found green dyed oil all over the bottom of the engine area. Found a great place that specializes in air conditioning. Small lot but arranged to have my 37 footer there really early when they opened. They found a hose with a hole in it. Took them about 2 hours to repair as the fittings near the condenser were seized in the small aluminum block. Find a place that specializes in air conditioning. They can usually make hoses and have the parts needed to repair. Ford only provides the compressor in your F-53, not the hoses or condenser so Ford may change the compressor, they probably will not want to mess with anything else in the system that doesn't belong to them, which is a lot of stuff.

Go somewhere else, plain and simple. $1300 and NO warranty?

price is not out of line but no guarantee it will be fixed is. Did they check anything or just take a guess

The estimate doesn't sound too bad but the lack of guaranty does bother me, a lot. Basically they want to throw an expensive part at the repair, on your dime, with no guaranty that the tech has located the problem. If the condenser doesn't do it, what next....change the compressor? If that doesn't fix the problem, then you have a used condenser, worth nothing, and a new installed condenser, that did not have to be changed.
I would RUN from that dealer and go to some place that has the equipment to trace a leak and guaranty their work. It is not up to you to pay $1300 to train some AC tech(?) that is not positive that he has found the problem. Obviously it could be something as simple as a loose connection, rather than a bad part. I hate mechanics that just throw parts at a problem until it is eventually fixed. All of the time just running up the bill. Your 2007 coach is not that old.

Look out!!! Did they do a dye test to see where it was leaking??It's very hard to find a mechanic anymore most are just parts replacers. A lot of good and bad dealers and independent shops. Just always get a second opinion!!

Forester 727 wrote:
We have a Winnebago Sightseer on a 2007 Ford chassis. The chassis A/C is blowing, but no cold air. I took into Ford and they said the condenser is leaking and it needs to be replaced. I was quoted about 1,300.00 for parts and labor with a caveat that they cannot guaranty that will fix it. Seems a little high on the cost.

Any thoughts?

The part that bothers me is that they want you pay $1300. for them just throw parts at the problem, but can't say for sure if it'll fix the problem??? No, I don't think so. I agree with others here. Find an independent Auto A/C shop and/or try some of the other (less expensive) suggestions offered here first before throwing big bucks at the problem.

Had the same problem with our 2006 Sightseer chassis A/C about three years ago. the $$$ amount for repair sounds similar to ours, We had repairs done by our RV dealer and luckily was covered by our extended service plan.

When mine failed to cool I bought a kit from Adv Auto for $20 that had a can or 134 with dye and stop leak, an ultraviolet light, a can of reg 134 with a gauge. The light showed the leak at the trinary switch which I replaced about 3 years ago and is still cooling well. If you look the system over carefully you could find the leak without the dye. It looks like an oily substance. If it is a major leak from the compressor seal I might spend the $1300 if it is minor I would try the kit first. I try to run the AC even in winter to keep the seals wet.