Story about trying to fix my 98 f150 a/c

[rpark]

I had been really busy this summer putting in a wood floor into my house so I decided to bring my 98 F150 4.2 V6 into Canadian Tire last week to see if I had a leak in my A/C system as it stopped working a month ago. I am a DIY but really don't want to get into fixing the A/C. If there was a leak then I probably would not bother fixing it. Long story short, is that they tell me I need a new compressor ($490), new drier ($200) and new cut-out switch (cycling switch: $24) and labour = $1300 total before taxes. I was laughing on the phone. I live in Canada so it was kinda ridiculous spending $1.5K fixing the A/C on a 98 vehicle when I really need the A/C 20 days out of the year. So I start to grill the service person who called me. He rambles on about the 3 things that need to be replaced and so I ask him why he needs to replace the dryer and he says he has to replace it cause the o-rings (connections aren't the right ones). So, I said is it leaking. He says no. So I said my a/c system is not leaking and I have the right pressure. He says yes. So then I asked why do you have to replace the compressor. He said it was seized. So asked him how does he know it's seized since there's no current coming from the cycling switch (maybe there was or wasn't, it was a trick question). So, now he gets the mechanic to come on line. Mechanic says there is no leak. mechanic says he bypassed switch and compressor came on but was rough (LOL, it was not before A/C stopped working) and that's why he has to replace it. I said Don't do any work and I'll pick up the truck. Anyways, my leak test says I have a leak and I have a white sticker on my a/c hose saying leak has to be fixed before refrigerant is added. I am 100% sure there is no leak as the air was cold when it worked. I asked the service rep (same guy who was on the phone) if there was a leak and he said no. Yes, I do think some (not all) auto shops are interested in racking up the bill and ripping people off. I tapped my front plate of my A/C and it would kick in so I suspect my shim needed adjusting. I replaced the switch, adjusted the shim and my A/C is back to normal. My puller bearing makes no noise and my compressor is smooth so I have no idea why this mechanic said it was rough. It never was. I read thru all the A/C postings on here which helped me trouble shoot my problem. Will replace the clutch next summer if I decide to keep my truck longer. This forum save me money

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