A/C manifold line
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Member
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: TX
A/C manifold line
Ok. I have a `99 Expedition 5.4L 4x4. A/C has not been cooling. Dealer says it's a leak in the A/C manifold line. I pretty much believe it because there is some green wetness on it that looks like freon leakage. The thing is they are quoting me $246 for the part, and about $700 total. 
Now I know they have to suck the system down, and move the compressor to take care of it, but geez, $400+ for labor. Seems very excessive. Anyone have any thoughts or experience on this?
Now I know they have to suck the system down, and move the compressor to take care of it, but geez, $400+ for labor. Seems very excessive. Anyone have any thoughts or experience on this?
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Georgia on my mind...
The green you're seeing is UV dye. The price on the manifold line is about right, list is like $214 or so with auxillary air (P/N XL1Z-19D850-BA. Along with a drain, sweep, and recharge, we charge 1.4 hours plus however much refrigerant you'd need. I did the manifold line on my F250 before, but then again I had the engine out at the same time 
My rough guestimate based on what the stealership I work at charges:
Manifold line: $240
Drain, sweep, recharge: Approx. $105 labor plus $2/oz of 134a, plus taxes, shop fees, etc al.
Labor to install manifold line: I'd say maybe an hour, hour and half tops, using a relatively low $70/hr labor rate, $70-100.
I wouldn't recommend any type of sealer, during the summer when ambient temps are high, head pressure in the A/C will be relatively high as well and might make short work of most sealers. All things being equal, I'd call around to some independent shops and get a second quote.
My rough guestimate based on what the stealership I work at charges:
Manifold line: $240
Drain, sweep, recharge: Approx. $105 labor plus $2/oz of 134a, plus taxes, shop fees, etc al.
Labor to install manifold line: I'd say maybe an hour, hour and half tops, using a relatively low $70/hr labor rate, $70-100.
I wouldn't recommend any type of sealer, during the summer when ambient temps are high, head pressure in the A/C will be relatively high as well and might make short work of most sealers. All things being equal, I'd call around to some independent shops and get a second quote.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: TX
You do need to change the O-rings.
FYI, I ended up purchasing the parts from http://www.rockauto.com/ for half of what dealer and others wanted. I was going to have a local shop evacuate and recharge for me and let me do the part, but they offered cheap enough to do it that I had them do it all for me. So, in short, the dealer wanted well over $700 to do the job. I spent right at $300 total.
FYI, I ended up purchasing the parts from http://www.rockauto.com/ for half of what dealer and others wanted. I was going to have a local shop evacuate and recharge for me and let me do the part, but they offered cheap enough to do it that I had them do it all for me. So, in short, the dealer wanted well over $700 to do the job. I spent right at $300 total.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,509
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From: Georgia on my mind...
Marcos sez...
Highly recommended, you'll already be in there, might as well swap out the O-rings while you're at it.
When changing manifold: should O-rings be change?