[xj] Cost to Repair AC

XJ
1

I’m looking at purchasing a’86 xj6 with under 40K miles. The car is
cosmetically near mint. It has never seen a winter, no rust or body
damage. The paint is great. The interior looks like it is new.
Everything is exceptional about the car except due to, I assume,
lack of use the AC does not work. What is the best and worst case I
can expect from a cost standpoint to have the system professionally
repaired. I would not be doing any of this work myself and would
probably stay with Rf-12 if possible. I have heard from my reading
on this site that AC problems are a deal breaker for many people
when buying these cars do to repair expense and complexity.
Thank you.–
Larrman
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2

  1. you cannot stay with R12. You must convert to R134A or alternative.

  2. typically this involves new, less-permeable hoses, and new receiver/dryer

  3. quite often the compressor will need new seals if the system has been in
    dis-use for some time.

That’s it, assuming the system operated properly “when parked”. R134A,
properly installed works perfectly well in the Jaguar Delanaire system.

Gregory,
Victoria, Canada-----Original Message-----
From: Larrman
Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2015 8:35 AM
To: xj@jag-lovers.org
Subject: [xj] Cost to Repair AC

I’m looking at purchasing a’86 xj6 with under 40K miles. The car is
cosmetically near mint. It has never seen a winter, no rust or body
damage. The paint is great. The interior looks like it is new.
Everything is exceptional about the car except due to, I assume,
lack of use the AC does not work. What is the best and worst case I
can expect from a cost standpoint to have the system professionally
repaired. I would not be doing any of this work myself and would
probably stay with Rf-12 if possible.

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3

Re point #1, in the US it illegal to manufacture R12 but not to
use it. Here in the SC Upstate there are several shops that
still have a stash of R12 and they’re happy to use it if the
customer prefers. Of course he may just be postponing the
inevitable albeit, perhaps, for years and years.

BT-----Original Message-----
From: owner-xj@jag-lovers.org [mailto:owner-xj@jag-lovers.org]
On Behalf Of Dr. Gregory Andrachuk
Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2015 11:54 AM
To: xj@jag-lovers.org; Larrman
Subject: Re: [xj] Cost to Repair AC

  1. you cannot stay with R12. You must convert to R134A or
    alternative.

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4

In reply to a message from Dr. Gregory Andrachuk sent Sat 14 Mar 2015:

Thank you for the reply. If it has to be 134A than so be it.
My concern was this might be one of those situations where the whole
dashboard has to come out at great expense which would certainly
effect my offer for the car. I just have no idea how much expense
to factor into the negotiation.–
Larrman
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
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5

In reply to a message from Larrman sent Sat 14 Mar 2015:

A local shop just estimated $1400 to redo mine - flush
system, replace hoses, expansion valve, condenser, drier and
compressor.

David–
The original message included these comments:

effect my offer for the car. I just have no idea how much expense
to factor into the negotiation.

–
David Womby 78 XJ6L 5speed
Mount Dora, Florida, United States
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6

In reply to a message from Dr. Gregory Andrachuk sent Sat 14 Mar 2015:

Thank you for the reply. If it has to be 134A than so be it.
My concern was this might be one of those situations where the whole
dashboard has to come out at great expense which would certainly
effect my offer for the car. I just have no idea how much expense
to factor into the negotiation.

‘AC doesn’t work’ is pretty cryptic for AC cost assessment, Larrman…

Best case; 25 cents for a new fuse. Worst case; 3000+ dollars or thereabouts
for professional work and parts, changing everything - and that would be way
beyond what one would normally expect…! :slight_smile:

You should really question the vendor, and if possible - do some simple
tests. A main point is to check whether or no the compressor engages; the
idle drops as the AC is turned ‘on’ - and that the fans operate. A standard
test is to set to ‘auto’ and turn the temp control to full cold, ‘65’. The
face vents should be open, footwell and rear vents should be closed - and
working properly; the face vents should blow cold. This confirms a well
working system. And with the car available there are other tests to clarify
if it is a simple ‘malfunction’, due to some specific component failure - or
indeed a just lack of refrigerant…

If vents work properly; the common fault is that the refrigerant has leaked
out, and/or seals have dried out - due to leak-out of refrigerant, or
non-use. While finding and elimination leaks may be a hassle, the procedure
is standard for any AC shop - though they may be chary on giving you a cost
estimate. However, if a conversion to 134A is in the cards it would
basically cover and eliminate such faults - with fairly predictable cost
estimates. Though not covering actual component failures - which must be
assessed separately…

In-dash operations are usually not required - the evaporator itself is
fairly robust. Vacuum line leaks inside the dash may cause operation
anomalies - but are seldom encountered. And honestly, best approached by the
owner - it’s simple, but very time consuming…:slight_smile:

Your description of the car makes my mouth water - but be aware that regular
use, and maintenance, of a car is ‘best practice’ rather than a simple
mileage count…so…:slight_smile:

Frank
xj6 85 Sov Europe (UK/NZ)-----Original Message-----
From: Larrman
Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2015 7:16 AM
To: xj@jag-lovers.org
Subject: Re: [xj] Cost to Repair AC

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7

In reply to a message from Frank sent Sat 14 Mar 2015:

The total cost is not only parts, but shop labor. Very
variable. around here about $125. It adds up quickly.

The car and price are tempting, indeed.

And, how important is AC. Mine hasn’t worked since 2001!!!
It can get very hot around here. so, I drive it at night or
not at all and rely on the Jeep’s AC. Had it on yesterday.

My Jeep had been losing R134 over winters. But a couple of
years ago, I recharged it with stuff containing a sealer.
Fingers crossed, still great. and, I am an anti snake oil
guy.

Trouble is if the system is absent R123, the compressor
must be ‘‘fooled’’ to engage and see if it will. that doesn’t
determine whether or not the seals leak.

Now, a couple of cans of R134 and a converson kit. Merely a
couple of hose adapters. Use the ones with oil included.
Chhrge or attempt to charge. with tons of luck, it will
cool. Yahoo.

Temptation… TV star Cote de Pablo coos that so
nicely!!!

Carl–
The original message included these comments:

Thank you for the reply. If it has to be 134A than so be it.
My concern was this might be one of those situations where the whole
dashboard has to come out at great expense which would certainly
effect my offer for the car. I just have no idea how much expense
to factor into the negotiation.
Your description of the car makes my mouth water - but be aware that regular
use, and maintenance, of a car is ‘best practice’ rather than a simple
mileage count…so…:slight_smile:

–
Carl Hutchins 1983 Jaguar XJ6 with LT1 and 1994 Jeep Grand
Walnut Creek, California, United States
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8

In reply to a message from Larrman sent Sat 14 Mar 2015:

I finally got 'round to repairing mine about 3 years ago?
Unless seals and hoses have been refreshed, they are dried
out by now… So, New seals, hoses, mineral oil and 4lbs of
F12. The one seal on the firewall inside that small copper
line thingy was almost impossible to find, but the rest were
much more obvious. I totally DIY’d this (as the quote from
the PRO was in the $1000s). Hoses were coupla hundred. Freon
12 (don’t ask). Mineral oil was the cheapest part. Seals
were nickel /dime. Vacuum pump was borrowed from another
Jag-Lover.
The OEM compressor continues to soldier on (which the PRO
felt might need replacing). But they are known to live on
almost indefinitely, as long as Mineral Oil doesn’t deplete.
It took me several days…saved hundreds and hundreds and
hundreds…
Oh and you will need your EPA 609 certification. Mainstream
Engineering has what you need there.–
The original message included these comments:

Everything is exceptional about the car except due to, I assume,
lack of use the AC does not work. What is the best and worst case I
can expect from a cost standpoint to have the system professionally
repaired. I would not be doing any of this work myself and would

–
Ted Macklin/'85 XJ6SIII
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
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