should I take my car to the dealer or an a/c shop to diagnose and fix my a/c. What are the good the bad and the uglies, as far as costs, quality and know how. I need a general concensus of all the NSX gurus here.
Thanks
Thanks
Shop or dealer?
- Thread starter loNfastNSX
- Start date
If you know the mechanic or trust the shop I don't see anything wrong with having them do AC work. There are a few specifics with the NSX regarding the climate control system that is covered in the FAQ. I remember reading that regarding a leaky evaporator can be inspected without taking the dash completely apart. They can just take the blower motor off to inspect.
Of course the dash does need to come out the replace. You can even give them a print-out of the online service manual.
Of course the dash does need to come out the replace. You can even give them a print-out of the online service manual.
If I lived in Houston, I would take it to someone with a lot of NSX experience. Why? Because EVERY mechanic there ought to have plenty of experience with A/C systems, but those with NSX experience should also be familiar with common problems that are specific to the NSX A/C system.
AndyVecsey recommends John Eagle Acura (281-576-0600) for NSX service in Houston.
AndyVecsey recommends John Eagle Acura (281-576-0600) for NSX service in Houston.
Yellow Rose
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should I take my car to the dealer or an a/c shop to diagnose and fix my a/c?
Why even consider taking an NSX to an AC shop that may not have any experience repairing AC on an NSX? If your reply to this is something along the lines of, “Because dealerships charge too much”, then why ask your original question if you are somewhat biased against a dealership? But nevermind me.....I shop at Discount Tires, and that is exactly my point. You had a bad experience at DT but I have not. I take my NSX to the dealership but you would consider an independent shop. Caveat emptor.
Why even consider taking an NSX to an AC shop that may not have any experience repairing AC on an NSX? If your reply to this is something along the lines of, “Because dealerships charge too much”, then why ask your original question if you are somewhat biased against a dealership? But nevermind me.....I shop at Discount Tires, and that is exactly my point. You had a bad experience at DT but I have not. I take my NSX to the dealership but you would consider an independent shop. Caveat emptor.
My reason for asking is because The dealership (John Eagle Acura) told me that they do not have that much experiance with the ac units in our cars. Ac shops however specialize in ac repair and diagnosis. I guess what I want to know is, has anyone had a good or bad experiance with a ac shop. If so, would I be better off going to the dealership?
No, It just stopped blowing cold air. I heard a loud pop and then nothing. The blower is ok but I get nothing from the compressor. I tested to see if it was getting juice and it was positive. I cant turn it by hand either. It was kinda cold out when it blew so ive put it off. So, there is not a drop of coolant in it. I had some when it went out though. I still have the R12 so its kinda hard to test it myself. Any thoughts?
Yellow Rose
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So, there is not a drop of coolant in it.
You mean refrigerant? If this is the case, the compressor may have seized.
My reason for asking is because The dealership (John Eagle Acura) told me that they do not have that much experience with the ac units in our cars.
The fact that JEA admitted that they do not have much AC experience, vs taking your car in, speaks volumes for their integrity. However, translation - the tech that would be doing the work would take longer than the book hours, JEA would pay him actual hours, resulting in JEA taking a bit of a loss. Regardless, JEA is still my Acura dealership of choice. However, there are other Acura dealerships in Houston for you to choose from.
And while you may still be entertaining the possibility of an independent doing the work, I’ll share something with you. About a year-and-a-half ago, I was at a local Texaco shop when I saw a black NSX having the timing belt serviced. I was not particularly impressed with the lack of any padded rear trunk protection. Not that it is hard like a steel tool, but the timing belt was laid onto the trunk’s surface. If memory serves me correctly, and it could be faulty after thousands of margaritas, the car was there for one week. Caveat emptor.
You mean refrigerant? If this is the case, the compressor may have seized.
My reason for asking is because The dealership (John Eagle Acura) told me that they do not have that much experience with the ac units in our cars.
The fact that JEA admitted that they do not have much AC experience, vs taking your car in, speaks volumes for their integrity. However, translation - the tech that would be doing the work would take longer than the book hours, JEA would pay him actual hours, resulting in JEA taking a bit of a loss. Regardless, JEA is still my Acura dealership of choice. However, there are other Acura dealerships in Houston for you to choose from.
And while you may still be entertaining the possibility of an independent doing the work, I’ll share something with you. About a year-and-a-half ago, I was at a local Texaco shop when I saw a black NSX having the timing belt serviced. I was not particularly impressed with the lack of any padded rear trunk protection. Not that it is hard like a steel tool, but the timing belt was laid onto the trunk’s surface. If memory serves me correctly, and it could be faulty after thousands of margaritas, the car was there for one week. Caveat emptor.
I don't really see an major differences in the NSX AC system vs others. Besides being a larger system (compressor in back) and dual condensors, our system has all the same components as other climate control systems. What is so difficult about it that an experienced mechanic (one that doesn't work at an Acura dealership) should have such a problem?
Yellow Rose
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I don't really see an major differences in the NSX AC system vs others.
In concept, there is no difference.....all AC systems have a compressor, evaporator, condenser(s), expansion valve, drier and Freon.
Besides being a larger system (compressor in back) and dual condensers, our system has all the same components as other climate control systems.
Correct. See hlweyl, I am not always a smartass.
However.....
What is so difficult about it that an experienced mechanic (one that doesn't work at an Acura dealership) should have such a problem?
Simple. If the independent technician does not have the NSX service manual handy, will he know how part A fits over part B that screws into part C that snaps loose from part D but be sure not to twist part E the wrong way or part F will break? Now, is having saved a few hundred bucks worth potentially having the AC system re-assembled with a handful of nuts-n-bolts left over, worth it?
In concept, there is no difference.....all AC systems have a compressor, evaporator, condenser(s), expansion valve, drier and Freon.
Besides being a larger system (compressor in back) and dual condensers, our system has all the same components as other climate control systems.
Correct. See hlweyl, I am not always a smartass.
However.....What is so difficult about it that an experienced mechanic (one that doesn't work at an Acura dealership) should have such a problem?
Simple. If the independent technician does not have the NSX service manual handy, will he know how part A fits over part B that screws into part C that snaps loose from part D but be sure not to twist part E the wrong way or part F will break? Now, is having saved a few hundred bucks worth potentially having the AC system re-assembled with a handful of nuts-n-bolts left over, worth it?
AndyVecsey said:
Correct. See hlweyl, I am not always a smartass.
Simple. If the independent technician does not have the NSX service manual handy, will he know how part A fits over part B that screws into part C that snaps loose from part D but be sure not to twist part E the wrong way or part F will break? Now, is having saved a few hundred bucks worth potentially having the AC system re-assembled with a handful of nuts-n-bolts left over, worth it?
I never said you were always a smartass.
I did mention in my earlier post about supplying the technician with the service manual. But you do make a good point... kinda.
I would think that someone experienced in servicing NSXs should know what the common problems are - such as the climate control ECU failing, the power transistor that causes the fan to only work on high, etc etc etc, and what the proper course of action is for each one. Someone familiar with A/C systems but not with NSX repair might have to spend a lot more time diagnosing and determining what to do.
It all comes down to one simple word: "Experienced"
My $.02
LarryB
My $.02
LarryB
Larry Bastanza said:It all comes down to one simple word: "Experienced"
My $.02
LarryB
Damn good point!!!
OK, anybody in the Houston or kinda near area, have any AC work done by an independant AC shop? If so let me know where and if you would send another NSX owner there. Or If you know of someone that has experience with the NSX AC, PLEASE let me know.
You may want to consider posting your question on the Southcentral regional forum here on NSXprime, so that more folks in your area might see it...
Call Brad at AutoLogic - he does a bunch of NSX work for a lot of Houston guys. He might not do the AC work, but I bet he could refer you to someone who would do a good job for you.
