$850 is not too bad if they replace the compressor, drier/evaporator and orifice tube. Down here in Texas we have one or two months of winter and the rest of the year it is summer... it's been getting up to 108 for the last several days!... lol

 

Since grandma had it quoted @ 850, makes me think the shop was going to replace everything, as stated above. Have them do it if you can afford it. Or until then you could nickle and dime yourself into a deep hole. A new compressor will run about 300, O-ring kit, orifice, and dryer maybe 50 bucks. And say the purge/re-charge is 175ish, 525ish doing it yourself. Most of it not hard to do. For another 30 bucks I would change the AC Accumulator. I've seem systems fail here also. Don't "SWEAT" the little things, lol. Pun intended.

 

You can do it much cheaper than that, not to mention the knowledge gained.....plus youd have a set of gauges for future use, which is always handy

Compressor - $200
Accumulator - $20
Orifice tube - $5
O-ring set - $5
Refrigerant - $20
Gauges - $75
Vacuum pump rental - $25
Knowledge gained - PRICELESS

However, since the compressor runs and it was still holding pressure, you obviously dont need to replace everything. Theres a 99% chance you have a minor leak and all you need to purchase is an o-ring set and refrigerant.

 

yea, i will have to look more into it this weekend after i get my pay check haha.

 

I quoted the Compressor new not a reman. You could get a remanufactured compressor for around 200 bucks, that is true. But renting the purge/vaccuum for 25 bucks??? Where do You rent such equipment at that price?

 

Any rental place should have em and theyre about $20-25 per day.