Hi guys, I just recently got my Perodua Axia aircon compressor magnetic clutch replaced, because it's spoiled already.
The workshop charged me RM335 for the part (not original part) and RM50 for the labour cost.

I understand workshops usually mark-up the prices of spare parts to increase their profit margins, but I need to know if I kena cutthroat ady or is it a fair price to pay ~RM380 to replace aircon compressor magnetic clutch / magnetic coil.

If I really kena cutthroat, how much should it actually cost?

Any mechanics or experienced car owners can shed some light on this?

What is the issue with your aircond in the first place ? If overfill gas also can trip/sabotage the aircond compressor so they can claim the clutch broken.

should calculate this way, part rm100, labour 280

Malaysia culture don't appreciate labour, I think that's why the bill come as clutch 300 labour 50

This post has been edited by fireballs: Feb 1 2021, 02:25 PM

go ask at sparepart shop how much the magnetic coil cost. From there u know how much profit the workshop makes.

A NEW compressor for small car like Axia would probably cost just as much?

My honda city, rm280, 3rd party part. All in. 2 years ago was in KL

The clutch memang broken ady. Magnetic power is very weak. Gas wasn't overfilled before.
Since 1 week ago, my car takes about 5 to 10 mins of engine running for the aircon to start blowing cool air. Already wanted to service aircond soon, but mana tau today the aircon just stopped blowing cool air.

I actually don't mind the labour cost to be RM200+ if they can be upfront about it though.

Then I guess they put me on the chopping board and butchered me ady

I see... lesson learnt.

Well.. lazada say the clutch is rm100
But the amount of time spent to troubleshoot, take apart
The guy probably used 2 hours at least.
So consider labour rm100 per hour lah

True, took two hours+ to finish fixing it.

No lah... a new one probably will cost RM450+++. But for a non-original part? I would rather go brand new....

Many are "mechanics" that do not know anything more than just putting/ assemblying the compressor with other parts of the aircond system. That means they only see/ know the obvious - joining up the connectors.

Just like the people at "authorised" service centres. Most are just oil-changers.

Depends on the spare part. If aftermarket/3rd pary part, sounds expensive. If original Perodua part, understandable and within reason.

You are lucky he said to change magnetic clutch only. He could have tried telling you to change whole compressor. That would cost even more.

You might have overpaid a little but it's okay if the job is completed nicely. Reasonable would be RM260-RM300 for everything.

Years ago when I drove my ex Wira with a weak compressor, I brought my car to this old man:
Syarikat International Cooler

located in Taman Bahagia PJ.

He did the entire compressor overhaul job - Not simply slap in a recond compressor.
Honest and willing old man. Though it is a long job - take days to complete. Because it is he alone doing the job.

And he charge me around RM 400 if I recall.
Yes. Complete overhaul. Use back the compressor. I think it included replacing the magnetic clutch.

These days hard to find honest mechanic. Most of them all out to butcher its customers with no mercy. Best to search in FB and read other people's comment before commiting.

This post has been edited by SleeplessEyes: Feb 2 2021, 11:28 AM

Old type wira if not mistaken is using piston type compressor. It is easier to fix and repair compare to rotary or swash plate compressor type.
From what i know, most newer car compressor type already using rotary or swash plate compressor type due to lighter and fuel efficient.
But the catch is newer type compressor repair cost is not cheap and cannot last long thus why most A/C shop did not recommend to repair modern type compressor.

This post has been edited by littlefire: Feb 2 2021, 12:33 PM

Part 100, labour 150, gas + oil 50, balance CNY/MCO surcharge (whichever way u prefer).

That'll make TS feel better.

This I cannot comment, because now I myself driving the Axia after I sold the Wira.
So far touch wood, 83K, aircond still alright - cause I always put my temperature 1/4 (or 10 o'clock position) .

CygnusLeo
A quick survey on Axia magnetic clutch price, sad to say, your mechanic has succesfully potong you 9 9.

Perodua Axia Magnetic Clutch - RM 89.

OK lah, lets say he bought the thing at RM 89, sold to you at RM 335 .
Thats a 276% markup

I dont mind, if I buy at RM 89, and then he charge me workmanship RM 150 instead of RM 50.

For RM 335, can buy new compressor liao, this one not bullshitting.
https://shopee.com.my/Aircond-Compressor-SD...4056.4239666687

I helped you, limit the price to max RM 400 in Shopee:
https://shopee.com.my/search?keyword=axia%2...ion=true&page=0

I believe the compressor need to take out to change the magnetic clutch and later reinstall back & replenish the gas.
The refill gas itself is not cheap tho, nowadays also need at least RM50~80 depending on area.

Besides that if the A/C shop might provide warranty, usually will also mark up higher in case of anything happen within the warranty period.
Mark up price usually at least 50~100%

If you ask me RM335 with refill gas, workmanship and warranty given should be able to justify, unless no warranty given then higher a bit.

100 - Magnetic Clutch
50 - Workmanship
50 - Gas replenish
Total Cost - 200
Warranty mark up 50% - 100 + 200 = 300
include tax or additional charges around 10% = Around 330

Workmanship of 50 does not make sense. As our country is moving towards being more developed, human workmanship is the most valuable resources. That much work disassembling the compressor then replacing the magnetic clutch then re-install then add gas and oil. It should be the most expensive. I think workshops should start charging things as what it should. Markup a bit on the parts but charge a proper workmanship is the right way in 2021. Only old people mentality will think paying workmanship is not worth it.

100 - magnetic clutch
150 - workmanship
60 - gas + oil
Total should be 310. That should be the way. If cust want to bring their own parts, sure..deduct like RM90 on a RM100 magnetic clutch..citing I am making less. I am sure most users are okay with that. Also, this way, people will appreciate pomen skills. Mechanics will look to upgrade their skill to charge more and provide better proper service.

Actually, most shop charges workmanship cost slightly lower because they've already mark up the spare parts price. So it's a win win for the workshop. The workmanship might look cheap but they've slaughtered you on the parts pricing already.

It won't help if workshop increases the workmanship price yet maintaining the mark up price on spare parts. We consumer will be at the losing end.

I know because when I bring my own parts to replacement, the workshop told me they will have to charge more on workmanship since not using their parts.

Workmanship is very subjective as different area (town or rural area), different skill level (Road side mechanic or full certified mechanic) got different charges.
If you are fixing it in town area with certified mechanic, workmanship of around RM100/h is normal.

BTW as per some mention above, some might mark up higher in the parts. Like i also mention some might provide warranty and markup around 50~100% for it. So in the end the total cost also around RM300.

This post has been edited by littlefire: Feb 3 2021, 09:30 AM

If you know how to do... It cost you RM150 and with a lot of sweat and energy.

Don't be cheapskate. Appreciate workmanship, labour and the people whom help you solved your problem.

I was once charged RM200 for a home aircon services and i know the market rate is only between RM130-150.

I've also paid the aircon technician willingly without hesitation, and don't even talk about it or ask about it.

At last i got a services which lasted for 1 year before the next aircon services due.

The advise or lesson is, if you know how to do it, do it your self.
If you don't know, appreciate the workmanship and the person whom solved the problem for you.
When something is paid, be it overprice or a bit expensive, you do not have to accuse people of cheating or talk about it online.

This post has been edited by InitialB: Feb 3 2021, 09:38 AM

I think you misunderstand me. I am saying workshops should charge correctly. Don't do things like low low workmanship and then put the value into the parts. This actually reduce the value of skills. That is why people look down upon these skills or think that it's not worth paying that much. It's not actually a lot if they understand that skill and time involved. This make it more clear on parts and workmanship. It represent a better picture of fixing cars. A lot of countries measure it by estimate hours. Like you said, different places or different sifu level different price per hour. The public need to learn about these things. That's how an industry advance and it's skillset workers too.

Because they have already clearly define the rates, if you bring your own parts they can add a bit more on the workmanship alone. That is fine. Not like now, if you use their parts, workmanship is 50. If you use you own parts, workmanship is 150. It doesn't represent the correct value of the workmanship. It should be 100 per hour if use their parts and 110 per hour if use own parts. This makes it not much different whether you bring your own parts or not.

Agree with you. Sadly, I can say 90% of workshops are doing like what you said. Inflate the workmanship cost if you bring your own parts.

Currently, I have 2 practices when it comes to servicing / repairing my car.

1) For major job, I will stick to my reliable mechanic. His spare parts and labour pricing is quite affordable and you won't feel getting slaughtered.

2) For small jobs, I will find a mechanic that don't sell spare parts. He only charges labour and help you install the parts you bring in. Reason being, these type of mechanic doesn't want to deal with the hassle of claiming warranty on faulty parts. So they are more at ease to offer workmanship only.

lol, I just did mine at home with hand tools

save 380

You didn't release any gas?

nah, clutch is on the belt pulley side , external to the compressor

Just came across this post and found that after one year the price increased so much? Went to shop near oug old klang road when no cold air blow, then found that the magnetic clutch is not working anymore, and it charges RM590 for the magnetic clutch with labour charges. The mere magnetic clutch they charged RM385, didnt know the price from shoppee is only RM90. Wtfffff, never ever visit this shop. The name is syarikat perniagaan motor meng lee, u all can see the screenshot of the receipt. Am really kena cutthroat gao gao from here.

Just came across this post and found that after one year the price increased so much? Went to shop near oug old klang road when no cold air blow, then found that the magnetic clutch is not working anymore, and it charges RM590 for the magnetic clutch with labour charges. The mere magnetic clutch they charged RM385, didnt know the price from shoppee is only RM90. Wtfffff, never ever visit this shop. The name is syarikat perniagaan motor meng lee, u all can see the screenshot of the receipt. Am really kena cutthroat gao gao from here.


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I think TS said he was charged an overall of RM380 (335+50) to get the job done.

This price is considered ok if the mechanic also include replenishing the gas and oil after the job.

I changed my magnetic clutch for around rm2xx.
That's before i wasted rm50 from another shop who insisted my compressor rosak and took it out before he told me the issue. I told him its my magnetic clutch and insisted he put everything back as i'm not going to change something that is not broken.
Anyway i still have to pay for his "labour fee". Then i took my car to another shop and he just changed my magnetic clutch ans everything is good as new till i sold my car 1 year later.

Just change Latio 1.8 magnetic clutch + gas + belt + workmanship for RM450. Aircon suddenly blow hot air intermittently when holiday travelling yesterday.