Hi LYNers,

Looking to seek some advice as to whether this is reasonable, over priced or cut throat?

MYVI 2008 1.3

My car's AC was making a lethargic noise and decided to get it checked, little did I know after checking with the mechanic, there was a lot of black residue and he suggested it was time to change the compressor, condenser and cooling coil.

According to him, the condenser sponge was completely disintegrated hence causing overheating and ultimately spoiling the whole AC system.

Due to the fact I do not drive much (less than 900 km a month) and do not drive outstation, he recommended to just change to a new condenser, recon compressor and flush the cooling coil as I also wanted to a more 'budget' option.

The breakdown is as follows :

Gas Refill : RM 65

O Ring Piping : RM 16

Expansion Valve : RM 125

Condenser Sponge : RM 77

Flushing Solvent : RM 60

Recond Compressor : RM 410 (Warranty 3 months or 5k KM) - Currently using Lagi Best model because he said it was better than the 1st Gen

Condenser : RM 267 (1 year warranty) - Also using Lagi Best model

Labor : RM 160

Total = RM 1,180

Opinions and suggestions would be helpful!

This post has been edited by smokymcpot: Aug 9 2022, 05:22 PM

Same with mine. Pretty much change the whole thing. Combo new + recon.
Paid close to 1.5k.

Just did for my 11 yrs Alza
plus New Condenser, New Compressor and new cooling coil
brand ori.
Damage Rm2250

I don't own lagi best mine are 2nd gen facelift 1.3k cc most of the time use for working carry server everyday can reach 150km to 300km

My AC already replaced what it needed most I get from dealer price
Denso compressor RM 750
Coolgear condenser RM 180
Denso cooling coil 380
Denso indonesia up size radiator fan+housing+motor RM 180
Coolgear vavle expansion RM 100
Local made radiator RM 120 due to start leaking change as well
Labor+gas RM 400

No tell car brand .....

I think I mentioned it in the topic description : Myvi 1 st Gen 2008 1.3

Hahaha he posted 10.15pm , you edited 10.18pm

Yes, the post was edited to add 'MYVI 2008 1.3'.
'Myvi 1st Gen' was already in the topic description when I started the thread.

Nonetheless, we can argue all night on who was right or wrong but it would be pointless.

If you have any thoughts and opinions you would like to share regarding this topic, please do...

Already replied the post you posted 😂😂 , advice never use reconditioned compressor

This is acceptable pricing if you change whole set. Nothing wrong with it.

The problem is a lot of people did not knew that servicing A/C can prevent this if you do it at least yearly or max 2 years. Nowadays a lot of professional shop got those A/C flush machine to help fill up and exchange the compressor oil.

What other maintainence to do yearly besides flushing and refill refrigerant, exchanging compressor oil and change air cond filter at the proper interval?

Some even advocate "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". But little did they know the PAG in the system is deteriorating as the engine running time piles up.

Sharing a photo of a service done in 2013 and the extracted PAG was 4yrs old (90k km). The car was bought pre-loved so I have no idea if the system was serviced before. I can't locate the photo of new PAG, but it was transparent and clear, water like. Grade was ISO46.

Yes. The PAG oil can deteriot overtime. So to prevent the whole system turn black is better to service and change it.

The A/C shop will help determined if your air-cond filter is still in good condition or not during service. If not ok only they will propose to change.

Yup, I also got some advice from the mechanic :

No need to service, only come to me if there is a problem:

a) AC not cold (even when idle and hot day)
b) Chemical smell in the cabin
c) Leaking

But for peace of mind and after this incident, I'd rather service it yearly

At least after paying 1k+, the car feels very responsive now, its as if just sent for a major service. Probably caused the car was overcompensating for a broken AC system?

why didn't change cooling coil? Might as well, right?

Also, why are you doing the change? Cause it's not cold and shop too lazy to diagnose and said to change everything? But if change everything why not cooling coil also? Must be cause cooling coil is the hardest to change and pomen lazy to do it...

If black oil problem then you MUST change everything.

He also suggested but because I wanted something a little 'budget friendly', he suggested to flush it first and use for the time being. Focus on fixing parts which will give the most benefit.

His reasoning was if have to remove dashboard and etc to get to the cooling coil, it will cost more (around 2k ish).

If your a/c is having blackoil issue which is common in myvi, then by not changing cooling coil, it will eventually spread back to everywhere. All the parts need to be replaced again.

There is still no explanation for why need to change everything. If it's trial & error..change see will fix the issue or not. What if cooling coil is the one having problem? In the end spend the money changing everything then need to change cooling coil again...you are paying for double work.

Plus it shouldn't cost 2k. Because you paid 1180 for everything except cooling coil. Therefore changing cooling cost alone cost 1k? Nope, cooling coil only will cost 550.

If it was properly diagnosed, let's say it's only some oring leaking, it would have cost you like RM150 only. Instead of paying over 1k.

This post has been edited by abubin: Feb 25 2021, 06:57 PM

That's true, my concern is that after some time the issue will come back and spoil all the other components
So it is suggested I change my cooling coil as well?
Currently I am using a recon compressor, do I also need to change it to new to make the whole AC system last longer?

Thanks!

Looks fine. Gas refill also cheap. I think most shop charge RM80.

I would avoid using recon compressor unit. It's a gamble. Either it will work or it won't.

I think the compressor on 1st gen is using plastic or rubber part at the center of the clutch pulley. What will happen is that eventually the pulley will fall apart. Also the 1st gen compressor is smaller. That being said, my mom's 1st gen myvi is still strong with cold aircond. Probably because nobody really drive the car.