Firestone ripoff AC work lasts one and a half weeks. Austin Texas
I took my 94 LeBaron in for ac work. It wouldnt blow cold. Randy stated it had a leak that was so large it was hard to tell if there where any other leaks. After spending $337.00 it was supposed to have been fixed. A week and half later... no more cold air. I took it back. This time, all kinds of parts are leaking. I asked if I was going to be replacing every part in my ac system. The reply was "yes, everything but the compresser".
I used to own an automotive repair shop so I do know a little bit about cars. And there is no way all those leaks sprung up in that short of time. So the new bill is going to be $755.00 or something close to that. I guess they figure since I already put 300 into it I would feel like I needed to spend the rest or the 300 would be wasted.
I do not think the car was checked for leaks after the first leak was fixed. Sorry guys..
I will be taking it to their competitors for an opinion which Im sure will be much different. Firestone does not stand behind their work and that stupid motto they got is a lie.
Its jerks like you that give the automotive industry such a bad reputation. Randy, you should be fired. Hey, I'll have to look into that.
Karen
austin, Texas
U.S.A.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Robert
Jacksonville,Florida,
U.S.A.
Good deal
#6Consumer Comment
Tue, August 09, 2005
Yes Karen, having less than 50K miles on the car does make a difference. The compressor probably developed a leak at the front seal. I would suggest using the A/C all the time. You will get better gas mileage if you use it...the car was designed with windows up and is more aerodynamic that way. Back in the 60's-70's the compressors robbed power, but not since they changed up in the early 80's. Use of the system will all but eliminate the main cause of seal failure...lack of lubricant. I'm glad you got another opinion...it always helps. Do not be surprised though, if you have problems with original parts failing due to the pressures caused by good compressors. Good luck with your car. If it's the GTC, it will be a collector car.
Karen
austin,Texas,
U.S.A.
followup
#6Author of original report
Mon, August 08, 2005
I took my car to a different shop for a second opinion. I was told it was the compressor. So now I had two completely different diagnoses. So I went with the compressor and its been 5 weeks. No problems. There where no leaks. Did I forget to mention the car only had 47k miles on it.
Firestone said to replace everything but the compressor. Sounds like their not really mechanics either.Maybe I could get a job there.
Karen
austin,Texas,
U.S.A.
followup
#6Author of original report
Mon, August 08, 2005
I took my car to a different shop for a second opinion. I was told it was the compressor. So now I had two completely different diagnoses. So I went with the compressor and its been 5 weeks. No problems. There where no leaks. Did I forget to mention the car only had 47k miles on it.
Firestone said to replace everything but the compressor. Sounds like their not really mechanics either.Maybe I could get a job there.
Karen
austin,Texas,
U.S.A.
followup
#6Author of original report
Mon, August 08, 2005
I took my car to a different shop for a second opinion. I was told it was the compressor. So now I had two completely different diagnoses. So I went with the compressor and its been 5 weeks. No problems. There where no leaks. Did I forget to mention the car only had 47k miles on it.
Firestone said to replace everything but the compressor. Sounds like their not really mechanics either.Maybe I could get a job there.
Robert
Jacksonville,Florida,
U.S.A.
Sorry Karen it is the same exact repair every Chrysler product needs for that series of automobile
#6Consumer Comment
Sat, June 11, 2005
You may not know what you're talking about. You have an 11 year old car. When you stop a leak in one place, another MAY show up. This happens all of the time. Everybody out there who owns a 100 piece Craftsman toolset claims to be a mechanic and everyone who drives past a garage claims to be an expert.
You have a 94 Chrysler LeBaron(thank you for providing the year and model) so I will use my amazing powers of deduction to say the evaporator, both hose assemblies, and condensor are shot. When the system is opened up, the shop will have to replace the filter/drier and expansion valve.
How do I believe this? Because it is the same exact repair every Chrysler product needs for that series of automobile. I've had to replace everything on my wife's Daytona(same car, different skin) twice with one exception...the compressor.
It is the only original part in the A/C system. The first time, I replaced the leaking condensor. The next day, the evaporator blew out. The same thing for my 98 Concorde LXI. See how it works. I put a new compressor on a customer's 91 Lumina.
Her evaporator blew out because the system now had real pressure and flow going through it. Do get a second opinion, but I get the feeling you'll be hearing the same thing Firestone told you. A smaller shop will probably give you a price more to your liking though. Good luck.