I'm at 124,400 miles on my Pilot btw. My concern with this, from what I've been reading, is that replacing the compressor is just the start of the major repairs being done to the AC system. They started out with an AC recharge last Wednesday, however that did not fix my warm air at idle AC temp issues. So I brought it in today asking them to take another look to find if the UV dye they put in leaked in the hose anywhere and they came back saying it's the condenser that needs replaced with a note stating (note may have more damage to system). I don't want to shell out $1900 just for that to not fix the issue either. At that point, I might as well just try to sell the Pilot, trying to recoup the $18k that I still owe on it, and look into a different vehicle. I've read that this issue could lead into a total AC replacement, costing upwards of $5k to replace the system and I'd rather not get into that when I'm already living pay check to pay check in a high COL area.

 

...I brought it in today asking them to take another look to find if the UV dye they put in leaked in the hose anywhere and they came back saying it's the condenser that needs replaced...

I'm not quite certain what's going on here. The thread title says you were quoted an AC compressor, but this sentence states you need a condenser (which is the radiator-like component that sits just behind the grille). You mentioned they installed leak dye -- did they observe that leaking anywhere? If they found it leaking from the condenser, and nowhere else, then you may be able to get away with simply replacing that. There are no moving parts in the condenser and there's little chance that this failure, by itself, introduced debris in the system to justify replacement of other components.

Now, if you really do need a compressor, then yes, the standard recommendation is replacement of other items as well. Replacement of only the compressor, without flushing and decontaminating the rest of the system, often results in failure of the new compressor due to inbound debris that's still circulating. Shops will often recommend replacement of the condenser at the same time, because it's difficult to flush them thoroughly. Other parts are sometimes recommended also, such as various filters, dessicants, orifice valves, etc.

I would think $1,900 would get more than just the compressor replaced, even at dealer retail prices on parts. If the compressor is $700, it shouldn't be an additional $1,200 to install it and recharge the system. I'd have to think there are additional things included in that $1,900 price quote.

 

Take it to a dedicated A/C shop, have them diagnose and give you a quote. If in fact you do need a new compressor I have no idea what that would cost, but at that quoted price I'd definitely get a 2nd opinion.

 

For sure. I was over here expecting to pay like $700 today which would have been whatever but for nearly $2k I can just put that towards a new car

 

The $700+ is just the cost for the factory compressor. Other parts if needed will add and then the labor. It really depends on what is causing it. Often it is just the clutch on the compressor but that is a PITA to get to and swap so most just do the whole compressor. Like I said in the other thread just changing compressor shouldn't be too awful depending how to get to it. On the CRV it was either drop the motor cradle some or pullout radiator to get enough room to access. All labor intense. I did the radiator method. I had to replace multiple parts due to the compressor falling apart and contaminating the system. Hopefully yours is just the compressor.

Definitely check some other AC shops or trusted places. Your flag says Denver, CO but other post says you are in FL. Maybe get some recommendations from friends/coworkers and check Yelp/Google reviews.

The sad part is if it is not working correctly at trade in the dealer might take 5k off the offer knowing potential cost to repair it for them to resell it.

Rock Auto AC compressor with condenser kit $375.

When I knew I was changing it I had my friend recover the Freon first. After I replaced everything he tested and recharged it. Any issues or leaks would be on me though (but there wasn't)

 

I'm currently looking into trading it in. Hopefully they don't look deep enough into it to dock off $5k from the price

 

I have never heard of a compressor causing this issue. Usually if it's warm at idle but fine when moving it's either low refrigerant or a fan issue.

 

If the AC worked fine for a period after they recharged it, then the compressor is fine. It needs a condenser (it happens). Find a shop that will verify the leak and do just the work required.

 

Just hope it’s not the evaporator. Is there any green dye leaking from the AC condensation drain?. The evaporator is usually located inside the cabin, and is buried in the dash. There can be a lot of labor involved to RR it.

 

On line search with the CRV, Honda had marked on the dash under glove box where to cut the plastic to get to it. There was metal that unbolted but instructions showed "cut here and here and dispose of the piece. Doing that job I now know why the labor cost is so high.