Is it normal for an AC compressor to go bad again in 4 yrs after replacement?
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I bought my 2004 Prius from my sister who had the air conditioner compressor replaced on August 14, 2010. I have had the vehicle for about 4 years and the compressor appears to be bad again. I took it to Love Toyota in Saint Albans, WV last month after it started blowing hot air. They wanted $200.00 just to do a diagnostic check which included: EVAC, recharging and putting dye in the system. I opted to take it to a local mechanic who put dye and stop leak into the system. It worked fine for about a month. I took it back and they checked for dye and couldn't find any. Now I am told that since it is an electric compressor that only Toyota can check to see if it is leaking inside the compressor. Toyota had told me that to replace the compressor would cost me $1,600. My sister paid $1,200 to replace the compressor 4 years ago. Is this normal for a compressor to go bad after only 4 years? If not, does anyone know how I could fight this and get Toyota to replace their defective compressor? Any ideas what else I might check or how I could check it myself?
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Absolutely not normal. I have an '04 Prius with the original compressor. These cars are very different from the normal Toyotas. They have special oil that only the dealership has. I would call Toyota Customer Affairs. They will have a record of the repairs as long as you have the VIN code.
