Finding an auto mechanic installing a part you bring in with you. Any tips to arrange?

In My Humble Opinion
21

In another life, I was an auto mechanic, 40-50 years ago. The shops I worked at didn’t particularly like to install parts supplied by the customer but it was often done. Some of the issues include, lack of ability to have made the initial “diagnosis” as the customer wandered in the door asking for a part to be replaced as he’d made the decision as to “what was wrong”. Then he could be mad if it doesn’t “fix his problem” but he still owes the labour.

Another issue was warranty. Customers rightly expect that if their car is repaired it is indeed repaired. The places I worked at commonly offered 90 days parts and labour warranty on numerous repairs. If the part the customer supplied fails early, will he still blame the shop for alleged faulty labour when it’s not our fault? What happens if the part he supplied is defective immediately? Does he understand he’s paying labour again?

When we supplied the part as well as the labour, then the customer knew he had “one stop” to make if there was a problem during warranty period. It was “on us” to make good. That was our preference as well as we were more likely to have a customer who felt he got a fair shake.

I was doing this work when most parts were made in North America and usually very reliable. I can only imagine the issues today when many parts are made in Asia under very inferior and questionable conditions leading to a higher probability of premature failure.

22

I’d think it probably depends on the part, and the reasoning.

In my experience, most smaller independent shops are pretty good about letting you bring your own parts if you’re modifying/improving your ride- if they specify Mopar pads for your Viper, and you roll in with EBC Redstuff pads, they’re likely not to give you a hard time. Same thing for most other parts- if you source your own high end part, they’re usually happy to charge you to put it in.

They do typically get sticky about mundane maintenance and you showing up with cheap-assed parts to save a buck. From their perspective, that just translates into more warranty work/return visits to determine if the cheapo reman part failed, or if it was an installation issue. They’d just as soon skip all that by specifying a better part to begin with.

And none of them warranty the parts themselves if you bring it in. They may warranty the work itself- i.e. if you bring it back, and they determine that they screwed up the installation. But if the part itself fails, you’re SOL.

23

This seems to be generally the case.

I actually didn’t have any trouble find a shop that will supply the labor alone. The first few places I called were fine with installing my parts. They just stressed that the repair would not include a warranty (without specifying parts-vs-labor warranty or anything like that).

I took the Escape in for an A/C diagnosis at a well-regarded local shop yesterday. I didn’t mention anything about installing parts – I really just needed to have an earlier OBD reading (no codes detected, no dashboard warning light, nothing) confirmed. But I thought it would be helpful to have the overall A/C system looked at.

Outcome: They were flummoxed. There were no OBD codes detected whatsoever. Refrigerant pressure is not low, per the shop (they’d have said if pressure was high, one hopes). No visually-obvious refrigerant leaks (though slow non-messy leaks are common enough). The compressor clutch engages, the compressor itself spins like normal and is not seized. Fuse and relay to compressor are good. Wiring tested good, no lack of continuity anywhere (though I guess there could be a comes-and-goes wiring issue?). Lack of OBD codes seem to rule out faulty pressure switches, but maybe not?

After getting the inconclusive A/C diagnostics, I asked the shop for an estimate to both procure and install a new A/C compressor kit - compressor, condenser, dryer/accumulator, expansion valve, O-rings, etc. To be clear: I would NOT be supplying my own parts for the purposes of this estimate.

The estimate came out to over $2,600, which is nearly triple the “I’ll live without it” amount budgeted. And their price for the kit was similarly about triple what I can buy it for myself (all caveats noted).

…

Anyway. I have it at a second shop now for another diagnosis. If the second place is similarly flummoxed, I will ask them if they’d be willing to simply discharge the old refrigerant, take the A/C lines to vacuum, and then refill with new refrigerant. This should do two things: (a) clear air out of the lines if some got in, and (b) clear out any small objects, grit, etc. that may have gotten into the lines. The latter would likely be a sign of a bigger problem, but at least I’d have that much extra knowledge of what is happening.

24

I own a classic, low production volume car. The only source of body parts is a donor car. With the oldest at 17 years old, people are talking about gaskets dry rotting out & no source to get replacements.
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I only go to the dealer for warranty service but since my car was already in for the free/warrantied Takata air bag replacement I told them to do the inspection. Shame on me, I missed a side marker light that was out; when they called to tell me it was out I asked how much; they stated $40. Since I was out anyway (driving their loaner) I stopped at an auto parts store & bought the bulb for $1. I walked in to the dealer with the bulb in my hand & said to the service writer you said I had a bulb out. He started to take it from me & said it would be only $20. I told him to direct me to my car. It took about 3 mins to replace it & that was only because it was backed up against the hedgerow & I couldn’t open the rear hatch due to the bushes & I had to shimmy my way to access the interior. If it was a foot further forward I would have been gone in 60 seconds.

25

Been there. I kept a limited run '85 Celica convertible for 30 years. I I finally sold it when plastic trim and interior components dried out and were cracking apart, and many of them were not the same as the standard celica parts. A younger guy who could still crawl around inside and under cars was very interested so I let it go. At least I found someone interested in the car and not just the parts.

26

All this is now done.

Second shop say everything with my car’s AC works properly EXCEPT that they suspect the condenser is faulty. Something about desiccant inside being messed up somehow? I didn’t follow the explanation well here. I understand the desiccant inside a condenser to be little crystals or pellets – maybe something punctured the condenser and those pellets “leaked” out?

Anyway, they recommended replacing the condenser, receiver/dryer (internal part of the condenser, no?), and expansion valve. Quote is $1,300 and change.

A lot better than $2,600 for a full compressor kit, but still prohibitive. Will take car back home today, unfixed, and try again elsewhere in the near future.

27

Thanks, everyone, for the talk-through from my initial approach. Now that I have an actual diagnosis that recommends swapping out of specific parts, buying my own parts and having them installed might actually end up being the way to go. Lack of warranty notwithstanding. Not the smartest least-risky approach, but to get this done I have to roll the dice more than someone who can just peel off cash. Otherwise, the fix can’t happen.

Not moving on this immediately

28

Honestly, when the air conditioning on my car died and I saw the bill to fix it I just decided to live without it and go with 4/40 (four windows down, 40 mph). But that’s not the best option for everyone.

Now looking at problems with the AC in my truck, not sure I want to be entirely without a vehicle with AC so I may be facing similar issues in my own future.

29

I know the smart approach is “don’t do your own research” and “trust the experts” and all. And truly, if money were no object, that would be the way to go for sure.

But it is possible to sift through the chaff to find, simultaneously, below-retail AND high-quality parts.

The last shop that quoted us (three posts up) told me the brands of the parts they planned to source. GPD and Global. Next step up, they said, was OEM Motorcraft parts (Ford’s parts division).

So … here’s a GPD condenser for my vehicle. $84. That might actually be better than the Motorcraft condenser ($194) – for less than half the price , yet – because the GPD one has corrosion protection.

The first shop that quoted me ($2,600 quote upthread) listed a NAPA condenser at $383 – that’s retail price with an undisclosed markup on top. NAPA is a brand I trust, but not at double the cost of the Motorcraft part. Additionally, if I shopped the NAPA condenser myself, I’d pay either $316 or $214 (haven’t yet researched the difference between these two parts).

I can do this. I can do the research and come up with a cherry part. Cheap.

…

I called yet another small shop earlier today to ask for a quote over the phone: Replace the AC condenser and expansion valve on my vehicle, plus vacuuming/refilling the refrigerant (this part is necessary). They asked me up front, “Are you bringing in the parts?” I said “No, quote me with parts you source” but I think I’m going to call them back.

30

This, I understand as I have friends with Saabs and other cars long out of manufacturing. They network like crazy to make things happen for their cars and they build bits themselves, too. Several have retired from regular jobs because they have learned how to fabricate the bits and bobs they need, which has led them to doing work for others and suddenly, they have second careers. It is worth the while of anyone running late model cars to get to know these people if they want to keep their cars in working order.

31

A/C is a godsend in many locales. I’ve heard it suggested that a broken A/C system is something better repaired sooner rather than later, if the system is inoperative due to a broken line it can allow for moisture and crud to intrude where it is not helpful.

32

Thanks for the response, @Common_Tater . The issue is isolated to the condenser itself – it and the expansion valve will have to be replaced. By your reckoning, does that qualify as a problem that leaves one or both lines compromised?

Unortunately, when it rains, it pours – this car A/C repair has taken a backseat to an out-of-pocket (less than deductible) roof repair we need to have done. Man, it must be great to have savings and just be able to peel off cash for this kind of stuff.

33

Been there done that. A “micro burst” took off a healthy patch of shingles a few years back. I was making coffee one morning after a storm. I looked out the window “Gee what are those shingles doing in the back yard?” I soon found out.

I think you’re probably just fine with the A/C as far as that goes, it’s just something to beware of, it is a sealed system.