# PT Cruisers -- A/C problems **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [March 6, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pt-cruisers-a-c-problems/27370 "2009-03-06T21:06:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RomiMommy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ea924/32.png) [@RomiMommy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RomiMommy)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pt-cruisers-a-c-problems/27370/1 "2009-03-06T21:06:19Z")
My cruiser looses freon and blows hot air, even when all knobs are in “off” position. My mechanic says the dash has to be pulled off to fix it – and it will cost about $1300 to fix—and this is a common problem with Cruisers…Is it? ---
**Author:** ![wizard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a87d85/32.png) [@wizard](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wizard)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 10:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pt-cruisers-a-c-problems/27370/2 "2009-03-06T22:31:30Z")
I am sorry to inform you that at least where I live that we have the A/C on year round it is a common problem on most modern cars. Yes, the dash has to be pulled out too for most cars. As far as the price is concerned I dare not say in comparison with where I live. ---
**Author:** ![RomiMommy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ea924/32.png) [@RomiMommy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RomiMommy)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 11:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pt-cruisers-a-c-problems/27370/3 "2009-03-06T23:14:33Z")
Thanks so much for your response; I also checked with “Just Answer” at Chrysler and found out the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 11:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pt-cruisers-a-c-problems/27370/4 "2009-03-06T23:15:06Z")
Are you saying refridgerant loss is a common problem on most modern cars? You can and do loose refridgerant even when the compressor is not running. Many cars loose refridgerant many many more don’t. A certain amount of loss is part of the design,but not in amounts that can’t be compensated for economically with by periodic recharge (4 to 6 yrs) For the OP what part is requiring dash removal,evaporator? Dash removal never paid much under warranty from the Dealer (C/K pickup under 4 hrs) why is your man charging so much? Get us a itemized diagnosis to go over. ---
**Author:** ![RomiMommy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ea924/32.png) [@RomiMommy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RomiMommy)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 11:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pt-cruisers-a-c-problems/27370/5 "2009-03-06T23:46:09Z")
The freon loss is probably due to the Evaporator which has to be replaced and a loose expansion valve. I didn’t take it to a dealer, for the car is not under warranty now…it being about 8 years old. I also found out that there may be a blend air broken door – so all require the dash removal and repair. The “official” Chrysler mechanics at “Just Answer” estimated that the total time to remove and replace dash and repair would be a straight 6-8 hrs worth of work, which would add up in terms of labor costs. If it also requires a new evaporator, another $300 for the part, a broken blend air door, $100. My mechanic gave me a final project price of $1000. Thanks for your response and the chance to get it all out there! ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 11:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pt-cruisers-a-c-problems/27370/6 "2009-03-06T23:56:47Z")
I like the 8 hr labor figure (6 is a little skinny) 8 hrs for evaporator,blend door,expansion valve,evac and recharge,OK. Give your dash and all accessories a good look over (before and after) so many chances to make a mistake. What about a new drier/reciever? ask your mechanic. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2009, 1:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pt-cruisers-a-c-problems/27370/7 "2009-03-07T13:25:03Z")
``` This may be a good time to take a vacation to Florida or Texas etc. The A/C shops down there tend to be very efficient (they do a lot of them) and charge a lot less than northern shops and do as well or better. So if you have been considering a vacation, that is what I would do. ```