RANT on KW Dealer

Listen.....pulling a vacuum all night does not test for leaks. You can only pull 14 or so psi of maximum vacuum, because thats atmospheric pressure. The AC system runs up to 400 PSI. A pinhole can leak at 400 psi and not at 14. Or more realistically, at 90 or so and not 14 (since the truck sat without running all day and leaked out)

Pulling a vacuum all night does nothing except make sure that all the moisture that can possibly be removed from the system is removed. And thats important. I pull a vacuum on my systems for a couple hours when i work on them.

 

Don't feel bad man I had much the same experience with an MHC KW dealer several months ago as a result I am doing most parts changing myself in the future. Talking about washing the underside of your truck and doing it sloppy, I had over $10K worth of insurance body work and paint done from a non-preventable after a car ran into me last year and when I got the truck back one of the guys apologized for them not giving the truc a proper wash job. The hood was all clean and the rest of the truck was nasty as ever. Anyways, expansion valves cost about $25 to $75 depending on what kind of discount you can get. The one under the sleeper is a pain to change but charging you for 3 hours labor ??? $325 ?? is too much. I was told once that any time a compressor goes bad always be sure to replace the expansion valves along with the drier because when a compressor goes it blows trash all through the system which will clog up the exp valaves and cause your ac to freeze up. Replace all that and blow the lines out then be sure the system is hooked to a machine and a proper evac/recharge is done to remove any moisture. Until I find a shade treer locally who can do this I found a shop at the Pilot in Franklin Kentucky, the one with the mcdonald's, that has a shop who will only charge $100 to do an evac/recharge. If your system is low of freon they will charge a little extra for that. Most dealers, T/A's, Petros charge $250+ for an evac/recharge.

 

Niiiiiiiiice

 

what part of TN are you in? I do a little side work when I can!

 

Welcome to the joys of owning a KW. They are proud of their parts. But volvo is prouder, just saying

 

I've had no trouble from the KW dealers in Dallas, Dodge City, and Greensboro. Freightliner is a different story, but if you need help at the Freightliner in Greensboro let me know, I know the service manager.

 

Sounds a lot like CIT KW down here in IL. Once in a while they do a good job, but lately I've been screwed over royally to the tune of $85/hour. I feel your pain, been there. You can buy the common parts elsewhere, but for the KW specific stuff, they've got you over a barrell and they know it. Find an independent shop you can trust. Easier said than done.....