What is up with Parts Stores - More time chasing parts than doing the work

[Racerock]

Chasing Parts - 16 hours
Turning Wrenches - 12 hours

Note, the above time is for discussion purposes.

Well, the evaporator on a Chrysler T&C went up (see another thread under episodes for a real cool UV Light). Now, if you have ever thought about getting the evaporator out, it is not that easy. (Actually, it was a lot easier than initially estimated). The books say about 6 hours, you have to take all of the dash out, including the metal structure to get the air handler box out that includes the heater core and the evaporator.

Well, while I was in there figured that a new heater core was a good idea, and oh by the way the muffler just started to open up (not bad for 160,000 miles, huh?), and the rear heat lines are starting to rust yet again. Figured I'd change them to heater hose instead of paying $150 ish for the third time for powder coated steel ones from Chrysler. Oh yeah, and while the dash is apart, clean the buttons again because they are acting up again.

Well, let me tell you what, I spent more time on the phone, and running around on parts than I actually did turning wrenches. I wanted to save a few bucks on parts, so I went to the "Zone". Ended up going to three zones (one twice for a part that was in my hand, but turned down initially), Pep Boys, Chrysler, Home Depot (to get material to make muffler hanger bolt spacers since the Chrysler dealer did NOT have the ones that the guy said he had after driving throught an incredible backup for a funeral for a Toll Facility Officer (what a sad story on this one) that I did not know about, but the guy did, and did not tell me, even though they had a big sign on their bulletin board behind the desk about it, and telling them to warn customers about it - I said they owed me a six pack). Bottom line was that I was tired of getting to know their inventory so well.

The worst was when a brand new heater core at "autozone was opened. The box was sealed, opened for the first time, and the core looked like it had been in a car for years. Rust on the bracket, on the core, etc. I went elsewhere. Another sad thing was the evaporators. You would think they would put some decent padding in the boxes, it is not like they are cheap, or durable...

Now, I usually go to NAPA, and another parts house, but their cores were the same brand amazingly.

Anyways, I think I went to a total of 8 places.

The best place for service is a local muffler shop that has done some piece part work for me in the past. He saved the rear resonator/pipe assembly. It is great to have these guys around. Made a little piece ($10) so that I could save the factory resonator/pipe assy (made of mild SS). He agreed that he would have reused it. Nice to have some good old boys around.

Bottom line is that I did about $2,000 in work for a little over $200 in parts. If you add my gas, shop materials, etc, make it $250. I know, I know, my time would have been over $2,000, but I was not in a real hurry. Not to talk myself up, but it would have made a good episode:

-A/C diagnostics/repair
-Improving Factory Systems on a Budget
-Saving your exhaust for minimal bucks (It only cost me $50 including the muffler clamps and the muffler is lifetime warranted).

[towtrucks]

There are at least 2 places around here that specialize in heat and A/C parts.
I'm sure the same for your area, you just hafta know who or where to go, and places like the "zone" or napa is not going to send you elsewhere.......

[Racerock]

Yes, I know. Actually I just got off the phone with a greatradiator/AC guy in Glen Burnie and the condensor that I may need is only $144, available same day, made by Modine. I say "may" because there was some UV dye on the condensor fins, but cleaned it up to see if it was older and perhaps dropped in previous diagnostics work (hoping). The evaporator was running all the way up to $300 depending on the source, and I was pretty particular about having the original type of core. That, and I only wanted to spend the $135 that the zone had them for.

Yes, some was self inflicted, but the bottom line is that the parts I was seeking were stocked parts, the places had them supposedly, but they either could not find them, or the parts were junk. And I needed multiple stuff, down to specialized bolts for the factory exhaust hanger (it is like a shelf for the muffler with rubber hangers on the sides - pretty cool actually).

Again, I typically use jobber type of sources, and I have been having some great luck with the zone lately on some more common parts.