Need Car A/C mechanic near Cabarete Center

Man?el

Member
Jul 22, 2012
222
8
18
I have an A/C leak, refilled in March for 400 pesos at David's tire shop, now August and it's out again.
Is the one close to Esso still ok? It'd be nice if it's walkable distance from center.
Or can it be fixed while I wait?

I can also bring it to Torfilco in PP if they do A/C work? That way, could wait out at la Sirena but it has to be fixed the same day.
 

the gorgon

Platinum
Sep 16, 2010
33,997
83
0
I have an A/C leak, refilled in March for 400 pesos at David's tire shop, now August and it's out again.
Is the one close to Esso still ok? It'd be nice if it's walkable distance from center.
Or can it be fixed while I wait?

I can also bring it to Torfilco in PP if they do A/C work? That way, could wait out at la Sirena but it has to be fixed the same day.

it depends upon what is leaking. sometimes it is a hose, and you might have to have one fabricated if there is no ready made version available. your wait will depend upon the problem.
 

windeguy

Platinum
Jul 10, 2004
42,211
5,966
113
You can try Konstantin Baldine. He is a mechanic located on the way into Sosua Ocean Village. The entrance to his garage is just before the tennis courts. He has an electronic "sniffer" to find the source of the leak.
 

Man?el

Member
Jul 22, 2012
222
8
18
it depends upon what is leaking. sometimes it is a hose, and you might have to have one fabricated if there is no ready made version available. your wait will depend upon the problem.

True, can always get it done in more than one trip, that's why it's best to get it done near the center of Cab.
 

the gorgon

Platinum
Sep 16, 2010
33,997
83
0
You can try Konstantin Baldine. He is a mechanic located on the way into Sosua Ocean Village. The entrance to his garage is just before the tennis courts. He has an electronic "sniffer" to find the source of the leak.

electronic sniffer..technology has come so far. in the bad old days we used to just put dye in the system and fire it up, and shine a uv light to detect the leak.
 
Apr 7, 2014
2,293
2
0
it depends upon what is leaking. sometimes it is a hose, and you might have to have one fabricated if there is no ready made version available. your wait will depend upon the problem.

In most cases the hoses remain firm BUT the O-rings fail. R134a is an inferior refrigerant but DuPont held the patent and it was easy to use in existing system when a replacement was needed.

Some cars have faulty components apart from hoses that are the cause of leaks, the evaporator maybe leaking and you would smell the refrigerant inside the car.

Then you have cars with collision damage that have compromised AC integrity.

Most likely O-ring failure but if they have to be replaced you must use vinyl nitrile(green) or neoprene(blue), black(rubber) O-rings wont work with R134a and will leak out post haste.
 

wrecksum

Bronze
Sep 27, 2010
2,063
96
48
There used to be two brothers operating from a small garage on the right on the way to cab just after The Rosa supermarket.

It looks messy but they have always done a good job for me.I have one car AC still working 2 years after the last repair there.
 

Man?el

Member
Jul 22, 2012
222
8
18
Went to El Mello, fixed it right away, just waited there. Changed all o-rings, one hose, cleaned up cabin evaporator, replaced filter. Had 3-4 guys working on it at times (took apart dash and center console.

They are now located in front of the ayutamiento. Lots of cars there, more than David's Tire Shop. They fix AC but also alternator and other things. Quite crafty and good with tools. I can't comment on how long their repairs last but they aren't opposed to install parts previously bought somewhere (to get quality parts).

They aren't walking distance from the center (across from Nino the car body shop) but quite close.
 

beeza

Silver
Nov 2, 2006
3,480
732
113
Went to El Mello, fixed it right away, just waited there. Changed all o-rings, one hose, cleaned up cabin evaporator, replaced filter. Had 3-4 guys working on it at times (took apart dash and center console.

They are now located in front of the ayutamiento. Lots of cars there, more than David's Tire Shop. They fix AC but also alternator and other things. Quite crafty and good with tools. I can't comment on how long their repairs last but they aren't opposed to install parts previously bought somewhere (to get quality parts).

They aren't walking distance from the center (across from Nino the car body shop) but quite close.

I've used Mello a few times. They're quite good with vehicle A/C.
 

Man?el

Member
Jul 22, 2012
222
8
18
One o-ring failed after only 1-month, they wanted 1,500 to cover the cost of parts (refrigerant), told them that was crazy and that I paid without discussing the first time, should be covered under "warranty." They were fine with a 1,000. Just thought I'd update.