If the mechanic is following a shop manual, he may be doing things that aren't strictly necessary. For example, the wife's 1990 Century 3.3 V-6 needed a starter replaced. Simple, I'll do it myself I said. Break out the factory shop manual and start reading the directions. Step 3 {or 4} paraphrased: Vacuum the AC system and remove the AC compressor.
I took it to my favorite mechanic and he changed it in short order, without removing the AC compressor.
The shop manual is written by the people who are charging you a lot of money on an hourly basis to repair your car. They may not always have
your best interests in mind.
