Yesterday evening I started doing some research on A/C compressor
replacement on the Durango.  It has been getting very hot here in MD the
past few days.

All is still working right now, but apparently my wife told me that at one
point yesterday, the A/C stopped working and there was smoke coming from
the engine area.  I checked it later and didn't see any problems and all is
working again.  What I think happened, was the compressor seized and the
belt started smoking.  

She turned the A/C off at that point, which probably saved the belt.  I
didn't see a think wrong with it when I looked at it - and it isn't making
any strange noises or anything.

At any rate, I did find that I can buy the same compressor on Amazon for
around $200-$230.  In addition, I would need to buy a vacuum pump with the
A/C hoses to be able to evacuate the system.  Will try and buy an old
canister of R134a to put the stuff in and then use it to refill it again.  

The removal of the compressor doesn't appear to be too much trouble, but
the evacuation is something I have never done before.  There are YouTube
videos on it, so I should be able to follow the directions.

If I do the job, it should cost more than $400 (including the vacuum pump,
hoses, etc I would have to buy).  If I take it somewhere, I would estimate
$600-$800 for the job.

- Mark
  
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