I decided to have the A/C unit on my Ford Edge checked on Thursday, 17 Apr 2025, they stated the compressor was bad and needed replacing, I agreed, thinking they would repair it and have it blowing some cold air soon. Boy, was I wrong, after dropping my vehicle off, they checked it out, made their recommendations, I agreed, and the next day the vehicle was ready.
My wife and I picked up our grandkids, ran a few errands, and then went to pick up (PU) our vehicle. I went to the counter, the window was closed because of the time, paid my bill, got my key, went to my vehicle, started it up, turned the A/C on, waited a few minutes, then headed around the Auto Skills Center, and the A/C units which would usually be blowing some cool to cold air by now, was blowing warm air. I drove back around the building, parked in the same spot I picked the vehicle up from and went back to the counter, told him of my issue and asked if a manager was available. Since I knew the place well, I went to the Manager's Office, he was on the phone, I waited till he had hung up the phone and explained my concern with the vehicle that was "supposedly repaired."
We both went out to my vehicle, he asked the representative behind the counter to find one of the technicians, as we arrived at my vehicle, the manager started up the vehicle and felt for himself how warm the air was being blown by the A/C unit. After checking the a/c inside, he turned off the vehicle and opened the hood. Along with the technician, the manager started pointing out issues that should have been addressed while repairing/replacing the a/c compressor. I was asked to leave my vehicle another day which ended up with me having to change my weekend plans, that is, since they ended up keeping my vehicle all weekend, I had to pick it up on Monday, 21 Apr 25. I couldn't get there until later in the day. Once I got my key, I got in my vehicle, turned the a/c Fort Mitchell, during my ten-mile drive, the vehicle never blew any cold air, the air coming out of the driver side vents could Barely be called "Cool Air." The passenger side air was a little cooler than the driver's side, it couldn't be called cold by any means.
The Bright Spot at the Auto Skills Center is the Manager, I found him to be very Professional and Knowledgeable of the skill sets required for his position, I would give him a five-star review.
After a couple weeks, I set up an appointment with Rivertown Ford in Columbus Georgia, they checked the system out, performed an Evac and Recharge of the a/c system. They found the system was ~1.35lbs of refrigerant , they charged the system to capacity of 1.50 lbs, system was now blowing below 50 deg. F., no leaks were found.
Since, I was told the compressor had to be replaced and I agreed to it over the phone, I NEVER saw, nor, was I told that the Fort Benning Auto Skills Center service (DOES NOT Include A/C System Recover, Evacuate, and/or Recharge.)
With this being said, I would Highly Recommend Not Using the Fort Benning Auto Skills Center for any Automotive Work without you knowing the details of what they are performing/what is Required. read more
