Help Me Please re AC REPAIRS to 91 Audi Cpe Quattro

[Fred Munro]

Hi Richard;

"Compressor did not kick on" sounds to me like "compressor clutch did not
engage", which means you may need a new clutch, not a new compressor -
providing they have done the troubleshooting right.
If the compressor is seized and the clutch engages, there is usually lots of
screaming and blue smoke from the drive belt...then you do need a new
compressor.
I had to replace the compressor on my '91 200q, but it was due to leaks, not
mechanical difficulties.
Maybe you should try another shop.

Fred Munro
'94 S4  110k km

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brown, Richard D" <rbrown at amfam.com>
To: <iduff at charter.com>
Cc: <quattro at audifans.com>; <nivi at aol.com>
Sent: Monday, August 28, 2000 2:08 PM
Subject: Help Me Please re AC REPAIRS to 91 Audi Cpe Quattro


> Help me please:
>
> My experience is similar to Nivi at aol.com. At the end of last summer, I had
> the freon charged on the Coupe, and this year, no AC.  Per the dealer,
> they've now quoted me total replacement of the AC Compressor, et al, and
> total projected quote exceeds $1500.  In essence, they claim the
compressor
> needs to be replaced, and though it has always generated a rather noisy
> system when "on" for AC/Heating, I am wondering whether there's a more
> simple solution. The quote from the local dealer indicates that the repair
> technician "checked the freon level and pressures [were] ok, compressor
will
> not kick on, bypassed switch and wired direct and did not kick on. Need to
> replace compressor, ...."
>
> Reaction/suggestions/solutions please help
> Thanks for any advice anyone can give me.  rb
> rbrown at amfam.com
>
>
> Dorab, my A/C leaked all its juice out, yielding a hot summer ride. I
> took it to a local A/C shop, had them evacuate the system (like it
> needed it!) and locate the leaks, cost $45. They were in the condenser.
> On Bob D'Amato's recommendation, I pulled the condenser, which is an
> aluminum Modine unit, and took it to a local radiator shop. They welded
> the leaks and painted it, cost $30. I put the condenser back in, took my
> CQ back to the first shop, who put in some R12 lubricant and charged the
> system, cost $135. Much cheaper than the hosing the dealer is proposing
> for you. It took me a week, what with three trips to local shops, and
> half an hour to remove the condenser, and half an hour to re-install it.
> Total cost $210, plus an hour of my labor and a week chasing stuff.
>
> My bomb is making signs (brake warning light takes 15-20 seconds to go
> out when I start my CQ, and comes on briefly while driving if I jump on
> the brakes) of wanting replacement, which I have been putting off. I am
> going to try Blaufergnugen (sp?) and Linda for a replacement.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> -
> Ian Duff, 1990 Coupe quattro 20v, Red/Black
> quattro Owners Club member P877
>
> Home: New Bedford, MA, USA
> Work: Charter Systems, Inc., West Newton, MA, USA
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> -
>
> >----------
> >From:  Nivi at aol.com[SMTP:Nivi at aol.com]
> >Sent:  Monday, 21 October, 1996 10:48 PM
> >To:  quattro at coimbra.ans.net
> >Subject:  Coupe Repairs...
> >
> ><<snippage>>
> >
> >I just *forced* my Audi dealership service department to give me an
> estimate
> >on my airconditioning system, which had been leaking during the last four
> >months, but I decided to hold off repairing it. They came back with an
> >estimate for a hydroulic pump and a hydroulic accumulator as well as a
> >"ignition system". I had taken the car in earlier the day before to check
a
> >knocking sound coming from the front of the block, and took a ride with
the
> >mechanic. He said that there really wasn't anything wrong, and that I
> should
> >just wait until the parts break down...*but*, that's not what the
"service
> >representative" said! Check this out:
> ><<more snippage, Audi dealer with a cranial-rectal transplant>>
> >Then I asked, "is any of this really necessary?", he replied "well, if
you
> >want your car
> >to perform as it should..."      What balls! I was *told* that it wasn't
> >necessary, and this
> >******** tries to get me to replace shit that I don't really need - I
need
> an
> >airconditioning system to defog the car now!
> ><<more snippage>>
> >I *will* keep you guys up to date on how this dealership is diagnosing
> >problems, and I'm *not* paying $ 70/hour for bull***t! I can go to
another
> >one, bring my own parts, and pay only $ 56/hour, but I prefer the
mechanic
> at
> >the dealership I have been using - he knows his stuff! I won't disclose
the
> >name of the place right now, but later, when I have verified everything.
> >
> >Any of you coupe owners replaced the hydroulic pump yet?? Bet that you
> >haven't!! I know that the "bombs" go after a while....and can anyone
verify
> >that the accumulator is the "bomb"? Or, do I have to *add* to my grand
> total
> >of $ 1,878.50??
> >
> >BTW, the total quote for an a/c condensor, compressor, charge, labor and
> >freon is..... (hold your breath!)....$ 1,800.95!! (I *don't* mind paying
> the
> >$ 70.00 labor if things are done right!!)
> >
> >TIA everyone,
> >
> >Dorab (Nivi at aol.com)
> >1993 S4
> >1990 CoupeQ
> >1986 Chevy Caprice
> >
>
>
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