Rebuilt A/C compressor warranty woes

[Fred Munro]

Hi Wallace;

It's usually considered good practice to replace the dryer and orifice when
the compressor is replaced. You often don't know whether the old compressor
blew chunks, and these can collect in the dryer and be recycled into the new
compressor. A plugged orifice will keep the system from working properly, so
that is usually replaced as well.
They always don't have to be replaced, but if the new compressor fails
you'll always wonder whether it was something coming out of the old dryer.

Fred Munro
'94 S4


-----Original Message-----
From: quattro-admin at audifans.com [mailto:quattro-admin at audifans.com]On
Behalf Of Wallace White
Sent: September 9, 2002 4:41 PM
To: quattro at audifans.com
Subject: Rebuilt A/C compressor warranty woes


I could use some advice on dealing with a failed rebuilt A/C compressor on
my
5k.

A few months ago, it had suddenly become very noisy. I took it to the
neighborhood mechanic and got a good quote for $800 for the job, with a
rebuilt compressor, which I took. That did not include the receiver/dryer or
the orifice valve; I explained that I would be happy to pay for those, but
the
mechanic said they didn't need replacement since the system was still sealed
well and the compressor hadn't grenaded. (Another, recommended shop gave a
rough estimate of $1400, including new compressor and of course those
items.)

Almost immediately after replacement, the new compressor made a steady,
medium-pitch whirring noise. It peaked at about 1800 engine RPM. I took it
back and the mechanic said it seemed okay but to let him know if it
increased.
Also the A/C wasn't super-cool, but it never has been in my four years, even
with a fresh charge.

Recently, while driving all day in 100 °F heat, the A/C stopped blowing cool
at all. The next morning, it was making lots of noise (not a nice, orderly
whir) all the time; the head of the compressor, in front of the belt, was
spinning slowly even when the A/C was turned off.

The mechanic said "bad compressor" and agreed to replace it under warranty.
But now his distributor's warranty claim sheet requires receipts for the
receiver/dryer and orifice valve...

Is he right that those didn't _have_ to be replaced initially? If he does
get
the thing replaced under warranty now, had I better get those parts replaced
this time?

And yes, Steve Jensen, it's a Four Seizin' (nee "Four Seasons") compressor.
I
hate it when I ask for advice beforehand and then I don't follow it, 'cause
it's too expensive... durn. The mechanic agrees that I shouldn't have to pay
for a new compressor but he doesn't want to either and it could get
unpleasant
if the distributor won't warranty the part. I suppose I'd offer to pay
however
much it would've been to do it right the first time but he'd be on the hook
for the rest.

Thanks,
Wallace
'87 5kcstq 190k


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