[RE: Rebuilt A/C compressor warranty woes]

[Wallace White]

Hi, Fred. Thanks for the reply. I just got an update from the mechanic: he was
able to convince the supplier to replace the compressor under warranty, though
he said they wouldn't do so again without receipts for the R/D and orifice
tube. This time, those are getting replaced too.

Last hitch is that my mechanic hinted that he would charge me the cost of the
R12 charge... If anyone should pay for that, it's really the supplier of the
defective part. Failing them, I feel I should expect the mechanic to cover it.
He's not charging for labor and I do appreciate him going to bat with the
compressor supplier, but at the end of the day he bears responsibility for
this repair... Sometimes it's hard to argue even though there's no logic that
supports the other party's case. Does it really cost a shop very much to
recharge a car, when the system is presently full, though probably dirty from
the dying compressor?

Thanks,
Wallace
'87 5kcstq 190k

"Fred Munro" <munrof at sympatico.ca> wrote:
> 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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