Rebuilt A/C compressor warranty woes

[Christopher Ritchie]

I just got an update from the mechanic: he =
>was
>able to convince the supplier to replace the compressor under warranty,
>tho=
>ugh
>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
>t=
>he
>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
>th=
>at
>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
>fr=
>om
>the dying compressor?


Every rebuilder of compressors requires that the system be flushed and the
receiver/dryer replaced in order for the warranty to be valid.  This is also
good and accepted practice.  I was reading from a trade publication or on a
rebuilder's site that they find 90% of their warranty-returned compressors
failed due to foreign material lodged in them.  Whether this is true or not,
it does indicate their feelings towards warranty replacements of failed
rebuilt compressors.  I suspect it's true.

I think you got a deal.  Grab it.  Your mechanic stuck up for you.  He was
able to get most of the cost of this repair covered by somebody else.  I'm
not sure, but I believe when they recover the refrigerant, they can filter
and reuse it.  But they may not want to.  Remember this is the same
refrigerant that caused your compressor to fail.  I assume they are
recovering the refrigerant.  They may be throwing it away.

Why don't you take this opportunity to convert to R-134a?  You'll be doing
most of the work and replacing the parts anyway.  You'll be giving your
mechanic some more work, which might make him more amenable in negotiations.
  Of course, he may also use that as his opportunity to "get well" on this
repair.

I think you've got a good mechanic.  They are treasures.  I'd work with him.

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