[V8] Losing faith, or A/C compressor hunt...the saga continues

Sat Jun 29 07:44:08 PDT 2013

There are 3 different compressors for the V8 that I know of.

The later compressor is a zexel used with 134A systems on the 93-94 4.2
V8. I believe this is also very similar to the compressor used in the
S4/S6 of the same vintage.

There is an early compressor and a late compressor for the 90-92 cars. The
difference is the mounts. I do know one of those compressors is the same
as an Audi 5000 minus the manifold on the top (which is available
separatley). About 15 years ago I found a low mileage V8 (~12,000) miles
and put that compressor on my 5000 with the 5000 clutch and manifold.

These compressors are a Nippondenso NP17C. Aside from the manifold and the
clutch it's a very common compressor.

Scott

On Sat, June 29, 2013 8:34 am, Roger M. Woodbury wrote:
> Well, the hunt continues. The used a/c compressor we thought we had from
> Force 5 ended up not materializing after all.  They are now hunting, too,
> but in the end, I suspect I’ll find a used compressor elsewhere, tie the
> car back together and bring it home.  It may or may not work well, but if
> it isn’t working I’ll drive the car without when I can, and park it when I
> can’t.
>
> THEN, I’ll start doing some research into alternative a/c systems.  As has
> been pointed out there are places advertising on line that do conversions
> and new installations for cars that are either too old to have A/C or have
> other problems. I really like the idea of changing to a modern compressor
> IF it can be done for relatively low dollars in comparison to buying a nos
> Audi compressor for large dollars.  The IDEA of spending eleven or twelve
> large for a compressor that ought to cost three hundred bucks at the most,
> is offensive, so I intend to buy some time to figure out what else to do.
>
> I have made a commitment to my V8.  It cost $6500 five years ago, and has
> cost me relatively little...and zero for failure of bits and pieces.  The
> money I have spent was all spent for regular maintenance items that would
> need to be done on any car that is approaching 100,000 miles.  Last summer
> the a/c drier was replaced and the system converted to new stuff.  The
> system worked extremely well right up to the point that I noticed white
> smoke coming from beneath the hood.  That smoke was the clutch frying and
> along with it the front plasticy parts of the compressor...technically, I
> think the compressor bearing failed but either way, the only fix is to
> replace the compressor. We tried to get the bearing and just run with the
> a/c off for now, but the bearing sent was not the right one, so it appears
> that in at least one parts house I could name,  no one is doing their job
> properly any more.
>
> The biggest problem is that no matter who you are speaking with...audi
> dealer or monkeyladpartsguy...they mostly were born after the V8
> production stopped, have never seen one, and can’t imagine what it is that
> you are talking about.  Once you get through to them that it is an V8 and
> not an A6-V8, or A8 or a BMW, then they fumble around until they find some
> part number that might work. Of course Audi didn’t make it easy back in
> the day because they used several different compressors with different
> parts numbers and even suffixes on the parts themselves, I think just to
> confuse us stubborn people who see no good reason for fork over more than
> I paid for my first house to buy something new with four rings on the
> grille.
>
> My compressor has holes in the top.  The most commonly available used
> compressors appear to have holes in the side. The two t ypes are not
> exchangable.  Since Audi used that lovely great long accessory belt, you
> gotta replace the compressor with something that will mate with the
> belt....so that’s just the way it is.
>
> Now, if I was driving fifty miles per day each way to work in LA style
> traffic, this would be serious.  Of course, if I was doing that I’d
> already have been driven around the bend and have bought something made in
> Japan that gets fifty miles per gallon and I wouldn’t be concerned with
> Audi parts at all.  But I live in Maine and often don’t drive at all on
> any given day, so the V8 can be a main driver AND indulgence at the same
> time.  And I see no reason why the car won’t soldier on in great shape for
> another 100k, once I get past this little hump.
>
> The comments made about me not being a DIYer are correct.  I have done ALL
> the automotive wrenching I care to do, long in the past.  The mechanic I
> use I’ve been using for all my vehicles for fifteen years.  It’s a small
> shop by urban standards, I suppose...three lifts and three mechanics plus
> John.  But he’s got all the equipment, computer gizzies and spends a small
> fortune annually on computer updates and SASEtraining programs, so I know
> he is “current.”  More importantly, he likes the same kinds of cars that I
> do, and that counts for a whole lot.  I once stopped in to a shop where
> the first thing the guy said to me was, “I’ve never liked Audis.....”.  I
> didn’t stand there very long.
>
> Meanwhile I am planning on the next big deal for my wife’s 100CS Quattro
> Avant. That car has passed 180,000 miles and we all know what that means.
> That car had a new thermostat not long ago as a part of a heater core
> replacement, and I know the condition of the timing belt, but that job
> will get done probably in October or November when the car gets its next
> oil change.  Of more worry is a leaking transfer case seal which requires
> checking the transfer case oil level about every fifteen hundred miles.  I
> do NOT want to do that job right away because it is a whole lot of labor
> for a teeny cheap little part.  But eventually it will be done as slowly
> we seek out and eliminate all the little leaks these cars all seem to love
> to develop as miles accrue.
>
> Speaking of the Avant, I have John’s loaner car right now.  It is a 2000
> Volvo V70 wagon (I think the year is right, although it might be older).
> 200,000 plus miles. Everything works on the car...it just has a lot of
> miles....good loaner actually. But on Thursday we drove to Bangor which is
> 100 miles round trip, and of course, we took the Audi wagon.  considering
> the cars have similar mileage totals, I can emphatically state the Volvo
> is NO way close to the Audi on any basis, except perhaps for interior
> room.  It’s a nice enough station wagon, I suppose, but it is definitely a
> whole league below the Audi.
>
> Roger
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-- 
Thanks!
Scott DeWitt
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