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Post by Isnibs on Sept 1, 2004 18:55:09 GMT -6
Two days ago my A/C stopped working. I left the heating/AC turned off until I can get the refrigerant pressure checked.
Today when I started the engine there is a screeching sound like an un lubricated pulley down in the driving belt area.
Any ideas or help would be apprenticed.
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Post by Marc on Sept 1, 2004 19:03:09 GMT -6
My guess is that either the compressor or its clutch is bad....they may have seized internally. _______________ GM!!! BRING BACK OLDS!!!  |
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Post by JimW on Sept 1, 2004 21:12:42 GMT -6
That sounds right, dred98 is yer man on this one, I think he had the same thing happen  |
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dred98
Aurora Driver
Posts: 470 
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Post by dred98 on Sept 1, 2004 21:31:24 GMT -6
Don't remind me - I had to go back to the dealer several times before it was fixed. First time around they replaced the compressor, the old one had "grenaded" and there were bits of metal all through the system. It worked for about 3 days and then quit. The second time I went in they said the compressor was still OK but there was a leak in a couple of the tubes, so I had them replaced. This time it worked for nearly a week. I took it back again and they said a pressure sensor wasn't working right, they cleaned it and it worked this time for about 3 weeks before it quit. (I'm on first name terms with most of the service reps and the service manager by now, and they gave me a really cool loaner.) This time they replaced some seals and the accumulator. It's been working for about two weeks so far. This sounds like I'm complaining, but not really, they haven't charged me any labour since the first trip in and the smaller parts have been n/c too. Anyway, to get back to your problem, apparently Aurora A/C compressors have a fairly short life and a nasty habit of imploding, so you may be looking at big bux, hopefully you can find a good dealer or A/C shop that will look after you. I'm not sure I'd want to replace any of this stuff myself, unless you really know what your doing. That feels better  |
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Post by Isnibs on Sept 2, 2004 17:33:50 GMT -6
Thanks for the info and it's good to vent, dred98.
Anyone know of a shortened drive belt that would exclude the compressor?
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Post by Isnibs on Sept 19, 2004 7:26:22 GMT -6
It looks like i'm up for the same repair as you dred98
Can you tell me how much it cost to repair please as I may have to sell one of my kids to pay for it. ;D
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dred98
Aurora Driver
Posts: 470
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Post by dred98 on Sept 19, 2004 7:48:20 GMT -6
It looks like i'm up for the same repair as you dred98 Can you tell me how much it cost to repair please as I may have to sell one of my kids to pay for it. ;D I went to the local Cadillac/Olds/Chev dealer for this - mostly because they still sell Caddies so they know what a Northstar is when they see one, and also because they didn't rush to take down the Oldsmobile signs like the dealer I bought it from. Altogether it must have added up to close to $2,000 - but that was because they had to replace more than the compressor. The compressor and a couple of doodads they replaced first time around was about $1500 including freon and labour charges ($85 per hour) and 15% tax of course! I'm told by people that claim to know these things that's a reasonable price for most cars. After that I needed some extra lines and the accumulator and other stuff. Apparently when you fix part of an A/C system it puts more pressure on the rest of the system and anything that's borderline may be pushed over the edge. I don't know for sure whether that's true or not. It's working great now so should be OK for a while (I hope) Good luck. How many kids do you have, do you think you'll miss just one of them?  |
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Post by Isnibs on Sept 19, 2004 8:07:00 GMT -6
I have seven and $1500 to $2000 outlay is a little high right now. I will have to try for a shortened drive belt to exclude the A/C compressor for now.  |
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Post by Letitroll98 on Sept 19, 2004 15:16:23 GMT -6
You should sell the youngest kid as you have the least investment in that one. Also will probably have the highest resale value as the youngest will have the most miles still left in 'em and you've had less time to screw him/her up.
One must look at these decisions logically and without emotion. Much like the ownership of an Aurora.
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Post by Isnibs on Sept 19, 2004 20:15:14 GMT -6
Your right the youngest it is then. And on a totally un-connected subject I got an estimate for the complete A/C replacement 1500$ Can. She goes in on Tuesday.  |
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Post by erw38 on Sept 19, 2004 20:19:55 GMT -6
So, how much did you get for your kid? Or did you do what a good father would have done and take out a small loan?
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Post by Isnibs on Sept 19, 2004 20:24:00 GMT -6
Little Tommy .. little Tommy who
Yup you got me, but in my case it was a big loan.
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Post by kobalt on Sept 20, 2004 15:56:56 GMT -6
Dropping 2G's on AC? You guys are nuts! Go to car-part.com, get a used compressor for ~$200 or so, put it in yourself and have it your system filled at a local mechanic's for ~$50-100. You save almost ten-fold for 2 hours of work with simple tools.
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dred98
Aurora Driver
Posts: 470
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Post by dred98 on Sept 20, 2004 16:31:23 GMT -6
Dropping 2G's on AC? You guys are nuts! Go to car-part.com, get a used compressor for ~$200 or so, put it in yourself and have it your system filled at a local mechanic's for ~$50-100. You save almost ten-fold for 2 hours of work with simple tools. Gee, thanks for the words of encouragement. If you read my posts you'll see that I needed a lot more than a compressor and it took a lot more than a couple of hours. |
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Post by kobalt on Sept 20, 2004 22:29:39 GMT -6
I simply wanted to point out that sometimes DIY might be the way to go. A good fiend of mine got screwed for about $2000 for a simple AC repair and perhaps I reacted a bit harshly. No offense of any kind was meant - I apologise if I upset you.
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Post by Isnibs on Sept 21, 2004 17:37:46 GMT -6
I just got back from the repair shop
Complete A/C change, with all the bits.
They also installed a belt tensioner and pulley, an idler pulley and drive belt that I supplied.
$1619 Can. Total
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Post by Isnibs on Sept 21, 2004 19:39:07 GMT -6
I went out for a celebratory, fully air conditioned ride strutting my Aurora, during which I may have floored it a couple of times.
any who, when I parked up there was some smoke that smelt like burned oil coming from under the hood.
This is normal .........Right (fingers crossed)
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Post by kobalt on Sept 21, 2004 19:58:13 GMT -6
You probably smelled burnt rubber from when you floored it - and yeah, it's normal ;D
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