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2001 LW200 Manual, No A/C
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#11
 
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Re: 2001 LW200 Manual, No A/C -
02-27-2008
, 09:27 PM
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Me personally, I would never use a salvaged compressor. The labor involved with evacuating the system and replacing the compressor will far exceed the price of the part, and a used one may fail prematurely requiring you to go through this again (very soon). I have had pretty good luck with purchasing compressors over the Internet for this purpose. You can look on Ebay, and also at several of the online auto parts places to get an idea of the cost. You should be able to find a new compressor for a few hundred dollars or rebuilt ones for even less than that. I'd also have who ever does the work replace the accumulator/dryer too while the system is opened, especially if you plan to keep the vehicle for a few more years. More than likely the A/C belt is also shot if the bearings were worn out and froze up, so will need replacement. This all said, unless the compressor or dryer are particularly difficult to get at on that vehicle , the job is not too terribly difficult for a shop that has some experience and the right equipment. It involves reclaiming the refrigerant, removing the compressor and dryer, flushing the lines to make sure there is no debris from the defective compressor, installing the replacement parts, and then evacuating the system overnight to make sure it is not leaking before refilling it with the correct amount of refrigerant and lubricant. Use the phone to shop around and do not accept the first quote you received from the dealer. Just make sure you are comparing apples to apples (new vs. rebuilt compressor, replacing the dryer or not, flushing the system or not). Good luck! Bob "Steph" <CUT_skipatrol (AT) hotmail (DOT) com_CUT> wrote in message news:Xns9A51A1CDB6097skipatroluunet (AT) 130 (DOT) 191.3.6... The verdict from the dealership is a bad compressor. He is quoting $1070.00 for parts and labor to install a new AC compressor shipped out from Tennessee. That does not include the refrigerant fill I believe. The tech also listed the Intermediate Steering Shaft as needing replacement ($266 P&L). For the A/C, does anyone have a part number for the compressor, and is it worth trying to get a used one from a salvage yard? This is a LW200 with the 4 cylinder (not the V6). Are the compressors "rebuildable"? Also I have a paper trail of complaints about the AC compressor making loud noices when engaging (during intial startup as well as driving). I really believe those noises were indicative of an impending failure - which of course happens outside the extended maintenance period. Anyone have a contact name/address that I should see about meeting me halfway on the repair? Anyone had any luck doing this? We have had Saturns since 1994, and this is our fourth. Plus three on my in-laws side. but we had a lot of trouble getting repair issues resolved on this vehicle (the L200 with manual and 4-cylinder is a pretty rare combination out here). The steering shaft I am wondering if it is a common part to replace, or maybe the result of damage from the car being hurtled 10 feet up a hill by our neighbor (car was parked with e-brake and in gear on the hill at the time). Unfortunately, if it was a result of the impact I don't think I can ammend the claim 10 months later  Steph <CUT_skipatrol (AT) hotmail (DOT) com_CUT> wrote in news:Xns9A48587A1598Bskipatroluunet (AT) 130 (DOT) 191.3.6: We wouldn't want to violate the speed of light or murphy's law. Our 2001 LW200 with a 5-speed manual tranny ran out of extended coverage last June and now is showing signs of semi-annual irritations. Some might recall me posting in August/September of it acting as if it were a flooded carbeurated engine. Well no matter that has only reoccurred once or twice, and I am 85% sure it is due to DW's driving. However, for years I complained to Saturn Service about the unsually loud "clunk" after initial engine starting. This was explained to me as a normal toggling of the A/C compressor to keep the parts lubricated. Whatever. But Saturday DW calls and says the A/C quit. When I checked the car I found that toggling the AC button, or switching to defrost did not suddenly load up the engine, raise the RPMs, or give off an audible clunk as the compressor engaged. Are there diagnostics I can run by toggling button combinations? Will anything show up with a scan reader? I was hoping maybe it is a fuse or solenoid - but where I have no idea. Woudl I be better tacking it Saturn, or an A/C shop? |
#12
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Thanks for the info Bob. I am not against turning wrenches, but have not yet done too many repairs on this model Saturn. Plus the fact the LW200 with a manual tranny is rare makes me think twice about any experience others might have. I plan to do this at either a reputable AC shop that I already am familiar with or the dealer (most likely the former), but as I am ignorant in regards to rebuilding, compatibility, etc I thought I would try here first. I will be on the phone, and if the AC shop will install a part I bring them I will truly shop around. However nothing sucks more than getting a part that doesn't fit - the M/S cylinder on my 1978 E-250 was different than any printed reference. It took three trips to get a unit that fit. In this case I am not against a rebuilt compressor, as we may not keep the car too many years more. But i am just trying to gather info at this point. |
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