Ugh

[dancerjodi]

My car started having AC problems (blowing air, but not cooling it). Around the same time I started noticing the car trying to overheat (though no fluid leaking, spewing, etc).

After an expensive diagnostic test ($180) (draining fluid, putting in dye) they've found:
-I need a new cooling fan (hence the overheating issues), $200
-I have a leak in my condenser $62
-I need a NEW FRICKEN COMPRESSOR for $925 (incls parts and labor)

Needless to say since this will be my last summer with this car I'm not paying a grand to fix the AC. They'll replace the cooling fan though, and I won't have the engine overheat on me at least. I swear, the car is mad at me for talking so much lately how I'm going to replace it and that's why the huge problem.

Blech! There is nothing I hate more than sweating in my car. On the beach I can deal with, out doing yard work I can deal with. Dancing I can deal with. But going from point A to point B just serves to annoy me, make me crabby, and make me feel all gross.

Ah well, at least I have a car that runs reliably :) And I shall savor that ride back to Natick in the loaner . . .

Comments

[tiamatlady]

Sweet Jeebus!
I never had any problems with my A/C Ouchies! I'll have to continue to offer blood sacrifice to the A/C Car gods, I can't afford that! Especially seeing as my warranty is about to expire!

I very rarely put my A/C on, perhaps that's the rub. I like having the windows open, even if it gets a bit humid in the car. But it's a bummer to want it and not have it!

I want to go test driving VUEs with you when you go looking!

AC probs

[dancer.livejournal.com]

"I never had any problems with my A/C Ouchies!"

Well keep in mind, its got 127k miles and its only a 2000. I do take care of the regular maintanence stuff, but it still take a beating. :)

I'm telling you, with this GM 'you pay the employee discount price' deal I've been wracking my brain to see how to make it work. Given the condition/mileage of my car my guess is that I'd only get about $2k for trade in value. I still owe on the thing (I'll have to check tonight to see how much). Ideally I'd have $ to put down on a new one over and above fees, taxes, etc.

Ah well, it will all work out. In the meantime I'll be a bit sweaty and smelly :/

Re: AC probs

[tiamatlady]

That's true.
But I'm thinking of both the boys. The 96 never even hiccupped with with A/C, even after 200,000 miles.
HOWEVER - that said, I'd TRADE some of the problems I had with him for A/C problems. *sighs*

Given your credit you might qualify for rebates above and beyond - It MIGHT be worth it to chat with a salesman, see what your options are, if you were thinking about taking advantage of the sale. They might be desperate enough this week to give you a really sweet deal (I'm hearing the sale is lasting through August 1)

[maraskywalker.livejournal.com]

I had the exact same thing happen to my Ford Taurus a couple years ago. Then I bought the Sante Fe and thought I was safe, but it's having break problems. Plus it guzzles gas. I need to get a regular car, not an SUV (even though I love my Santa Fe ::sniff::) so I can save money. I hate money.
But the prospect of a different car intrigues me. . .
Have fun in the loaner while you can.
Oh, and I almost forgot - my name is spelled with an "e". Jessie. People spell it all sorts of ways and I don't really mind, but that's the way it's spelled for me. :)

[alabastard.livejournal.com]

owowow, not the summer for that to happen.

I remember my brightest idea, saving by getting a black car with no AC my first year here, thinking that it's the northeast, it will not be so hot. I spent the summer commuting around with a wet towel around my neck and a hat I kept in the refrigerator...

[brigantia-65.livejournal.com]

Yikes!

This is the first car I've had with A/C that works (knock on wood) but I don't use it as much as I could be. Like you I HATE "car sweat" and most of our fleet cars at work...stupid 2000 Tauruses bought with DOJ grant money and all lemonish...are all losing their A/C now and it takes around 2 weeks at the least for fleet maintainance to repaired them. Municipal employees. Grrrrrr.

[andrewfeland.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we've had problems with both Tauruses--AC, power steering pump, et cetera. Personally, I'd recommend looking at Toyota. My first car was a Corolla--we bought it used with 150k miles on it, drove it until it had 275k miles on it, and sold it. And not for parts, either.

I'm borrowing a Corolla from a friend while we figure out how to EOL our last Taurus. It's got 89k miles on it, and still drives smoother than the Ford did on the first day we got it.

I haven't had much luck with GM, either, but most of the Chrysler products I've had have held together pretty well. They're also offering an employee-level discount program.

Good luck, and stay cool!