As luck would have it...death of an air-con

[Seano]

Over the last twelve months there has been a series of little problems with my air-con. First the o-rings in the fire wall crapped out then (a couple of months later) the o-rings at the compressor did the same. Finally, after a very mild start to summer....the air-con quietly died again.

Except this time it snuffed it just prior to the longest heatwave this area has ever had the good fortune to experience. Thus far we've had maximum day temps over 42 since last Tuesday and they are expected to continue at least until Saturday.

What's worse is the manner of expiration. This time the compressor seals have failed. We know this because my air-con tech dude filled the system full of dye last time and now the compressor fluoresces beautifully under UV.

Given the fact that these are never cheap....I'm looking to minimise cost and maximise lifespan. So I'll probably go a new compressor.

Now, an uninformed hunt turned up the Sanden SD7V16 as the listed replacement at www.cooldrive.com.au



Both Heatcraft and Ashdown-Ingram also have this compressor.

The compilcation is that the unit on my 2001 T4 is a Sanden SD7H15 with a model no. 7986

Anyone got any clues as to who is what and how much in dollars I might be looking at?

[jets]

I phoned Cooldrive Distribution in Regency Park in Adelaide & Steve [the guy I spoke to] has your original SD7V15 model 7986 in stock. He offered it to me for cash & $590 + GST. The normal cash price is $800. If you approach your local guy, don't mention the price I have been quoted.
The other thing you should cosider is having a new seal fitted. They are normally sent away for this but I don't know who does it. I maybe able to find out though.

[Seano]

Thankyou Jets.........I'll let you know what the go is.....it was suggested to me by the local bloke on Friday that about $700 was likely. And your quote seems to hold true...

What do you think my chances are for a trade-in for the existing unit??

[Seano]

Well we ended up with a quote of $660 inc GST for the compressor....which is about line ball with Jets quote when you take freight into account. Add a couple of hours to fit it and I'm looking at no more than $850. The re-gas won't cost me anything because the system failure was within three months of the last re-gas....that's my air-con blokes policy....which is pretty good since the re-gas is worth $110.

Should be fixed on Monday.....by which time the heatwave is expected to be over.

[jets]

Should be fixed on Monday.....by which time the heatwave is expected to be over.

I have got a feeling this wont be the last heat wave this summer.
Pleased to hear you are on top of getting your AC fixed.

[WEDEL.1]

Well we ended up with a quote of $660 inc GST for the compressor....which is about line ball with Jets quote when you take freight into account. Add a couple of hours to fit it and I'm looking at no more than $850. The re-gas won't cost me anything because the system failure was within three months of the last re-gas....that's my air-con blokes policy....which is pretty good since the re-gas is worth $110.

Should be fixed on Monday.....by which time the heatwave is expected to be over.

I think you've done well. We were quoted over $1100 for the Mk III Golf compressor a couple of years ago.

Maris

[hoddy]

I've got a 1997 T4 syncro and my air con died on the way back from WA last year. Luckily I was just out of adelaide and not halfway across the nullabor!
The unit shat itself and I couldn't drive any further.
I looked around adelaide for a replacement unit and the cheapest was from an air con joint north of the airport. I think it was around 6-700.
The problem was that by the time they replaced my unit with the new one, they also replaced filters etc etc ... so the total for the job was 1400!
Expensive I guess, but at least I know it wont break down in 13mths time like a 2nd hand one might, and it's working great now.