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Sometimes you just got to chuckle- about those with more money than brains

GM Tech on Thu August 18, 2011 11:16 PM User is offline

Seems my buddy's dentist just got a 98 Aurora two weeks ago-- when the a/c compressor pulley clutch smokes the pulley bearing. Ok so he drove it a week or two -enough to notice that big 2 inch temp gage show mid point when driving......but now that the compressor clutch smoked the coil and a/c fuse (and rattles really bad) he sees the temp about a 1/4 inch higher on that big scale-----getting hot he thinks--takes it to GM Stealershio where he tells them he needs a new radiator and flushed out....so $1200 later, he still has the engine temp 1/4 inch higher---What he (nor the stealership evidently) don't realize, is that with the a/c inop- the cooling fans are now completely controlled by engine temp- and not on for condenser......so without fans coming on till later- 227 degf as I recall-- he thinks his engine is overheating and blames stealership for not getting engine temp down---(They should have said, let us fix your compressor and all will be back to normal)

Wait--it gets better....2 days ago I go to pick car up to fix compressor issue--he tells me he had stealership replace the starter because he has been having trouble with engine turning over....stealership replaces starter (no easy task on a Northstar baby) and he tells me it is still having the same issue......so I'm driving home with compressor rattling to beat the band---notice gas gage is on elmer.....have to pull over and get gas---better leave it run-- don't want to burn the belt off that hot, hot pulley (been there done that) so i put in 10 dollars- drop it in gear and engine stalls......Oh No....Now I realize what he means by starter sluggish-- it won't turn over engine----obviously because the extra extra load on starter from seized pulley bearing.....so I let it cool for 6 hours (BIL comes and gets me) go back and figure it will start cold pulley-- no dice...I have my trusted belt tensionor tool I made for northstars and raise tension off belt-- BIL cranks engine-- it starts fine-- lower tension on belt-- engine stalls--- rev it up I say-- no help just squeals and stall.....so now what.....I grow some gohunnas and decide just to lift belt off and drive it home with no accessories-- I mean the water pump is all I really need , right? and it is driven by back of front cam shaft!! No power steering and no a/c and no alternator are NOT show stoppers-- just a real PITA to steer is all... but I drive it 20 miles home (mostly interstate) and make it fine....

Next, I pull off clutch, pulley and coil-- install new ones from my inventory and put on a new belt and all is fine....shaft seal was not damaged, car had full charge, and I bench checked pump.....

Can you believe that this guy spent nearly $2000 on unnecessary fixes? The a/c pullley bearing fix cured all his symptoms....But the Stealership was absolutely no help- why do they do what you want changed knowing there are no indicators that these things will fix the issue?

Just my latest excursions... Oh , I still have his car....should I tell him my thoughts and ruin his day? I intend to, but my buddy says he won't understand what I'm saying-- I mean all he had to to is fix compressor pulley and all other problems would have disappeared- but he opts to tell Stealership what he wants done- and doesn't fix the issues.
One is a non-issue-- temp is perfectly normal--- other load on engine issue- fixed by pulley bearing fix...but the stealership doesn't recognize either issue.....and they do this for a living!! I do it for fun!



-------------------------
The number one A/C diagnostic tool there is- is to know how much refrigerant is in the system- this can only be done by recovering and weighing the refrigerant!!
Just a thought.... 65% of A/C failures in my 3200 car diagnostic database (GM vehicles) are due to loss of refrigerant due to a leak......

Edited: Fri August 19, 2011 at 9:20 AM by GM Tech

JJM on Fri August 19, 2011 10:19 PM User is offline

I honestly don't know how folks can afford to maintain cars today. It seems anytime you bring a vehicle in seemingly minor repairs, you're looking at least $500 with more along the lines of $1,000 plus. What amazes me is how many folks pay this for MAINTENANCE in relatively new cars at dealerships. When I used to glance at the RO train nicely organized at the dealership cashier, they all seemed to have comma in the total box... and folks don't seem to mind paying.

I've done a few of Northstar starters, including my own after less than 4 years, and it wasn't too bad because you're not working from underneath... at least your not worrying about dropping the thing on your toe. The older the vehicle, the worse the job because the plenum is too stiff and doesn't flex easy. And I always seem to break off the anti-backfire plug on the manifold. My question is I thought they were supposed to last long because they're "protected" in the valley. I think they just gather moisture and overheat in there. Also not thrilled how the positive cable is so close to the block.

Then again, most dentists usually mint money - mostly all cash payment and little insurance BS - why is this dentist fooling around with a 13 year-old Oldsmobile instead of brand new S550?

Joe

When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: www.ACKits.com



NickD on Tue August 23, 2011 10:16 AM User is offline

Never will forget that guy with two sharp looking babes that tried to launch his 24' brand new SeaRay. He did this by flying in reverse than slamming on his brakes. But only with two insignificant errors. First was braking way too soon, second, he didn't lift his stern drive. Ha, still wish I had my camera with me, but a good example of having more money than brains.

Another example of having more money than brains is the several CEO's I have worked for that were constantly picking my brain. And making hundreds of times the money I was working my butt off studying. But who has the brains? Probably knowing which butt to kiss is far more effective than studying your butt off. And also forcing people to work for pennies like most of them do.

Can't really feel sorry for this dentist, paid mine 800 bucks for a root canal, hardly was with me ten minutes. Just drilled deeper, could feel it in my big toe and jammed more plaster in that hole. 2,000 bucks for him would be about 25 minutes worth of work. Same with doctors around here, none of them warranty their work, but the tradesmen around here tell me they are the worst to work for, and better be done right for pennies.

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