Robert
Jacksonville,#2Consumer Comment
Wed, August 30, 2006
Laura, does your car overheat while cruising down the highway, or when you sit in traffic? Does the A/C work when cruising, or never at all? This assumes freon is still in the system. If not, have it charged up again. Keep in mind, properly charging up the A/C system will cost about $100. It requires a recovery/recycling machine, not a hand held can. The system needs to be drawn down to 30" of vacuum for a minimum of 45 minutes, before being charged up. They also need to add dye, so any leaks can be found later on. The machine will also tell them exactly how much freon was still in the system. Now, after the system is charged up, the mechanic needs to make sure your fan works. Without the cooling fan drawing air through the condensor, and radiator, BOTH will get hot. When the freon gets hot enough, the high side pressure will rise to the point where it blows out the poppit valve on the back of the compressor. Every time it blows some out, that's less you have next time. Eventually, you don't have enough to even turn the compressor on. Replacing the fan motor will cost about $150. Replacing the whole assembly will be about $250. With any luck, you haven't damaged the engine. Take your car to a REAL repair shop, and stop wasting time, and money, with CHEAP places. Anyone who does not have the proper license to work on A/C systems should be avoided. Yep, mechanics have to hold a license to service A/C. Without one, they are in violation of Federal Laws. Also, NOBODY with a license uses a hand held can to add freon. When you see someone using one, go to another shop.
Steve
Bradenton,#3Consumer Suggestion
Wed, August 30, 2006
Laura, It does sound like an internal problem such as a head gasket. There are 2 ways to check this yourself, as there are 2 types of leaks that normally occur with a head gasket. You have "internal" leaks and "external" leaks. If you have an "internal" leak, you will normally have water in your oil. At this point, do not drive the car anymore as you will destroy the engine. Change your oil and filter AFTER disconnecting and draining the coolant from the engine so it does not contaminate your oil again. The "external" leak you can deal with unless you have severe overheating. Check your tailpipe and see if water/antifreeze is coming out when you start it, and then check it again after it warms up. A small leak will only be visible at startup, a major leak will still show after the car is warmed up and you will smell antifreeze burning. Furthermore, running your A/c with no freon will destroy your compressor. To get colder A/C on a system that is not defective, an external pusher fan on the condensor works well. Saturn was designed to be a disposable car, following the YUGO. It is not practical to do major repairs to them, as you could just buy another car for less. Call the junkman to tow it away in my opinion. I know that's not what you wanted to hear, but any mechanic that advises expensive repairs on that car is ripping you off. Good luck.
Marc
Makaha,#4Consumer Comment
Wed, August 30, 2006
When the car heats past a certain point, the air conditioner will sometimes purge, rendering in inoperable, but that's not your big problem. Your engine needs major head-work that will probrably cost more than the car is worth. Each time you get it hot more damage is done.
Jennifer
Guadalupe,#5Consumer Suggestion
Tue, August 29, 2006
That would be the first step before going to court, and in my opinion I wouldn't bother with court. Did you pay for an ac inspection? If you did then you should get your money back. Really if a shop does an inspection that you paid for showing their results they are in a way responsible for your repairs. I mean if they said "well we think it is this, so lets try" and you agree to it with the hopes it will repair your problem that is different than saying "Our inspection results show that you just need new freon and a radiator cap" in which they told you they didn't find any leaks or other problems. You could ask the University Auto Center to review your bill from Willies. They would be able to tell you if Willies was in the wrong and probably some ways to get your money back. And they would know the way to contact your state regulation board (I don't know Texas laws) so you could file a report if you need to. All of these are steps you need to take before attempting to go to court. At least in Ca I know your case would be thrown out if you didn't take the right steps to resolve the issue first. Then go back to Willies and explain why you feel you deserve your money back. In the future you should ask for a full inspection of whatever system you are having a problem with, that way the shop is responsible if they do repairs that do not fix your problem.