95 Aurora - A/C Compressor

[robinr]

Hello everyone,

I have a 95 with only 49k miles.

The other day, I was pulling into the drive way and noticed this awful smell. The SES light was on also.

I eventually checked all my fluid levels, and found I was a little low on trans axle fluid - so I took care of that.

When next I started the car up to go to work - I stopped and checked the mail. Just before stopping to do so I turned the A/C on and almost immediately smelled the odor again.

I parked the car and used another that weekend.

Come Monday, I phoned one of the more reputable mechanic shops here in the small town where I live.

Told him my story. Said he didn't have his Computer tool (had loaned it out) but to drive it in without turning the A/C on and he would take a look at it for me.

I drove it in - about 10 miles. No smell. He came out and opened the hood, had me start it up - then had me turn the A/C on. We started smelling that awful odor, and within a minute or so - it began making this awful noise and shooting out smoke. Said it was either the clutch or compressor.

I'm just wondering. When the smoke and noise happened, is that when it probably "grenaded" or "implode"? If he had used the tool first would that have answered our questions?

I've put off getting fixed but now am going to look into. The SES light went off the same afternoon after I left his shop by the way.

I've read some of the other posts here and I am starting to shop around for prices. I just hope I don't have to replace the recon/dryer like someone else was talking about as I understand that could add another 500 dollars.

I realize my question is water under the bridge, but I'm just wondering - if the mechanic had used the OBDII tool and read the SES code, would this have prevented our causing the compressor to "grenade" and perhaps causing me even more expense. He did say that my car had an A/C sensor on it. Cause I asked him if the SES light was probably telling us it was the A/C . I told him I could go down to Autozone and get the codes to help. He said he would still need the tool in order to capture more data.

Any suggestions on my best course would be appreciated. Though, I have a pretty good idea from some of the other posts.

Just appreciate everyone's support.

Thanks,

RobinR
www.auctioncents.com
www.carbrecipes.com

[dsatt12]

There is basically no chance that you could have saved your compressor just by asking the computer what's up. It's possible if you'd done it 6 months or a year ago and the computer told you you were down some refrigerant you could have prevented the damage, but not what you're talking about. The r-134 and the couple of ounces of oil they add to the system keep it lubricated. If you run the system w/o it too long- kaboom. These compressors we got do seem to wear out pretty often at about 100,000 miles too, but that's just pure conjecture based on reading a bunch of posts saying "hey! me too!"...

[robinr]

Yeah - I kinda figured that may be the case. Just need to shop around now for the best fix.

Thanks for your reply,

Robin R