2 questions on 02 Premiere: a/c Condenser replacement & Differential noise

[MindFreak5150]

As I've had some wonderful help here so far, I thought I'd come back with another problem that's cropped up on our '02 Silhouette Premiere. There's two parts to this but both have been picked up by the same mechanic

1. The a/c has been out for a short while. We paid for a quick check and new freon & dye but that leaked out within a week or so (leaving green liquid around the radiator). I took it back today and the mechanic told me that there was a hole in the a/c condenser and that these can't be repaired (he tells me that there's just too much pressure going on in there for any repair to hold).

2. There's been a horrible crunching/grinding noise on both left & right tight turns for months now. We've taken the minivan to several mechanics, none of whom were able to offer any advice other than 'It's probably the brakes' (which we've just had replaced with no let-up in the noise). The aforementioned mechanic said today that he'd found a TSB relating to this very problem - I don't have a number - and that it was down to needing oil in the differential (he tells me there is none at all there at the moment).

I've been given an estimate of $950 to have both jobs done. Does this seem reasonable (it's money we really don't have, though). I'm guessing the a/c condenser replacement isn't a job for a newbie like me, but it's annoying to see links like this http://www2.partstrain.com/products/ShopBody/A!C_Condenser/2002~OLDSMOBILE~SILHOUETTE~6~3.4~SILH--004.html
but not knowing what to do with it. As for the differential - half an hour's Googling suggests that I need do no more than pump replacement oil in to solve the problem. Is it really that simple? I need some way of saving the $200 or so I've been quoted ($20+ a bottle for the oil he says I need).

So... should I leave the a/c condenser to a professional and grin & bear the price? And should I cough up the $200ish for the differential oil treatment, or would a good few bottles of the right stuff pumped in (whatever the right oil is) ease/rectify the grinding problem?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[MindFreak5150]

Anyone?
Bueller? Bueller?

[jrdwyer]

Did your Olds come with a 5 yr/60K warranty and are you still covered?

I know that with our 01 Silo and probably your 02 also, the condenser design was bad from the start. The mounting brackets cause the crack to form in the condenser. There is a TSB on this problem and the new GM condenser is redesigned to correct this. We have not had any problems with the new condenser.

Our Mitsubishi A/C scroll compressor started leaking refrigerant from a main seal about 2-8 months after the A/C condenser was fixed under warranty. This could be just a coincidence or possibly caused by the loss of lubrication from the condenser leaking. Anyway, GM covered all but $200 of the $1,000 bill even though the vehicle was technically 2 months out of warranty (but still under in miles). The new compressor works great.

So definitely get the leaking condenser replaced with the new and improved version. Maybe try to get GM to pay for some or all of the bill.

[MindFreak5150]

Originally Posted by jrdwyer

Did your Olds come with a 5 yr/60K warranty and are you still covered?

I know that with our 01 Silo and probably your 02 also, the condenser design was bad from the start. The mounting brackets cause the crack to form in the condenser. There is a TSB on this problem and the new GM condenser is redesigned to correct this. We have not had any problems with the new condenser.

Our Mitsubishi A/C scroll compressor started leaking refrigerant from a main seal about 2-8 months after the A/C condenser was fixed under warranty. This could be just a coincidence or possibly caused by the loss of lubrication from the condenser leaking. Anyway, GM covered all but $200 of the $1,000 bill even though the vehicle was technically 2 months out of warranty (but still under in miles). The new compressor works great.

So definitely get the leaking condenser replaced with the new and improved version. Maybe try to get GM to pay for some or all of the bill.

That's really interesting to read. Actually we bought our Olds used so didn't get the manufacturer's warranty. Tbh, I haven't checked through the warranty that we did get - I just naturally assumed that something like the a/c going would be down to natural wear and tear. I'll check it out tomorrow and see if I'm covered. Even if I'm not covered on the original warranty, it seems that a design fault that has a TSB issued would entitle me to some sort of repair? (Maybe I'm just naive, lol).

Thanks for the reply!

[rockwood84]

as for the a/c leak have you made sure it isn't just an o ring leaking.as for the differitial niose and the 20.oo a quart oil to put in it nver heard any thing like that before............. the differintial is lubed by the transmission fluid have you checked the cv joints for torn boots if the boots torn or cracked then thats probably the noise you are hearing does it get worse on turns bad cv joint will rumble or cluck when you make a turn and last thing where are you taking the van to get it worked on they rippin you off go some where else and report them to bbb.when the a/c compressor seal goes out behind the pully it can be fixed for 45.00 instead most places will sell you a new compressor for 900.00 then charge youn 200.00 labor to put it on but take your bussiness some where else not back to the shop you been going to