Hi all,

Just in the process of replacing the aircon compressor in my '99 2dr. Having just spent a couple of thousand $$ on other repairs I ordered a cheap "Replacement" brand compressor (PtNo REPC191115) from an online store to save some money. Big mistake! When it turned up at my front door there were two significant holes in the box where the compressor had rubbed clean through during transit. There was no damage to the compressor but there was dessicant everywhere and one of the 4 spacers that came with it was missing (the bag they were in was shredded). The only packaging around the compressor was two pieces of egg carton style cardboard, clearly not enough for something as heavy as a compressor.

After 40min on the phone to a call center in India to get another spacer sent out and complain about the inadequate packaging, I cleaned up the mess (dessicant was now all over my loungeroom floor) and put the compressor away. Later that afternoon I get one email from the online store with instructions on how to return the compressor and another stating a new compressor was on its way. Sure enough, when the new one turned up, it was in the exact same condition as the first! At least it had all its bits inside.

I then set about replacing the compressor. I had a quick read of the (Chinese) instructions and was a bit concerned when I read "this compressor may not be an exact match for the ole compressor", hence the need for the spacers. I then went to my local auto store for a freon recharge kit and a bottle of R-134a compatible oil (wasn't sure if I needed it after reading the confusing instructions, but didn't want to make another trip to the store mid-job).

About 15 minutes into the job I had another read of the instructions and this time I read the last paragraph (which I hadn't got to last time) and realised I was going to need a new Serpentine belt because this sh!tty new compressor had a larger pulley than the original one! This meant putting the car back together again and driving back to the auto shop for a Serpentine belt (I only just replaced the old one 12 months ago).

I'm yet to finish the job (had to postpone it til tomorrow) so I'm not sure how successful it's going to be. Time will tell. Sorry this is so long, but I just wanted to reiterate to everyone that when it comes to buying spares, be very careful of going the cheap option. More often than not you get what you pay for! Note: this piece of junk still cost around $200, so it wasn't that 'cheap'. By the time I bought the new belt and with all the running around, I would have been better off buying a $300 compressor that really was an exact replacement for my old one.

-Scott

 

Latest events in this saga..... pulled the old compressor out this morning, tried to swap the high pressure switch over to the new compressor but found it wasn't even close to being the right size to fit the new one. The instructions state you have to fit a new switch, I assumed this was a way of making more money from me and that the old one would fit. Wrong. Had to get a lift down to my local auto shop and buy a new switch for about $30. Bought the Delco switch that the instructions said to. Get back to my garage and find that there is no way this switch is going to fit the compressor (female to female fitting). I'm well and truly p!ssed off now, so I rang the online store I bought the compressor from, expecting another 40min conversation with someone in New Delhi. To my surprise I got an Indian girl who spoke good english, and within 5 min I had all the paperwork I needed to send this piece if cr@p back to them for a full refund. The compressor is now on it's way back to the supplier (with much better packaging than original!) and I've ordered an ACDelco model that is supposed to be a direct replacement for the old one. I know I've heard that before, but at least this one looks just like the old one.

So after buying this sh!tty compressor, and having to do several trips to the store for a new Serpentine belt, R-134a compatible oil and a new high pressure switch, I'm now out of pocket almost the same amount as what the ACDelco model cost, which should slot straight into the place of the old one. Luckily this is the country of the no question return, so I've managed to get all my money back (or will do).