Argh... The great parts ponzi scheme

[DrEntropy]

Mits' A/C compressor clutch is rattling and giving me notice it is going to fail. I cannot buy a clutch assembly, am told it only comes with the compressor attached!

I guess selling the clutch assembly alone is not making enough money. So now it's going to force me to redo the entire A/C system. Filter, evap valve, refrigerant, the lot. And all the time it takes to R&R the evaporator with all the under dash c*ap that needs to come out and back, then vacuum down the thing and recharge it.


RUTABAGA!!!

 

[Gliderman8]

That's carp! Any salvage yards that you can pick one up?

 

[DrEntropy]

I considered it, Elliot, but because she's intent on keeping this thing, the right thing to do is just go on and renew the whole system. Got the compressor, filter and evap valve ordered, so...

I did get the TWO VOLUME Factory Workshop Manuals, so no excuse for not knowing what goes where.
The books have some really mashed up English in them and the errors are sorta funny. One illustration of the "right" and "wrong" serpentine belt installations on the pulley has them basackwards.

May have to consult with Banjo Ben!

 

[Billm]

Doc
Is it a York or a Sankyo (Sanyo) type compressor?
I have a couple of NOS clutch assemblies for a York style one if you can use one
BillM

 

[DrEntropy]

Appreciate the offer, Bill, but it's a Denso on Herself's Camry. If a York unit I'd have it in hand.

 

[mikephillips]

Reminds me of a few years ago my father had a Lancia. When the horn push needed replacing you couldn't buy just the springs, which were some oddball design, but had to purchase the whole steering assembly..

 

[Basil]

Doc - we ran up to Santa Fe this weekend with SIL and her friend from Denver. Thought of you when I saw this sign on a small business.

 

[Gliderman8]

Doc - we ran up to Santa Fe this weekend with SIL and her friend from Denver. Thought of you when I saw this sign on a small business.

View attachment 50771

Bas, doc was looking for a part for his wife's car not his biological roots.

 

[CaptRandy]

Ask a "mechanic" to install the new ceramic seal on the compressor. Wait until you see the look on their faces of "what is that".

 

[DrEntropy]

Ask a "mechanic" to install the new ceramic seal on the compressor. Wait until you see the look on their faces of "what is that".

There are quite a few things in that category, too. Rebuilding a water pump or setting up a points type distributor among 'em. Saw a video where some vo-tech students were handed some different components to I.D. When handed a set of points, only one in six could name it and what it does.

 

[NutmegCT]

Back in 2013 I drove my 1960 Mercedes-Benz across the USA.

When I stopped at Bonneville Salt Flats, I noticed my fan belt needed tightening. Didn't have the tools I needed.

So I pulled into Gallagher Ford dealership in Elko NV, to borrow some wrenches. About six young mechanics left their work and came over to check out the car and engine.

One of the guys asked "Right next to the engine, what's the round thing with the five wires coming out of the top?"

There followed an explanation of "distributor".

No kiddin'

 

[John Turney]

You can't just take the clutch off the new compressor and put it on the old one?

 

[DrEntropy]

You can't just take the clutch off the new compressor and put it on the old one?

I'll know when I get the new one in-hand, John. Likely tomorrow.

 

[waltesefalcon]

'One of the guys asked "Right next to the engine, what's the round thing with the five wires coming out of the top?"
There followed an explanation of "distributor".'

I think that is why they are no longer mechanics and are now technicians. Mechanics know how mechanical things operate and how to maintain them, technicians know how to plug in a computer and replace the part that the computer tells them to replace. If you gave a technician an engine with a crank bearing going out and gave them a stethoscope to find which bearing needed to be replaced they would look at you like you were crazy.

 

[PAUL161]

For years now car dealers have had parts changers, I call a mechanic, one who can remove a part, repair it and put it back on and it works. They don't repair anything anymore, just replace it.

 

[SaxMan]

I met a gentleman who taught auto mechanics at a vocational tech school. He gave it up because they were no longer teaching the students how to fix things, they were teaching them how to diagnose and replace things.

Still, I can't help but think about how intrigued a bunch of younger adults were at my Sprite and the concept that you actually could tinker, make adjustment and FIX rather than just pop in a new module. Cars may not be changing, but those who have the tinkering mindset will always find a way to take something apart and put it back together.

 

[NutmegCT]

...
Still, I can't help but think about how intrigued a bunch of younger adults were at my Sprite and the concept that you actually could tinker, make adjustment and FIX rather than just pop in a new module. Cars may not be changing, but those who have the tinkering mindset will always find a way to take something apart and put it back together.

Wow - exactly my thoughts. So many young folk are fascinated with my MG (and my former MB, and Rambler, and TR, and ...). Being able to identify what the parts are, and what they do, with no black boxes - and showing them how to change the plugs, set timing, adjust mixture and idle speed. It's like a friend's son once told me about vinyl records: the music is really there on the record - not just a digital "0 and 1" thing.

TM

 

[mikephillips]

Couple years ago when the starter went bad in the Toyota I assumed they'd replace it. Was really surprised when I was told they'd actually disassembled it and replaced a couple internal parts.