Aircon failed on the Sportwagon

[Petemate]

Nice one. About 4pm today set off to the shops for some grub etc for the first part of our 4 nights away at Charmouth (going tomorrow) and the air con is not working. Called Oxford Saab who have very kindly offered to check it and try a regas first thing tomorrow, which I reckon is very good. I realise that there is probably something wrong which will need a part so not expecting a proper fix but at least they will try at very short notice. I've done a quick check and both fuses are intact. Not tried any relays but it was so hot out there I started to melt so retired back indoors with the portable air con unit. I sense a 140 mile drive with wifey handing me small bottles of water frequently on the way down......
Pete

[jmblack]

It's typical - always happens just before the holiday trip!

Worst hot weather trip I remember was to nice in a dark green Honda accord in 1997 without Aircon. Drove on the aptly named autoroute du soleil wearing only underpants and trainers with all the windows open. Thought I might cook! Had to stop every. 1/2 hour to go inside air conned service station and take on fluids!

Nice car but no ventilation!!

[sgould]

Back in the 70's we took an Austin Maxi along a track across the Camargue.  It was rough and had to be taken at walking pace.

Temps were in the 30's and we had to put the heater on full to keep the engine temperature down!!

[Mr Linear]

Compressor was replaced in our 2008 9-3 at 68k by Oxford Saab, before we bought it at 4 years old.

Mind you now need the flywheel done at 82k 

[Petemate]

I felt sweltering hot just reading all that! So - sorted. It was a stone penetration, not covered under warranty. So my options were 1) have it done and hang the expense or 2) take it away after forking out for the check and regas attempt - cook all the way down to, during, and back from the holiday, then go to Neo for a pattern condensor and DIY. So I went for option 1. When I called OH to advise cost I think she converted to religion because she said quietly "Jesus Christ".
Estimated was £470, came out at £449. They had a condensor in stock and kindly did it while I waited.
While I know that some Saab parts are getting a bit hard to get hold of it was lucky that they had a Saab one in stock. (NB when I bought a pair of rear springs for the wife's Sportka a few weeks ago, CR Marks factors said that Cumnor visit them occasionally for service parts but I know they don't carry AC condensors from my session with the previous 9-3)
Now to finish the toast I never ate at breakfast and load up the caravan & car.
Pete (was  but now 

[sgould]

Wrong icon!!

Cool is 

[Max Headroom]

Couldn't you have got a pattern condensor from Serck behind the Maccy D where we met up the other week?

[Audax]

Couldn't you have got a pattern condensor from Serck behind the Maccy D where we met up the other week?

Watch it with pattern condensers, many suppliers will sell you one for what I believe to be the Vectra C that will fit but requires modification that will invalidate any warranty.

[Geoff1951]

Temps were in the 30's and we had to put the heater on full to keep the engine temperature down!!

I remember doing that too!

[Petemate]

Couldn't you have got a pattern condensor from Serck behind the Maccy D where we met up the other week?

Fair point Mark but at the time I was 1) hot and bothered and 2) getting later and later for the start to our holiday and 3) just not in the mood or state to be able to tackle the job even though I had done it on the previous 9-3! Also by the time I had paid Oxford for the investigation, then paid for the pattern one, then another charge for the regas, the total would have mounted up. This way I have a Saab part with parts warranty on it!

Watch it with pattern condensers, many suppliers will sell you one for what I believe to be the Vectra C that will fit but requires modification that will invalidate any warranty.

Quite. However, the pattern one I got from Neo Bros for our previous 9-3 went straight in and was £180, together with a receiver drier for £35. Unfortunately there had been sufficient contamination ingested into the system to cause the evaporator to self destruct on yet another regas attempt by my friendly local techie. Neo came up trumps with a used evaporator for £50 and actually provided me with a complete heater box for that amount as they had not got an evaporator out ready when I got there. Top guys, and now I have a spare heater matrix and all the stepper motors on the box.....
The holiday was extremely enjoyable especially the belt down to and back from the coast with the caravan on the back and a lovely fridge in the car. MMMmmm. N(ice).

[Max Headroom]

... especially the belt down to and back from the coast with the caravan on the back and a lovely fridge in the car. MMMmmm. N(ice).

Don't mention the word "Belt"     

[Petemate]

Wrong icon!!

Cool is 

LOL

[Petemate]

... especially the belt down to and back from the coast with the caravan on the back and a lovely fridge in the car. MMMmmm. N(ice).

Don't mention the word "Belt"     

OOoops - sorry Mark 

[Guyver1]

These guys are very good, supplied the compressor for my Signum, the pattern part was genuine with the GM sticker sliced off so name was on it, perfect fit.

http://www.autoairconparts.co.uk/Saab-9-3-2.0-TURBO-Petrol-Man/Auto-Sep-02-to-/-Car-air-conditioning-compressors-pumps-aircon-radiators-and-more/

[Petemate]

Very good Guyver1 - they are in my Saab Stuff!