Rattling noise under the front of the car with a/c running

[sgould]

I don't  think that is the right one.

According to my parts list, that one, 12758381, was used up to 2005.

For 2006 the one listed in my Saab parts list is Part No. 12759394.

I have no idea what the difference is...

[Steve McF]

That's the one PFS sell for £380ish. Just tried Saabits and they don't seem to recognise the part number, but the other number they did and the part cost over £550 

[Steve McF]

Well as the noise is getting worse, I asked for some proper quotes, and I got these - both including VAT and delivery:

Saabits - Nissens  compressor+ belt £395.61

Partsforsaabs - OEM compressor + belt £405.23

Waiting for another quote yet, but I assume the Nissens compressor ought to be as good as whatever the OEM part is? So whichever way, it looks like I'm looking at £400 anyway....and that's before I've got my mechanic to fit it 

[Audax]

As I said before, speak to your local aircon specialists to get a price for the total job 

[Steve McF]

you mean for them to supply and fit?

WMSS were going to quote me but never followed up, so as you say might look for a local a/c place. Was going to source the parts myself and give to my mechanic that looks after our other cars but a turnkey job would be better.

[sgould]

I've had this place recommended a couple of times. 

https://www.vanchilla.co.uk

The guy I know goes to them, and says "Don't be put off by the first impressions of the premises"    I've not needed to use them, but I've noted them.

[Audax]

you mean for them to supply and fit?

Yes, some of the guys will have access to trade prices for parts and will have the gas, kit and experience so you could end up paying a lot less than sourcing bits and getting another mechanic to do the work. It's very often the same for windscreen replacement, independents can get cheap trade prices for screens and fit them and still make a stack of cash. 

[sgould]

I agree.  Most of the specialist type services provided by general garages are actually outsourced local specialists who are called in when needed.  So you are often just paying the local garage a markup.

There seem to be a lot of mobile aircon specialists about.  There was one near us in Harrow, but I can't find his details at the moment.

[sgould]

A quick look on line and there is this link...

http://www.compressortech.co.uk/service-dept.php

[TomPaine]

As I said before, speak to your local aircon specialists to get a price for the total job 

I also agree. For an aircon fix on my previous 9-5 a mobile specialist proved much the best option.

[Steve McF]

I'll try and contact that one that Will has posted above as they are not far away. But I also got this response from a mobile aircon guy that operates in Warwickshire:

"Hi Steve,
It will be the actual pulley and not the clutch that is probably going to be the problem. If the pulley bearing fails then it will throw off the drive belt and you could overhear engine, lose power steering and electrics.
It is not economical to replace the pulley as often they are seized on and require much more labour to swap out.
If the compressor needs replacing you could ultimately be looking in the £500+ bracket including labour, regassing etc.
I can come out and definitely confirm what is making the noise. Cost will be £49 for the diagnosis.
Regards
Paul"

[sgould]

Surely if it was the pulley and not the clutch, it would be rattling all the time. Not just when the aircon is switched on.   All the aircon on/off switch does is to operate the clutch, which connects the pulley (and the belt) to the compressor.

[Steve McF]

Well, not sure I want to pay him £49 just to come and tell me whatever it is, it's going to be more expensive still!!!!!! The 'throwing the belt off the pulley' scenario was what WMSS told me as well, but then they never bothered to get back to me to quote for the job.

So have emailed that CompressorTech company to see what they say. They are nearby so hoping I can take the car over for a free diagnosis first!!!

[Steve McF]

Well today I managed to take the car over to Compressortech for a quick diagnosis. The service there was excellent and a technician got onto the car immediately and found the centre part of the pulley is what is rattling. They did explain the finer details but I must admit I have forgotten what he said now!!! But, it sounds like there is not real risk of the belt coming off. However, although it can be fixed, the labour time and cost is similar to replacing the whole compressor, and there is no guarantee that the compressor would fail after having this fixed anyway (even though it is functioning OK despite the noise!!)

I wasn't charged for the diagnosis, but the cost of a remanufactured a/c compressor (they remanufacture compressors themselves) fitted, is around about £450 including the VAT. So it's still a fair bit, but it is not a figure that is worse than what I was expecting. So, I think I will be booking the Aero in in a couple of weeks.

[etbandung]

Well today I managed to take the car over to Compressortech for a quick diagnosis. The service there was excellent and a technician got onto the car immediately and found the centre part of the pulley is what is rattling. They did explain the finer details but I must admit I have forgotten what he said now!!! But, it sounds like there is not real risk of the belt coming off. However, although it can be fixed, the labour time and cost is similar to replacing the whole compressor, and there is no guarantee that the compressor would fail after having this fixed anyway (even though it is functioning OK despite the noise!!)

I wasn't charged for the diagnosis, but the cost of a remanufactured a/c compressor (they remanufacture compressors themselves) fitted, is around about £450 including the VAT. So it's still a fair bit, but it is not a figure that is worse than what I was expecting. So, I think I will be booking the Aero in in a couple of weeks.

thats quite fair i guess ? im having the similiar problem with front noises when ac is turned on