Disappointing Nor-Cal techs? Or am I being silly?
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Disappointing Nor-Cal techs? Or am I being silly?
I've called five different European-auto shops in a 60 mile radius (three of them being HIGHLY recommended here by NAM), and they all gave the same answer regarding clutch-coil replacements for A/C:
"You NEED a new compressor. Period."
In their defense, Mini doesn't make just the clutch-coil, so maybe they don't know that you don't need to buy the entire compressor. But when I explain that I'm able to acquire the coil:
"We don't have the tools to replace just the clutch-coil."
So my question is this: is there ANY place in Northern California (hopefully near the Sacramento-area, but I don't mind driving to the Bay if I have to) that is able to diagnose whether the compressor or clutch-coil is bad, and be able to replace just the latter if it indeed is the issue? I'd understand if this was a really specific issue that not a lot of techs knows about, but it looks like a HUGE prevalent issue with the Mini's that I have no clue as to why several techs are unable to do this.
A simple search and I found:
"… the main clutch related issue seems to be the clutch COIL which all I had to replace."
"Thankfully, replacing the A/C compressor clutch coil isn't too expensive or difficult to repair. Most shops will tell you the coil is not available alone and that you have to install a new compressor - a very costly repair. This is not true!"
"What happened to mine was that the clutch coil went "open" or no longer was a circuit and did not flow any power, so it did not energize. You can test for this condition by using the multi-meter on "ohm" setting and using the relay socket going to the clutch... The part is hard to find but I managed to find one on ebay of all places new in box. was only about 120$ and fixed the car!"
"… had the part and was able to put it on the same day for $260.00 total parts and labor! He told me that he gets a couple of Minis every week and reached behind his office desk and pulled out the belt adjustment tool! He told me that they don't even take the bolts out and drop the compressor. They've figured out how to replace the clutch coil while the compressor is still bolted in place."
There's even goddamn videos on the thing:
Northern California Mini "specialists"... You disappoint me.
/endrant
"You NEED a new compressor. Period."
In their defense, Mini doesn't make just the clutch-coil, so maybe they don't know that you don't need to buy the entire compressor. But when I explain that I'm able to acquire the coil:
"We don't have the tools to replace just the clutch-coil."
So my question is this: is there ANY place in Northern California (hopefully near the Sacramento-area, but I don't mind driving to the Bay if I have to) that is able to diagnose whether the compressor or clutch-coil is bad, and be able to replace just the latter if it indeed is the issue? I'd understand if this was a really specific issue that not a lot of techs knows about, but it looks like a HUGE prevalent issue with the Mini's that I have no clue as to why several techs are unable to do this.
A simple search and I found:
"… the main clutch related issue seems to be the clutch COIL which all I had to replace."
"Thankfully, replacing the A/C compressor clutch coil isn't too expensive or difficult to repair. Most shops will tell you the coil is not available alone and that you have to install a new compressor - a very costly repair. This is not true!"
"What happened to mine was that the clutch coil went "open" or no longer was a circuit and did not flow any power, so it did not energize. You can test for this condition by using the multi-meter on "ohm" setting and using the relay socket going to the clutch... The part is hard to find but I managed to find one on ebay of all places new in box. was only about 120$ and fixed the car!"
"… had the part and was able to put it on the same day for $260.00 total parts and labor! He told me that he gets a couple of Minis every week and reached behind his office desk and pulled out the belt adjustment tool! He told me that they don't even take the bolts out and drop the compressor. They've figured out how to replace the clutch coil while the compressor is still bolted in place."
There's even goddamn videos on the thing:
Northern California Mini "specialists"... You disappoint me.
/endrant
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