dodgy aircon or dodgy mechanic

[andyli]

hi, guys, I just had an intereting story recently. got my car regased for the aircon last week in a place close to Hurstville, bexley area. the young mechanic said he only do cash, so I rushed to the nearby ATM back in 3 minutes. every thing seemed fine, until late that day, I noticed the car is very harsh, when I accelerate it make a growling noise. the trans has been flushed three years ( 25k) ago and before I drove the car to that shop it is really smooth, and I just came back from a high way trip of 250km.

today I changed the engine oil, but it is still the same. the three minutes is the only time I left the car to some body else. could some one give me some idea that what could he manage to do in three minutes? I suspect that he put some water through the dip stick of the trany? when I smell it, it is like my old VN, smelt slightly burned.

[Brett_jjj]

Id be trying to get hold of the shorter serpentine belt that was used on non A/C models, and bypass the A/C compressor,then see if the noise goes away.If it does,you know its only the A/C compressor.I bought one of these shorter belts not too long ago just to get out of trouble, when the bearings went in my A/C compressor.

[wamboin23]

any reason you suspect he did something to your car? is trans oil will be milky if its got water in it.

i agree with brett, sounds like the a/c compressor is causing the problems.

[andyli]

when I do not use the air con, and the problem is still there, when you accelerate from 10km/h to 50km/h, it is really harsh, but once it is over 60km/h it is less noticable, between 60-100km/h sound ok, dosen't matter you turn the aircon on or off, it is the same. by the way, the car is not a VN, its a mazda tribute. sorry guys.

[andyli]

yes, I got reason that I suspect him. I clearly remember that morning, I went to gas station and filled in the tank, and drove to work, that car is really smooth. the work shop is on my way to work, so I decided to regas. after the regas, it is very close to my work(2km) and I am a bit late, so I am in a hurry and did not notice much. but when I finished my work about 5pm and started the engine, it sound weird, and then when I accelerated from low speed I felt the harshness. I am not picky, just you drive your own car every day, you know when some thing is not normal or right.

[VN SV5000]

it could be your compressor or even your clutch coil or if the noise is still there when your accelerate try changing the bearing for the hub where the belt sits on.. but in saying that the hubs i have tryed in the past to get offf are very hard to but i have managed to do 1. so even then it was a replacement compressor!!! what sort of vehicle is it??? commodore have alot of dramas with the compressors. if you need some help let me know as i do car aircon for a job.

[VN SV5000]

sorry didnt read it right lol its a vn or vp.

[wamboin23]

maybe you got a dodgy batch of fuel?

[acarmody]

maybe you got a dodgy batch of fuel?

Thats possible. Maybe give it until you top up again.

Or if you suspect the air-con, than remove the serpentine belt in the morning when the car is dead cold, and reverse down your driveway or something. Don't have it on for more than about 30 seconds and it will be fine. Just remember you will have no power steering or power braking.

If problem goes away, than its likely the AC is farked. Possible clutch is partially engaged.

[ucwepn]

I suspect compressor clutch is shagged and causing strain on the engine making it seem rough. Only happens when you turn A/C on?

[andyli]

the engine's ford sourced v6 peaks torque at 4750 rpm and power at 6000 rpm, on first and second, it refuses to push over 2400 rpm, and foot to the floor only sees the engine redlining at around 3000. it just feels like its lost one of its cylinders. the problem happens both with and without AC on. so I could say it is not the AC. I suspect the mechanic did some dodgy thing, like putting some water in the tranny ? or some other area? I could feel the huge difference before and after I sent the car to his workshop. before it was really smooth and quiet, just I do not have evidence, but I will refuse to believe it is my car, the chance that this is an coincidence is very rare. or he disconnect one of the spark plugs?

[wamboin23]

bad fuel could have taken awhile to get to the engine.

take it somewhere and get it checked out.

[andyli]

I suspect compressor clutch is shagged and causing strain on the engine making it seem rough. Only happens when you turn A/C on?

no, doesn't matter the AC on or not, it is like you lose power, from 10km/h to 40km/h, it is really harsh, and you can see the RPm is struggling, very hard to get close to 2000. and before, it is easy to hit 2500 or 3000 when you need it. to me, I push the pedal at the level I was pushing it to 85km/h, and the car is just sitting at 40km/h.

[VR38]

If they haven't done something stupid like forgot to put the oil in for the compressor then yeah maybe he accidental bumped a spark lead off and hasn't noticed, or coincidental that maybe your harmonic balancer shit it shelf... should not be too hard to diagnose the noise if it is bad enough to drive you mental.

I have always wondered where we stand if you leave your "old" car with a mechanic and something "wears out" while in his possession.

[Gudgeon Pin]

i agree with VR38, in three mins probably just took a lead off.

[nemesis_adrasteia]

why not take it back to the mechanic, its probably not coincidence that it started having problems right after you took it there.