Question about car aircon compressor and radiator

[priyana]

Hi forumers,

I need some advise about an item that need repairing for my Latio.
I just sent my latio CVT for 70K servicing, and it is out of warranty.
Lately I notice my engine emits a loud hum like "waaaaa......waaaa...".
How to describe it, like those you often hear when a car is engaged in reverse gear and reversing.
The pitch goes together with the RPM.

Anyway, I got Tan Chong to check, since I am on NPMP package.
The service person just called me, told me that the sound is from my aircon compressor. And if broke will cause engine overheat.
I told him that the sound is even more audible when the aircon is off.
But he told me that it is all linked.
He said if the aircon compressor broke down, it will jam, and the belt will not work, and my car will overheat.

It will cost me some $1250 inclusive of the installation. He said compressor alone is over $900.

What I need to know is this:
Does his explanation make sense? Is the aircon compressor really linked to my engine cooling (radiator I guess) ?
Can I get it cheaper by getting it replaced in outside workshop? Or is it very major that unsafe to do it outside?


Thanks for anyone who can enlighten me.

[clarence]

It is hard to know your exact problem unless I see it for myself.

Try getting a 2nd opinion here - http://www.riverviewauto.com.sg/

It will definitely be cheaper than Tan Chong.

Anyway, your car is no longer under warranty so you are not obliged to send it back to Tan Chong for repairs.

[priyana]

Hi,

Thanks for the pointer.
I will get them to check for me for 2nd opinion.

cheers.

[lyh1280]

Bro, guess u a bit "sway" since ur car just over 3 yrs in May 08. U shd hv brought the matter up b4 the 3 yrs at TC (can complain le about the noise), unless u don hv the noisy problem earlier. Think u shd b the same in Latio early batch where few of us here have also changed our aircond compressor bcos of the noise (of cos FOC as under warranty). I m one of them. Initially din know about the nosie fr aircond compressor also, just 1 of the normal servicing day, complain to TC that very noisy fr engine compartment. When came back to collect car, notice they hv changed my whole aircond compressor + some of the parts together.

Since now u bo pian, u may also wan to check with Autosaver.. see how much it will cost there, at least they are familiar with Nissan cars, and they use all genuine Nissan parts I would say. Check it out with them also.

[detach8]

i can recommend autosavers. you can ask their mechanic there if you want. i have had good experience with them. toh guan branch.

[priyana]

Hi,

thanks for more leads.
Yes, the sound only come lately. Wasn't there when I did my 60K in June (also after warranty).
Will check with riverview first coming Monday.

Anyone who are technical enough here that can advise whether it is possible such noise to be caused by compressor, even when aircon is off?

For brother "lyh1280", was your car noise also there when you switched off the aircon?

What I don't want is for TC to just draw same conclusion just because many of the earlier batch latio have compressor problem.
Who knows the problem was different (mine has same noise when aircon is off).

cheers.