I know you get what you pay for. And when is a deal, not a deal ? But I find a $81.00 difference between a VA compressor, a Amazom.com sanden 508 compressor. So how many of you went the cheaper way ? was it a good choice ? or big mistake ? What do you think ?....Would you do it again ??
I have a good friend who sold AC components for years - the fellas he sold out to are great and very reasonable. I've been using Seltec and Sanden compressors for years - these are OE for many makers - with no issues at all. They are on average $300. The $99-159 feebay models are another story. Several bought them then wanted me to install them - only way I would was with zero warranty because if they lasted a year before puking a bearing or main seal, it was a successful buy IMO.
as the saying goes you get what you paid for I have always recommended Sanden for the compressor and Vintage Air for the components and never had negative feedback on either products
80% of the time it was within 12-18 months. About 8-10 yrs ago, I would get 3yrs + out of them. After about 2007-08, the failure rate was so bad I couldn't afford to buy them anymore - for time's sake alone. Some would blow the seal at the initial charge. I went to Sanden and Seltec's exclusively after that and with about 20-25 units bought/installed, had one I returned for a noisy clutch. Otherwise it worked fine. Of course, the major deal with swapping one out is a new drier and (if applicable) a new orifice tube. Both are cheap and usually required by the compressor manufacturer for any warranty.
rustytoolss, your first post didn't say "Sanden style compressor". I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. Real Sandens are not that much more expensive then the knock off's. Buy the real one. I've never had a problem with a real Sanden.
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