Anyone have experience with Sanden “style” compressors? Amazon & EBay both have them at a good price point and with good reviews. You have to read these ads carefully to realize it’s not a true Sanden. Just curious if anyone has tried them out? I’m wanting to ditch the R4 growler and replace it with a Sanden.
I have been told that they don't last long and to buy a real one. Which I did. Probably like most off shore cheap junk, you get what you pay for if you are lucky.
That's the wrong place to save $100, given the cost of cleaning out the system, replacing the receiver/dryer, and recharging.
This is where I remember my dad buying too many "almost as good as" things. Some things you can cut corners on but if a cheap ac compressor craps out it isn't going to be cheap to fix things and get the system back in shape.
Considering what it would cost to replace the compressor with a Sanden and recharge the system if that knock off compressor takes a crap, I'd say you're not saving anything.
I've used knockoffs with good success but from parts house vendors. I also don't run them year around. I will be the 1st to say that if the part is way cheaper than the original, something is probably going to fail. I have more trouble with starters than ac compressors.
There is another name brand which I can’t think of right now that sell a Sanden Style AC compressor. Sanyo? Samsung? Hell, I can’t remember, know it also starts with an S. Anyway, I’ve ran them with good luck.
FYI.. I spoke at length with the Vintage Air tech specialist. Sharp guy. It’s semi difficult to find an actual Sanden. Even the Sanden site shows examples of counterfeit compressors and packaging. He also mentioned that Sanden has one other vendor. TCI makes compressors for Sanden built to Sanden specs. It’s like what AC Delco is to GM. So yep, I’ll be purchasing a true Sanden.
The Jalopy Journal
