Faulty Car part - Claim for hire car missed holiday

Fosterdog

zharp wrote: »

Do you think I would be posting this if it was just the air con not working? As I said the RAC had to tow the car.

Sadly I'm not a mind reader so I can only comment based on the little detail you've given us so far. Unless you want to elaborate more and give more details you are unlikely to get any differing answers.

As you quoted me and responded I'm assuming you read my reply, what about speaking to your travel insurance, they may cover it, although possibly not if you didn't contact them at the time.

shaun_from_Africa

TadleyBaggie wrote: »

However the pulley on the compressor should be freewheeling until the compressor clutch is engaged. So a seized compressor shouldn't affect anything as long as the A/C isn't turned on.

So the car should be perfectly drivable.

Even if the aircon isn't turned on, the freewheeling pully will still be rotating in a bearing and if this bearing has seized or gone stiff, it would still affect the accessory belt and everything driven by it.

neilmcl

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Leaving aside the obvious wear and tear, that's very expensive in fuel use. Do you live in a hot country?

No it's not. Leaving the aircon switched on will actually prolong the life of the system and it really doesn't cost that much to run.

George_Michael

Modern airconditioner units are pretty much the same as modern refrigerators (as they operate in just about the same way).
20 years ago, the compressors for both of these were big, not very energy efficient and not overly reliable.


The compressors in use today are smaller, therefore needing less energy to operate them and the systems themselves use less refrigerant, again, leading to less energy usage.

[Deleted User]

neilmcl wrote: »

No it's not. Leaving the aircon switched on will actually prolong the life of the system and it really doesn't cost that much to run.

I switch it on whenever required, the fuel gauge tells me that it DOES cost more to run.

I'd certainly never leave it running permanently.

takman

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

I switch it on whenever required, the fuel gauge tells me that it DOES cost more to run.

I'd certainly never leave it running permanently.

On my car it is designed to be running constantly and to turn it off you have to go into a menu on the cars computer. Even with it on constantly i still get more MPG thay what the manufacturers specification says. It also means my car screen never steams up when I'm going alone. Plus my Aircon never needs to be serviced and it is still as cold as the day I bought it. So the small cost in fuel is worth it to save the big cost of recharging it and repairing it when it breaks due to dried up seals!.

Undervalued

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

I switch it on whenever required, the fuel gauge tells me that it DOES cost more to run.

I'd certainly never leave it running permanently.

I think that concept is rather out of date.

Fine if you keep the windows closed you will save a little fuel but opening a window increases drag and reduces the mpg more than the air conditioning.

NotRichAtAll

Me thinks you have no idea and the RAC have dupped you into thinking the cars gonna blow up.You said it was the compressor, surely the RAC or now a garage have given you a full diagnostic of whats wrong.

did the car grind to halt juddering and spluttering?
did it overheat?
did it clunk and clank?
or did you get hot n sweaty and decide to call the RAC?

On my car it is designed to be running constantly and to turn it off you have to go into a menu on the cars computer. Even with it on constantly i still get more MPG thay what the manufacturers specification says. It also means my car screen never steams up when I'm going alone. Plus my Aircon never needs to be serviced and it is still as cold as the day I bought it. So the small cost in fuel is worth it to save the big cost of recharging it and repairing it when it breaks due to dried up seals!.

this above is how i use mine too

[Deleted User]

Undervalued wrote: »

opening a window increases drag and reduces the mpg more than the air conditioning.

I am aware of this. As I said, I use the air con when necessary, but I don't open a window instead.

I'm just not paying extra to run a noisy and (often) uncomfortable driving experience.

Perhaps your cars are very different to mine?

Regardless, this has very little to do with the garage's "liability" for the cost of the Op's holiday!:eek:

takman

zharp wrote: »

I have told you!

Considering that other people have explained how a broken compressor wouldn't have damaged the car you need to explain more.

How exactly would driving the car have caused it damage?. If you can't even answer this most basic question then how can you justify the cost of a hire car?