Frankly I don’t see what help she got,except from me telling her how to better relate what happened so as that her mechanic could do a better job. Some don’t realise just how difficult it is at times trying to figure out what the general public is saying is wrong with their car. Saying “I don’t know, car go BOOM” and I have these pieces" just is not enough,espically for people through the internet to be much help. What other help did she get comming here?. When she came all she knew was how to spread drama. She did not know it was important to be able to relate what was being done on your car prior to the “trouble” and she did learn that expansion valves don’t often explode,if ever, so perhaps she could teach a thing or two and come back with a picture of hers cracked in half. Now there would be one for the books.
What she got was a lot of flack, and a couple helpful hints to describe it to her local mechanic. He, in turn, listened, asked the appropriate questions, and repaired the damage (I can assume that, anyway).
We’ll never know if it was repaired as warranty for the previous work (the Oops! We messed up factor) or if it was all something she had to pay for.
She may be smart as heck, or a complete dumb blonde (not to insult blondes). Clearly she’s well spoken, or at least gifted in the art of writing. Either way, she was trying to relate a story and how SHE felt about it. Not how we think she should have felt. AND, to top all that, she did some research on her own to try and help US pinpoint what the problem might have been. I think she did great.
Chase
I missed the part where we pinpointed the problem,could you explain that part again, it surley wasn’t anything to do with the expansion valve. Now if I saw a picture of one cracked,that would help. Sure would like to know what work was done the first and second times,I hope she now realises that it is important to mention that kind of stuff.
Explosions only exist in the mind of the writer? Impala 61, you have never worked in a car shop?
When a tire explodes off a rim, how would you describe it?
When an A/C line explodes, how would you describe it?
When a drag car explodes, how would you describe it?
Most people use the word “explodes” when a loud noise is heard and object/parts go flying through the air.
oldwrench, no impala61 has never worked in a shop (unless it was in a non-mechanical sense, I am just sure of that) but it was me saying that the explosion in this case was only in the mind of the writer. Can you say you have see a parked cars (engine off) expansion valve explode? I have had customers come in claiming they thing they “blew” a radiator hose and it was an AC line that finaly let go, just a big cloud of steam looking stuff.
I don’t want readers to think that it is common for parked cars to explode and parts to go flying (unless you happen to play with the wrong type of people). That is the exception I am taking. The OP was very long on dramatic description but very short on telling us what repairs happened previously and at the present time. My goal was to impress on people that the dialogue should be reversed. If you want us to be able to help via the internet, leave the drama out but please include details about what was being worked on,what type of mistake the shop made, this is the kind of information that is helpful. I do agree if you see a post with “explosion” in the title it does take your eye to it and makes it so you want to read that post but it does not help solve the problem,espically when you leave out service history, that is the point I am trying to get across, give us the details but leave out the drama. We get this at times when people want to describe an accident and they want to make sure it is understood that the accident was not their fault, as if it matters at all in regards to what repair advice I give, it does not.I just let impala61 rant on as his goal is to stir up trouble, not improve anything for anyone. I may be a bit “short” with my conclusion on if the OP is rambling on with information that is not helpful but my overall goal is to teach people how to speak with their mechanic as I think this is the key into there being less reports or impressions “that my mechanic ripped me off”. If you can relate the story better I firmly believe you will get better service. It is sad but I do think there are mechanics that rate their chances on pulling a fast one based on how “with it” the customer seems to be, that is they conclude this customer is a dunce and I can get away with just about anything, you don’t want to give they mechanic that impression of yourself or your abilities,sad but true.
I’m in agreement with oblivion that the OP probably tired of hearing a grade school argument over what constitutes an explosion.
The OP heard a boom which they heard from inside the house and expected to see the neighbors outside also, there’s shrapnel under the car, and the A/C is discharged. Sounds like a refrigerant explosion to me.
“Frankly I don’t see what help she got,except from me telling her how to better relate what happened so as that her mechanic could do a better job.”
That was actually the least helpful thing she got. What if she said “I heard a noise”? Then you’d be haranguing her to describe the noise. As it is, she was there and YOU WERE NOT THERE. Also, now you’ve got her “claiming [her] car exploded” which she most emphatically did not. Why don’t you give it a rest?
You don’t come across as “short” (you’re actually quite longwinded in your assessment of the OP’s faults) but rather as a cranky old man with one story to tell, over and over. I’m sure that’s not the impression you intend to create.
It should be noted that the OP thanked me. Did she thank you?
impalla61,the OP could be two 15 year olds laughing out loud, don’t let “thank you’s” pump you up too awful much, same for put downs,don’t take them very seriously either.
Yeah Old School, I agree. I do admit I missed the “car in carport” part. Its possible the A/C hose rubbed on something else or was weak and blew apart.
The noise and panic is in the eye of the beholder.
The thing is the car was just in for AC service then had to go back for a repair (perhaps related to the first visit,perhaps not). These are the two visits to the mechanic I would like to know more about, but for some reason our OP does not want to explain. Then she asks “what on Earth is going on” I have to say, you are not telling us enough to tell you what is going on. I will admit that including “explosion” in the title of your post will get it read by more people, but will not help answer the question you asked at the end of your post “what on Earth is going on”?
You sure spent a lot of keystrokes on two 15 year olds.
“Disappointed by the fruitless efforts he’d made to get the grapes that day, he said, with a shrug, to comfort himself, “Oh, they were probably sour anyway!”” -Aesop
It is that you just never know about postings like this,are they just seeing who they can snag (trolling) or did things really happen like described? This possibility is why I look at details of postings to see if they make sense. Believe it or not, some people find enjoyment in seeing how much trouble they can stir up rather than actually helping solve an industry wide problem which is poor comunication with the person writing up the repair order. I have recieved so many repair orders that needed explaination and most often the Advisor reports that they must write them up just as the customer relates. The OP returning and clearing things up would go a long way. Just so you don’t worry too much, I have plenty of keystrokes saved up and I plan on using all of them.
The only thing I can say at this point, is that I wouldn’t blame Judith if she’s run screaming away from this board, never to return at this point.
If that’s the only thing you can say, you’re not really trying.
It would be of benifit to your case if an explaniation never comes but it would clearly be of a benifit to others if it is explained how a car (or the car’s AC system) could explode after just being in service, and with the engine shut off.
As an OP you post a pretty wild claim then head for the hills when the smallest level of explaination, clairification, service history is asked for, that is just not right.
Hi I just googled this topic and as a mechanic for 25 years I had what I call a freak accident my mom owns a Mercedes sl55 and her ac didn’t work weather was over 100 degrees nonetheless I replaced her receiver dryer thinking her ac had an issue with that Nonetheless as I applied Freon 3 seconds after that the receiver dryer exploded and as a result it took 80 percent of my hand clean cut So my reason for agreeeing with everyone in this site ac systems can explode like a grenade
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Hi I have a Mercedes sl55 Amg and I replaced the receiver dryer as I put 1/2 can of Freon in the empty system the receiver dryer exploded and took my fingers off This is to be the most craziest mechanical repair in my 30 year experience