Did something dumb today.
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Did something dumb today.
Well, only one thing that I know of, anyway...
The A/C has been out for a while. With help from the forum, I narrowed it down to a loss of refrigerant charge. Recharging is beyond what I have tools to do (specifically a gauge set), so I took it to a shop to have them take a look.
They determined that the condensor was shot, and gave me an estimate. Having previously replaced the radiator, I offered to pay them for their time (which they graciously declined) and bring it back once I replaced the condensor, which they said they were fine with.
So this morning, I undid the 4 panel fasteners on the top, the 6 on the bottom, the two screws, and tugged the bumper cover free. And if you've done this before, you already know where this is going.
Yup, I forgot to remove the bolts in the wheel well. Since it's a pretty good tug to release the clips, I ripped the tabs those bolts go through clean off.
F*ck.
So then, two questions:
1) Does this matter?
2) If so, can anybody recommend a junkyard parts search service?
On 2, I'm having no luck finding bumper covers of any color in any of New England (I'm in the Boston area), let alone trying to find one that matches our paint code. Which, by the way, we have what seems to be an unusual one: Tango Red Pearl.
Thanks. Advice and empathy welcomed, ridicule accepted; I really should have watched another youtube video instead of trusting my memory
But hey, the new condensor is in, so there's that?
The A/C has been out for a while. With help from the forum, I narrowed it down to a loss of refrigerant charge. Recharging is beyond what I have tools to do (specifically a gauge set), so I took it to a shop to have them take a look.
They determined that the condensor was shot, and gave me an estimate. Having previously replaced the radiator, I offered to pay them for their time (which they graciously declined) and bring it back once I replaced the condensor, which they said they were fine with.
So this morning, I undid the 4 panel fasteners on the top, the 6 on the bottom, the two screws, and tugged the bumper cover free. And if you've done this before, you already know where this is going.
Yup, I forgot to remove the bolts in the wheel well. Since it's a pretty good tug to release the clips, I ripped the tabs those bolts go through clean off.
F*ck.
So then, two questions:
1) Does this matter?
2) If so, can anybody recommend a junkyard parts search service?
On 2, I'm having no luck finding bumper covers of any color in any of New England (I'm in the Boston area), let alone trying to find one that matches our paint code. Which, by the way, we have what seems to be an unusual one: Tango Red Pearl.
Thanks. Advice and empathy welcomed, ridicule accepted; I really should have watched another youtube video instead of trusting my memory
But hey, the new condensor is in, so there's that?
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
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Re: Did something dumb today.
Carefully placed 4 inch deck screws could hold the corners in LOL
Plastic weld or glue/epoxy the ripped out loops, or add plastic material to make some?
They might even stay in place for a while without extra help, depending.
Local junkyard? U-pull-it yard?
www.car-part.com
Plastic weld or glue/epoxy the ripped out loops, or add plastic material to make some?
They might even stay in place for a while without extra help, depending.
Local junkyard? U-pull-it yard?
www.car-part.com
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 518 Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 74
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Rep Power: 133 Re: Did something dumb today.
Carefully placed 4 inch deck screws could hold the corners in LOL
The nearest bumper cover on there is 180 miles away, which is a bummer. I haven't tried calling around locally, because I suspect I'm looking for a unicorn part (undamaged bumper cover in what seems to be a rare color in a junkyard? seems unlikely) and I'm not looking to paint one.
I like the plastic weld idea, and I was thinking maybe I'd reinforce it on the back side with fiberglass.
Failing that, I'll get some of those bumper ties to dress up the 4 inch deck screws
Honestly, I was hoping everybody would just tell me those were optional fasteners. You know, like that dad wisdom when you have parts left over: "If they were important, it would have been obvious where to put 'em when we were puttin' it back together".
Edited to add:
Oh, and I'm happy to report that I took the car to a shop today. They charged the system, checked it for leaks, and now the A/C works. Hooray. Thanks to everybody who has posted in a "My A/C doesn't work" thread, including mine, for the various tips that led to this getting fixed.
Last edited by juror; Aug 1, 2017 at 07:29 PM. Reason: Add the exciting conclusion to the A/C saga.
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Rep Power: 511 Re: Did something dumb today.
there was a point in time where my front bumper cover was held on only by the bracket thingamabobs under the headlights and the 4 bumper clips on the radiator cover. You'll be fine.
I don't even think I have screws on those tabs as my car sits right now. Just the 4 bumper clips on the radiator cover and 3 or 5 bumper clips on the bottom.
I don't even think I have screws on those tabs as my car sits right now. Just the 4 bumper clips on the radiator cover and 3 or 5 bumper clips on the bottom.
