Just got back from a 3300+ mile trip to Florida and back. With the repairs, things were going great, until I found that my repair to the compressor wasn't going so well. That was followed up by what looks to be a failure of the clutch. I'm throwing in the towel and just installing a new compressor. Unfortunately, I don't see the OEM compressor for sale anywhere, and ordered a Nissen. There's some foreboding in there knowing that it isn't going to be as good as the OEM Sanden. Does anyone know where to get one?
In other news, having the a/c out is really inconvenient when you're in the middle of a tropical rain storm, too bloody hot to not have windows open a slice and the fan in the hvac going, but the windscreen fogging. It is devilishly difficult to see because of the 2+ inch per hour rain rate, and having the window fogging only makes it worse. I finally was able to pull off and apply some anti-fog to the inside of the front windscreen, and that helped a lot. If you don't already know, that anti-fog is also called detergent, and my choice was a dab of clear shampoo because that is what I had. Dishwashing liquid also works well. If you read the labels closely, you will usually find out it is the same chemical anyway (usually sodium laurylsulfate or sodium laurethsulfate).
Also one thing learned: if you don't have the time or wherewithal to change those snow tires out for a long road trip, do it anyway. Snow tires at highway speeds will leave you abused and give you permanent hearing loss. Or at least, leave you really grumpy at the other end of your trip because of the noise induced headaches. Yuck!!
So now I find that I'm unsure again if my CV joint swap was completely successful. I'll have to check it out with some real road tires and see what is what. And I have found that the new Moog springs I installed have raised the Golf. Not really what I had in mind, but since there were very few choices available at the time, these are what I bought. I'll have to think about what I want in the end and see. I always have the option of installing these in the Jettachero and buying more appropriate springs for the Golf.
Anyway, for the next 2 months, I'm still trying to throw away stuff and move. Ugh, it is not fun at all. If you want some Mk IV wheels, Golf fenders, or some other stuff at giveaway prices, come get them.
Cheers,
PH