Obsolescence

As technology advances and we expect more and more to be part of everything we have around us as standard, we are kicking ourselves in the shin and most of us are not even aware of it. Everything these days is made with built in obsolescence. Simple machines like can openers and toasters to more complex ones like televisions and automobiles. Which brings me to my rant for the day.

I was in my car the other day and it started to emit a sound like I had gravel inside of the engine. I revved the engine and it would change sound frequency and almost disappear. There was no loss of power or hesitation in running, just the gravel noise. My first thought, and I am no mechanic, was the water pump was going. It was parked and then taken to the garage today. I was close in the proximity of the part that was failing, but it was not the water pump, it was the A/C compressor.

It is November, what do I need A/C for right now, can we bypass it? Not really...

Back in the day, you could get shorter belts and bypass the compressor, as A/C was an option and was added if the buyer wanted it. Now try and find a vehicle that does not come with A/C. So a bypass is not an option, we must replace the compressor. Why would it be simple and repairable....

They are not cheap, and the sub frame must be removed to get to it (lots of labor= more money). Thankfully I have a great group of mechanics and we found a good used one in working order, saving me abut 60% on the total cost. This will allow me to have A/C, and a car, for the winter.

I was told by the garage that this is an American thing, that if the car was built for other markets around the world, A/C is still an option, so a bypass would have been doable. But we are Americans and just not that smart.

Of course most never have deal with this because as a country as we don't drive vehicles long enough to have 'durable' parts fail, we just send them to the junk yard as being obsolete.