Good morning, y'all!

Over the past two weeks I have had the A/C system on my '94 960 replaced. My 'trusted mechanic' replaced the compressor, receiver/dryer, orafice valve & A/C lines using all Volvo parts. I picked the car up on Friday and while sitting on his lot testing the A/C we heard a crunching/grinding sound from the compressor clutch. After quickly shuting down we found A/C lubricant had sprayed out of the safety valve on the top of the compressor all over the back of the alternator and intake housing. The mechanic said this was normal break-in for new components and that is why there is a safety valve. He cleaned it up and said to give it a try over the weekend. One more attempt at cooling off and yet another crunching/grinding sound so I returned to the shop.

The mechanic said that it must be a defective compressor and has order a replacement from his Volvo parts supplier and will replace it in about 10 days. Now, however, the alternator has failed!! Output is only about 10 volts at the battery. Do y'all think that the A/C oil sprayed all over the alternator could have caused this failure or is it just my rotten luck and bad timing?

Thanks,

Hugh