The prognosis came in today. The service rep recommended replacement of the compressor. As expected, the price is in the "GET OUTTA HERE!" category. "... For a while there, that sounded like TWO-THOUSAND-TWO-HUNDRED-DOLLARS ... "

in short, i decided to not have it replaced, as we only have 3months of warm weather here in canada. It's just that i do most of my long-distance driving in the summer ...

i would rather spend the money to improve the handling and braking ...