Moraine:

Thanks for your helpful comments. I visited the recommended web page and was directed to the black death discussion you referenced.

I am going to roll the dice since I have already purchased a rebuilt compressor.

This is my son's car. Due to my lack of discipline, I purchased a $5,600 car that now has ingested $11k of my $$$. I would have bought him a new civic if I had understood the reality of these cars. At least he loved the car - and me too, hopefully!