Hello all,
First post, pardon me if I am posting to the wrong thread.
Monday, 05/30, mechanic told me that A/C belt is broken and need to be fixed for $1K. I thought of getting a second opinion from the dealer - so drove to the dealer 25miles away from home (close to work).
After 23miles, the engine light was blinking and "Drive" light was blinking.
Later car stalled and got it towed to the dealer.
Dealer says...
- A/C is broken
- Transmission is broken based on the codes
- Radiator fluid is all dried up
- Engine head gasket may be gone too

Options (worst case scenario): -
- Get A/C for $1K
- Most likely get a new Transmission for $3.5K
- Head gasket for $2K

I have asked the dealer whether they can change the transmission fluid and if that will be ok, I can drive the car for a month or so (without A/C) and transmission holds up, I can replace the A/C.

But the dealer says w/o A/C one cannot drive as the same belt for A/C drives the water pump too.
Is this true?
Dealer is going beyond his duty call and offered to get a refurbished A/C compressor to save $300.

Any recommendations from the experts...

Thanks

 

I'm not familiar with the hybrid and whether A/C failure would lead to overheating. But almost always after you drive a car overheated until it will go no more, the engine is toast. The whole engine will need to be replaced.