Air Con is out.......

[WP4S4]

So my air con went out and I took it in to get it looked at. The mechanic told me it was the drive shaft for it had gone out and that I needed to get it replaced. In doing so he said I should also do the timing chain n such while the engine is dropped. I currently have about 86xxx miles on it and it runs fine. I dont have any desire to drop 11k (his estimate to do everything, also a dealer) if I can suffer without Air Con for a while.
Im now in the San Jose area and looking for a local mechanic if anyone has one that they trust!
Anyways.... my question is does anyone know if not getting that shaft replaced will damage the car in any way if I leave it alone till around 100k (Maybe this time next year) when Im thinking about getting the chain done?
Or does anyone have any suggestions for what to do in this situation or any other solutions? Open to any ideas!

Thank you!

[924Carrera]

The driveshaft probably failed because the compressor seized up. You can drive around with it broken like that if you don't mind the lack of AC.

[stmcknig]

You don't have to drop the engine out to replace the AC compressor - you have to take the front clip off. My compressor replacement cost me about four hours labor plus the parts.

[2004B6S4]

well it's more than just removing the front clip, it is quite a big job. but it doesn't require a motor pull. doing timing at the same time would prob be a good idea but isn't absolutely necessary and I don't think I'd pay for someone else to do it if it doesn't show any signs that it's needed yet

[stmcknig]

well it's more than just removing the front clip, it is quite a big job. but it doesn't require a motor pull. doing timing at the same time would prob be a good idea but isn't absolutely necessary and I don't think I'd pay for someone else to do it if it doesn't show any signs that it's needed yet

Yeah not sure where my brain added "clip" to taking the front off. But still it's nowhere near the amount of work that would make me agree "oh yeah while you're in there might as well do the timing service" - look at the number of book hours for the engine pull and replace - something like 40 ? Now while they were replacing my compressor, my shop took care of an oil leak where the filter housing meets the block...but it never crossed my mind to say do the timing too...