AC Clutch Burnt?
AC Clutch Burnt?
While we were on vacation this week I started hearing some funny bearing noises coming from front of engine area. Couldn't pin point the problem and I only heard it when the motor was cold. I was hoping to get through the ret of the vacation until I smelt somethin burning. With the engine off I noticed smoke coming from the clutch of the AC compressor. So I cut the belt to the AC and continued the vacation. But now its time to deal with it. Is there a bearing in the clutch that is replacable or is this gonna be another $1000 repair. Please give any heads up to this situation. I live in Florida and wont need the AC for a little while. Will give me a chance to round up parts from Joe.
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Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
Ac compressors fail from owner abuse in not changing the compressor oil and filter [receiver dryer] at reasonable intervals to assure at least 200,000 miles /10-14 years of life.
Failure to cycle the system weekly [at least every 2 weeks] in winter will allow stagnation of oil against the compressor seals.
When ever the compressor is changed make sure the entire system is flushed multiple times and the receiver dryer is changed.
Best to have the components isolated, taken apart so that the evap, and condenser, and all line are individually flushed.
$1,000 is cheap if the above proceedure is followed to optimize the next life cycle.
Assuming this is original compressor, that would be 11+ years of use...........almost triple the 4 year warranty.
The factory compressors come with the clutch attached as one unit. Many/most of the cheapo chain remans won't last a year if you don't do the system flush and multiple dryer oil purge and refill.
Failure to cycle the system weekly [at least every 2 weeks] in winter will allow stagnation of oil against the compressor seals.
When ever the compressor is changed make sure the entire system is flushed multiple times and the receiver dryer is changed.
Best to have the components isolated, taken apart so that the evap, and condenser, and all line are individually flushed.
$1,000 is cheap if the above proceedure is followed to optimize the next life cycle.
Assuming this is original compressor, that would be 11+ years of use...........almost triple the 4 year warranty.
The factory compressors come with the clutch attached as one unit. Many/most of the cheapo chain remans won't last a year if you don't do the system flush and multiple dryer oil purge and refill.
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Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
I would take everything apart [not remove it from its locations and use some of the BG Commercial flushes as R12 is way to expensive to waste as a flush. Besides being a FELONY to release in air!Members don't realize that the AC machines will remove a couple of ounces of the oil so you can change dryer, add oil, circulate, vacuum down add oil...........repeat 4-5 times and do a good job of cleaning thing out. BEFORE THE COMPRESSOR FAILS!
http://www.bgprod.com/bgprofes....html
http://www.bgprod.com/bgprofes....html
Not R-12, R-11. R-11 was used as a cleaning agent for refrigerant systems when a compressor shorted and burnt the oil in the compressor. It is basicly a degreaser that flashes off when the system is under vaccumm. The BG products sound like the correct material to use considering the envirnomental aspects of industrial cleaners. Thanks for the advice. Will be calling Joe tomorrow for prices on the compressor.