A/C compressor seized up, any fix?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
From: MONTREAL QUEBEC
A/C compressor seized up, any fix?
Hi my 71 has been sitting for a year and when I went to start it, the A/C compressor has seized up from not being used in so long. I removed the belt and the car runs fine but i can't even spin the compressor by hand. Is there a simple way to free the pulley without a complete disassembly? Please let me know.
Thanks
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Hi my 71 has been sitting for a year and when I went to start it, the A/C compressor has seized up from not being used in so long. I removed the belt and the car runs fine but i can't even spin the compressor by hand. Is there a simple way to free the pulley without a complete disassembly? Please let me know.
Thanks
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Warrensburg MO
Is the pulley not spinning freely with the belt removed? Without the air on, and clutch engaged, the pulley should spin separately from the compressor. Maybe I am not understanding the problem. If the pulley isn't spinning with the air off, then it sounds like a pulley bearing problem. If it locks up with the air on, then you will need to replace the compressor more than likely. As stated before, they are reasonably priced. Cheers.
TommyJ
TommyJ
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
From: MONTREAL QUEBEC
Tommy, I guess i didn't explain the situation correctly, but even with the belt off the pulley is not turning. When the belt was on it just smoked on the ac pulley, since the ac pulley is not turning. So I removed the belt for the time being.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Warrensburg MO
OK, then as stated earlier, see if the compressor itself will turn. You should be able to turn it by turning the clutch in front of the pulley, or a socket on the front nut. See what happens.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
The pulley turns on a seperate bearing than the internal workings of the compressor. It's not unheard of for that bearing to go bad and the symptoms are exactlly as you describe. You need to determine if it's actually the compressor or just the front bearing. It's only money- a $12 bearing or $180 for a new compressor + the evac and recharge.
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