A/C broke!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 167
Likes: 8
From: Blythewood S.C.
St. Jude Donor '14
A/C broke!!!
Have a '78 L82, 4 speed and the clutch on the A/C compressor is bad to the point that it is very loose and actually wobbles when you move it by hand. Of course , the drive belt was removed long ago and now with HOT S.C. weather real close, naturally my thoughts turn to how nice it would be to have some A/C in the car. My question is whether the clutch can be replaced on the compressor without changing out the whole compressor. At this point, I don't know if anything else on the A/C system is good or not and hate to spend a lot on replacing the compressor just to find out a lot more problems with the A/C system. What tests can be done to determine the condition of the system before changing out the compressor or clutch???? Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Niagara Falls ON
You would need to put a vacuum on the system in order to see if it holds vacuum. If it doesn't then you know that there are other problems. The seals could be leaking or there could be a hole in something expensive or hard to get at.
Thankfully the tool that you need for putting a vacuum on the system is available at Harbor Freight. Use that with a compressor.
Or, take it to a shop that can do this.
If you have no leaks you can change out the clutch but if you look at the price of the clutch it really is more cost effective to buy a rebuilt compressor from some place like Advance or Autozone. You could check e-bay or your favorite Corvette supplier.
If the system can hold a vacuum then release the pressure and then make sure to clean it out properly if you are going to retro fit it to R134A..but that is another topic.
Thankfully the tool that you need for putting a vacuum on the system is available at Harbor Freight. Use that with a compressor.
Or, take it to a shop that can do this.
If you have no leaks you can change out the clutch but if you look at the price of the clutch it really is more cost effective to buy a rebuilt compressor from some place like Advance or Autozone. You could check e-bay or your favorite Corvette supplier.
If the system can hold a vacuum then release the pressure and then make sure to clean it out properly if you are going to retro fit it to R134A..but that is another topic.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
There's not a lot you can do.
If the comp clutch is bad, then chances are the comp isn't far off. They weren't the greatest to start with. I wouldn't waste time and money with it.
To convert to 134, changing hoses is recommended, as well as a modern condenser.
You can vacuum the system and fill with nitrogen and see if it holds a charge.
If you use 12 and loose it, then that can add up pretty quickly too.
I would suggest for 134, updating the compressor, changing condenser and hoses to suit and you should have a well operating system.
or
Update compressor, flush and use 12.
I guess you should really decide if you really want air first, it costs one way or the other.
If the comp clutch is bad, then chances are the comp isn't far off. They weren't the greatest to start with. I wouldn't waste time and money with it.
To convert to 134, changing hoses is recommended, as well as a modern condenser.
You can vacuum the system and fill with nitrogen and see if it holds a charge.
If you use 12 and loose it, then that can add up pretty quickly too.
I would suggest for 134, updating the compressor, changing condenser and hoses to suit and you should have a well operating system.
or
Update compressor, flush and use 12.
I guess you should really decide if you really want air first, it costs one way or the other.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,685
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
I updated my system to a system from Nostalgic Air Parts.
Much cheaper then replacing original parts.
Much cheaper then replacing original parts.
