AC Compressor fried?????
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: Greenville, SC
AC Compressor fried?????
Hello Forum Members, I have a '79 L48 Vette and I might have a big problem. I took my car to get detailed at a local detailer two weeks ago. I had them clean the engine so that it would be clean for the new year. My AC was working great before I took the car in but now when I turn on my AC the compressor stops spinning and the belt make a horrendous squealing noise. The AC compressor turns freely when it's off but freezes up when the AC is turned on. I'm thinking that the Compressor got wet and then "shorts out" when the AC is turned on. I drove the car around for a couple hours thinking that the heat from the engine would dry out the Compressor but to no avail. I let the car sit for a week, once again to let the compressor dry out but it still is happening.
Any ideas on my next step?
Do I need to replace my compressor?
Thanks in advance for any and all responses.
Phil
Any ideas on my next step?
Do I need to replace my compressor?
Thanks in advance for any and all responses.
Phil
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
Did they detail the engine? If so, my guess is they used something to make the belts pretty that is causing the ac belt to slip.
Me...Id cut the ac belt off, lightly sand the ac pulley, and put a new ( quality, non el cheapo stretch out) belt on, and my guess is your ac will work.
Also, your ac compressor is a closed system, unless it was leaking beforehand, there is no way they could have gotten water into the compressor.
Me...Id cut the ac belt off, lightly sand the ac pulley, and put a new ( quality, non el cheapo stretch out) belt on, and my guess is your ac will work.
Also, your ac compressor is a closed system, unless it was leaking beforehand, there is no way they could have gotten water into the compressor.
Last edited by Mashman; Mar 4, 2014 at 10:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: Greenville, SC
Well, I got to thinking about my belt more thinking it was loose. I went and adjusted the belt tension and still the same problem. Well sort of..... there was no more squealing but the clutch started to smoke after a couple seconds. Could the compressor be frozen???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Sounds like the compressor locked up
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
If the pulley and the drive sides of the belt have been cleaned well (lacquer thinner, etc.) and it still is 'locked up', the front bearing in your compressor or the compressor components are likely frozen. Just make sure you have exhausted the possibility that the belt and pulley aren't the cause of the problem.
Once you remove (cut off) the old belt and the engine is OFF, you can jumper 12vdc to the compressor clutch [ONLY] and manually try to rotate the compressor. If it is still locked up, compressor repair is needed.
Once you remove (cut off) the old belt and the engine is OFF, you can jumper 12vdc to the compressor clutch [ONLY] and manually try to rotate the compressor. If it is still locked up, compressor repair is needed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
- with 7T1Assuming that the "AC was working great before I took the car in", I don't see how the detailing could have affected the compressor. A siezed compressor is caused by running it without lubricant. And since the lubricant is in the refrigerant, and since the "AC was working great", then it is not out of refrigerant/lubricant, I don't see how it could have siezed up.
Do as 7T1 has said, and jumper 12V to the compressor to lock up the clutch, and see if turning the pulley by hand, turns the compressor. If it does, then it's not siezed, and the problem is with belt/pulley.
