A/C compressor or clutch?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
A/C compressor or clutch?
88 coupe with 90k miles. The other night smoke starting pouring out from under the hood; I determined that it only did it with the a/c on. After I got home I opened the hood and watched while my wife turned the switch to a/c; the compressor appeared to not turn. I can grab the the wheel that the serp belt goes across and turn it freely.
I am wondering if my compressor is shot or just the clutch.
I am wondering if my compressor is shot or just the clutch.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 0
From: Byron Center MI
Is the front part of the clutch spinning with the pulley? If not try to spin the front part of the pulley. If it turns freely with a little resistance the smoke is probably coming from the coil of the clutch. If the front part of the pulley does not spin freely your compressor is seezed. I had the coil on my compressor fail after 100,000 miles. Hope this helps. Tim
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
The front part of the pulley spins freely.
So, if that means that my problem is the clutch, how big a deal is that to replace? Can a newbie do it or should I just take to my local a/c shop?
Thanks for the help!
So, if that means that my problem is the clutch, how big a deal is that to replace? Can a newbie do it or should I just take to my local a/c shop?
Thanks for the help!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 275
Likes: 13
From: South Bend, Indiana
Same thing happened to my '88 a couple of years ago. The pulley got so hot that it was starting to melt the belt. I thought the compressor had locked up so I bought a rebuilt. Finding one was a task at that time because the Nippondenso's were hard to find. Before I put on the rebuilt compressor, I found that the old compressor would rotate by hand and the burning clutch was caused by excessive cycling caused by low freon. Unfortuneately, a burning clutch can also take out the front seal of the compressor. Before I changed anything, I tried adding freon and the system cooled perfectly. I didn't change the clutch or compressor and it works great to this day with no leaks. Evidently the clutch was still usable. Guess I lucked out for once.
