I have a 1994 LT 1 and a week ago I was on a trip and I noticed a smell going down the hi-way like somebody had left their parking brake on. The smell went away and I thought it was somebody in front of me and I must have passed them. I left the hi-way and got on it as I entered another hi-way the smell was back. The A/C was not blowing cold air either. I turned off the A/C and rolled down the window and finished the trip this way. After the car cooled off I tried it again it seemed to work normal.
A week later the smell was stronger and I poped the hood and the A/C clutch was smoking and spitting out what I assume to be clutch material.
I'm in the process of buying a new compressor w/clutch and receiver dryer. I believe the compressor is binding up causing the clutch to slip and burn up.
I'm concerened that there could possibly be some other problems that could cause this (defective expansion valve?).
1. What other problems should I check out?
2. Any reccomendation on brand to purchase and from who(and brands to stay away from)?
3. Does new compressor come with oil,if not how much oil to add?
4. How much freon does the system hold?
I do have acces to gages and vacuum pump. I copied the temp/pressure chart I saw in another thread.
At this time I'm seperated about 800 miles from my FSM's thanks to the economy. Just happy to find another job.
Thanks in advance for all help.
Eric

 

Can't help with most of your questions (hopefully Suncr or someone else with more AC knowledge will respond).

However, can offer the following thoughts/info:

1. presume it's not just the clutch, which can be replaced, along with the front seals.

2. 1994 LT1 (per FSM and likely the label on/in the engine compartment) notes:
'refrigerant charge' = 0.91 kg (2.0 lb)
'oil charge' = 240 ml (8 fluid ounces)

best of luck...

 

It sounds like your having the same problem I had. I don't know if you have already bought the new compressor, but I don't think you need it. Like you, I also thought my compressor was seizing up. But after I looked closer at the A/C clutch plate, I could tell what was really going on. The clutch plate consists of the outer metal ring (which has the clutch surface that contacts the A/C pully), an inner metal piece (which holds the whole clutch plate assembly to the compressor) and a rubber ring that joins the two pieces and allows the outer ring to move in and out to engage/disengage the A/C clutch.

What happens is, the rubber ring starts deteriorating and heat starts affecting it. It gets soft in the heat and the outer ring starts slipping on the rubber ring, creating the smoke and obviously the compressor doesn't turn when it does this. When it cools down, it sticks to the outer ring again and the A/C works for awhile. After several cycles of doing this, pretty soon the rubber doesn't hold anymore even when cold.

I bet all you need is another A/C clutch plate (the black plate-thing that bolts to the front of the compressor). Try turning the compressor by hand, it will have some resistance, but should turn somewhat easily. If it does, your compressor is probably fine.

Contact OneRareZ16, he may have another A/C clutch plate he could sell you. I bought one from him and now my A/C works great again. Would be much cheaper than buying a whole new clutch/pully assembly which will run you around $200. A whole compressor is even more, around $500 or more I think.