Need A/C advice ... Compressor /Clutch
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: New Port Richey Florida
Need A/C advice ... Compressor /Clutch
Hello,
I need some advice about my 1990 corvette A/C compressor.
last night , my a/c compressor started smoking in the front (clutch) it seems to be sticking and melting plastic? pulley is spinning fine, but got plastic smell burning. car has 100,015 miles and is the original a/c system with r12 freon. I'm not sure if I should replace the whole compressor /dryer and convert to 134a, or repair the clutch? I have found compressors on the net for as low as 249.99 to 999.00 ?? what could be the difference? I'm hoping someone here has had this problem, or knows about the a/c system. Any advice would help to make the right choice in fixing this problem. Thank you in advance ..... Frank
I need some advice about my 1990 corvette A/C compressor.
last night , my a/c compressor started smoking in the front (clutch) it seems to be sticking and melting plastic? pulley is spinning fine, but got plastic smell burning. car has 100,015 miles and is the original a/c system with r12 freon. I'm not sure if I should replace the whole compressor /dryer and convert to 134a, or repair the clutch? I have found compressors on the net for as low as 249.99 to 999.00 ?? what could be the difference? I'm hoping someone here has had this problem, or knows about the a/c system. Any advice would help to make the right choice in fixing this problem. Thank you in advance ..... Frank
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,641
Likes: 2
From: Southern California
I just had a similar thing happen to my '93 LT1 (110k). I bought a new AC Delco Clutch assembly (15-4623) from Auto Parts Tomorrow.com. It cost $266 for a brand new part. I purschased a rebuilt unit for $110 but took it back after discovering a Chinese bearing.
I had burnt black goo thrown around but the belt was 100% intact. The bearing supporting my AC pulley failed and threw its grease (110K and the car sat for a long time ). That caused my smoke; fortunately no compressor damage.
Remove the serp. belt and see if the compressor spins freely. I'm putting money your pulley bearing is shot.
My car is working great now that I replaced my clutch.
I had burnt black goo thrown around but the belt was 100% intact. The bearing supporting my AC pulley failed and threw its grease (110K and the car sat for a long time ). That caused my smoke; fortunately no compressor damage.
Remove the serp. belt and see if the compressor spins freely. I'm putting money your pulley bearing is shot.
My car is working great now that I replaced my clutch.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 580
Likes: 8
From: Clemson SC
On my '88, the clutch bearing went out and caused the serpentine belt to break -- quickly. Only time I have had to call AAA for my Vette. I ended up finding out there were two different compressors that were used in '88s with different size bearings and the clutches are not interchangeable. Since my compressor turned easily with no real noises, I ended up getting a new clutch for about $140 but may have been able to get by with a new bearing for about $20.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: New Port Richey Florida
I just had a similar thing happen to my '93 LT1 (110k). I bought a new AC Delco Clutch assembly (15-4623) from Auto Parts Tomorrow.com. It cost $266 for a brand new part. I purschased a rebuilt unit for $110 but took it back after discovering a Chinese bearing.
I had burnt black goo thrown around but the belt was 100% intact. The bearing supporting my AC pulley failed and threw its grease (110K and the car sat for a long time ). That caused my smoke; fortunately no compressor damage.
Remove the serp. belt and see if the compressor spins freely. I'm putting money your pulley bearing is shot.
My car is working great now that I replaced my clutch.
I had burnt black goo thrown around but the belt was 100% intact. The bearing supporting my AC pulley failed and threw its grease (110K and the car sat for a long time ). That caused my smoke; fortunately no compressor damage.
Remove the serp. belt and see if the compressor spins freely. I'm putting money your pulley bearing is shot.
My car is working great now that I replaced my clutch.
are telling me that I must have another problem which caused this , not to sure. Is yours still ar12 system ? Thank you for the reply
Frank
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,641
Likes: 2
From: Southern California
It wasn't hard to replace. I had to bend one of the aluminum lines about 5mm to fit a pulley remover tool on. i'm not sure how similar our AC setups are. Just be carefull removing the clutch. There are spacers you need to reuse for the new clutch. I could have pressed a new bearing in but my clutch surface was burned.
I'm still on R12. It seriously is like a meat locker, nice and cold. Nothing caused my issue besides the bad bearing. I remember seeing the small splatter marks but thought it was from a detail spray I was using. Then I let it sit, forgot, and destroyed it.
I'm still on R12. It seriously is like a meat locker, nice and cold. Nothing caused my issue besides the bad bearing. I remember seeing the small splatter marks but thought it was from a detail spray I was using. Then I let it sit, forgot, and destroyed it.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 375
Likes: 18
From: Lawrenceville Georgia
On the '88 and up with the Denso compressor the clutch assembly removal does not require a puller. Just remove the 10mm nut in the center and remove it. But, as Raysur stated there are shims on the back side to set the air gap. I suggest having a large pan under the compressor when clutch is removed. Those shims are hard to locate if any is lost!
Joel
Joel
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: New Port Richey Florida
Thank You Guys
Thank you for all the responses , I have the clutch assembly order from auto-parts tomorrow, should have it by tomorrow. I let you all know how I make out after I install it ! Thank you again.
Frank
Frank
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: New Port Richey Florida
Want to thank all the input I received , new clutch is in and it's like a freezer in the cockpit again ! But today , my right headlight won't open all the way ...
have to replace the stupid little plastic pellets, seems like every 10 years they go..... I think I'm starting to remember why I had left this car in storage for 3 years 
Thanks again guys ....
Don't forget to wave !
Frank
have to replace the stupid little plastic pellets, seems like every 10 years they go..... I think I'm starting to remember why I had left this car in storage for 3 years Thanks again guys ....
Don't forget to wave !
Frank
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 375
Likes: 18
From: Lawrenceville Georgia
Good to hear on the clutch.
Check that right headlight for hitting on the coolant bottle/hose first. This is a common issue on that side. Open the hood and check to see if light will rotate.
Joel
Check that right headlight for hitting on the coolant bottle/hose first. This is a common issue on that side. Open the hood and check to see if light will rotate.
Joel
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
a/c problem
I just had a similar thing happen to my '93 LT1 (110k). I bought a new AC Delco Clutch assembly (15-4623) from Auto Parts Tomorrow.com. It cost $266 for a brand new part. I purschased a rebuilt unit for $110 but took it back after discovering a Chinese bearing.
I had burnt black goo thrown around but the belt was 100% intact. The bearing supporting my AC pulley failed and threw its grease (110K and the car sat for a long time ). That caused my smoke; fortunately no compressor damage.
Remove the serp. belt and see if the compressor spins freely. I'm putting money your pulley bearing is shot.
My car is working great now that I replaced my clutch.
I had burnt black goo thrown around but the belt was 100% intact. The bearing supporting my AC pulley failed and threw its grease (110K and the car sat for a long time ). That caused my smoke; fortunately no compressor damage.
Remove the serp. belt and see if the compressor spins freely. I'm putting money your pulley bearing is shot.
My car is working great now that I replaced my clutch.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,058
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
Also it's best to start a new thread rather then opening one that is 5 years old.
Last edited by bac22; Jul 6, 2017 at 08:33 AM.