96 A/C repair
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 780
Likes: 56
From: Bradenton Florida
96 A/C repair
A friend has been offered a 96 CE coupe with air conditioning problems. The owner indicated the compressor clutch started smoking and burned up. Is it possible to confirm that it is just a clutch replacement and not more involved? We are in Florida, so no a/c is not an option. Any ideas on the cost of this type of repair?
Thanks
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,352
Likes: 3,253
From: Hartford WI
A friend has been offered a 96 CE coupe with air conditioning problems. The owner indicated the compressor clutch started smoking and burned up. Is it possible to confirm that it is just a clutch replacement and not more involved? We are in Florida, so no a/c is not an option. Any ideas on the cost of this type of repair?
Thanks
Thanks
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 780
Likes: 56
From: Bradenton Florida
The prior owner is deceased, widow is selling car. I have been around long enough to know if this is a BS scam, it's not. Car is very clean, good miles. She said there was smoke coming from the ac compressor. My friend has never owned a Vette and loves C4s. I am just trying to ask for help before he enters a money pit.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,620
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
There are 2 initial things I would do.
Try to turn the compressor center shaft by hand and see if it moves freely 360degrees +.
If it turns and is not locked up, I would then try to engage the AC and see what the clutch does. IE, does it try to engage, make a noise, smoke etc and go from there.
The clutch can be replaced without removing the compressor or pipes.
Try to turn the compressor center shaft by hand and see if it moves freely 360degrees +.
If it turns and is not locked up, I would then try to engage the AC and see what the clutch does. IE, does it try to engage, make a noise, smoke etc and go from there.
The clutch can be replaced without removing the compressor or pipes.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,352
Likes: 3,253
From: Hartford WI
There are 2 initial things I would do.
Try to turn the compressor center shaft by hand and see if it moves freely 360degrees +.
If it turns and is not locked up, I would then try to engage the AC and see what the clutch does. IE, does it try to engage, make a noise, smoke etc and go from there.
The clutch can be replaced without removing the compressor or pipes.
Try to turn the compressor center shaft by hand and see if it moves freely 360degrees +.
If it turns and is not locked up, I would then try to engage the AC and see what the clutch does. IE, does it try to engage, make a noise, smoke etc and go from there.
The clutch can be replaced without removing the compressor or pipes.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,620
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
I have done 2 clutches and the compressors were fine. My clutch on my corvette is getting tired and holding out as long as I can.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,352
Likes: 3,253
From: Hartford WI
I only said they were initial tests, I didn't say stop there. You have to start at some point with the simple items. Things can always go in any direction as you check it out but you don't know till you get started.
I have done 2 clutches and the compressors were fine. My clutch on my corvette is getting tired and holding out as long as I can.
I have done 2 clutches and the compressors were fine. My clutch on my corvette is getting tired and holding out as long as I can.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,058
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
A friend has been offered a 96 CE coupe with air conditioning problems. The owner indicated the compressor clutch started smoking and burned up. Is it possible to confirm that it is just a clutch replacement and not more involved? We are in Florida, so no a/c is not an option. Any ideas on the cost of this type of repair?
Thanks
Thanks
I Unplugged the clutch and drove home. It was easy enough to repair, but get yourself a decent pair of snap ring pliers. I replaced mine maybe 5-8 years ago, been fine since, think at the time I spent $200 for a replacement clutch. Compressor was fine, it didn't cause any issue with it.
Last edited by bac22; Oct 8, 2018 at 10:45 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,620
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
This happen on my 96, clutch went MIA...scared the living daylights out of me, because when it did happen smoked poured from under the hood! Got to a parking lot, popped the hood and saw the clutch smoking...I remember that this was rather common at the time as others were have the same issue on the forum here.
I Unplugged the clutch and drove home. It was easy enough to repair, but get yourself a decent pair of snap ring pliers. I replaced mine maybe 5-8 years ago, been fine since, think at the time I spent $200 for a replacement clutch. Compressor was fine, it didn't cause any issue with it.
I Unplugged the clutch and drove home. It was easy enough to repair, but get yourself a decent pair of snap ring pliers. I replaced mine maybe 5-8 years ago, been fine since, think at the time I spent $200 for a replacement clutch. Compressor was fine, it didn't cause any issue with it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,352
Likes: 3,253
From: Hartford WI
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,620
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
But the most amazing part was he was able to get the clutch off the shaft past the pipes. I thought it would be to impossible to get by but he showed it could be done.
Then you don't have to evacuate the system and recharge.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,352
Likes: 3,253
From: Hartford WI
I have no idea if this tool was used. But the thread talked about the shims and how he had to use a deep pair of snap ring pliers.
But the most amazing part was he was able to get the clutch off the shaft past the pipes. I thought it would be to impossible to get by but he showed it could be done.
Then you don't have to evacuate the system and recharge.
But the most amazing part was he was able to get the clutch off the shaft past the pipes. I thought it would be to impossible to get by but he showed it could be done.
Then you don't have to evacuate the system and recharge.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,352
Likes: 3,253
From: Hartford WI
Autozone has it for 581 but that is everything you need including O-rings and oil and receiver dryer for lifetime warranty and if you are buying it at the right time a 10 to 20 percent discount
Edit: If this is a "new to me" car, NFW would I want to do the clutch. I'd figure on replacing everything and pricing it as such. OTOH, if I know the history and can be very certain it is only the clutch, maybe I would do it without draining the system.
Edit: If this is a "new to me" car, NFW would I want to do the clutch. I'd figure on replacing everything and pricing it as such. OTOH, if I know the history and can be very certain it is only the clutch, maybe I would do it without draining the system.
Last edited by aklim; Oct 9, 2018 at 04:03 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 583
From: New Port Richey FL
This might be the post that Pcolt94 was speaking of That I had done a few months back with him. One thing I did Learn after posting this and from the posting that the people that I had gotten the Coil/Clutch from Rock Auto seemed to have a Closer to OEM grade Part with a Factory plug and the clearance hole. The 4 Seasons I got Plain Striped Wire and a Spice of factory plug.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...g-service.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...g-service.html
Last edited by s carter; Oct 9, 2018 at 05:01 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 195
From: folsom california
Here's the issue; assume the worst, compressor failed, clutch seized, shrapnel got shot into the condenser and into the receiver / dryer where an internal filter "should" have stopped the debris, and a new expansion valve. get a price from a reputable shop; that reflects flushing the system, replacing all these components and refilling the system. Then decide whether or not the price of the car justifies (possibly) putting that much money into it. For an exceptionally clean 96, it probably will. If it turns out that the compressor didn't grenade and it's just a clutch the price of repairs will be much lower.