My12thVette

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

billschroeder5842

Start here. Run a diagnostic on your system before you put any money into solutions.

aklim

Not sure. IF it were so cheap and easy, maybe let the owner fix it before selling. Either that or I assume I have to replace everything in the system and price accordingly. I do NOT believe in you telling me it is a $500 repair only to find out there are other issues that make it a $5000 repair after money changes hands.

My12thVette

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.

aklim

Either way I'd go with a PDI just to know if it is going to be a money pit or not. His call.

pcolt94

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.

aklim

That is an incomplete test. My compressor turns freely. It just crapped metal all over the system. AC is a beautiful thing until it doesn't work then it can get ugly quickly.

jv9999

You might get lucky, but odds are the compressor is toast.

pcolt94

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.

aklim

Fair enough. I'd still get a mechanic to check it out for the sake of the future.

bac22

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.

pcolt94

Are you the one who replaced the clutch and wrote it up not to long ago? I thought I saved the thread but can't find it now, perhaps I miss-filed it. But it basically said it could be done on the car with some information and pointers on how it was done.

aklim

https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tool...ool/472357_0_0

Might that work?

pcolt94

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.

aklim

My problem is that you now own a clutch and if the compressor is going out, would you be able to buy the compressor only and transfer it? Some seem to be able to do it but others sell it as a unit. My compressor was not cooling like it should. Testing shows very high pressures indicating a blockage. If you turn it by hand the shaft turns good. Not sure if you can check compressor function without the clutch engaged or not. Can you?

cdm747

New Denso Compressor w clutch at Rock Auto $354

aklim

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.

s carter

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

mtwoolford

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.