When I bought my car, the A/C was already taken out and the A/C compressor was just sittin there not being used. So I took it out of my car and want to check to see if it still works. I have someone who wants to buy it off of me, but I dont know if it even works! So is there a way where I can check it to see if it still works? It came off of my 86 T/A.

 

You can rotate the compressor hub by hand or with a wrench to see if it will even turn. You can also test the clutch coil resistance and cutout switch continuity. That still won't reveal if the unit will work well, but will identify anything that is obviously wrong. Short of reconnecting it, that may be about all you can do.

 

Would it get damaged if it was placed back onto the car, hooked up, but run without a/c lines (or oil)?

I remember from my old 4-wheel-off-road magazines that guys would remove their a/c stuff, leave the compressor, and put an air hose on the compressor outlet to pump up flat tires.

My guess is he could put the compressor back on, hook the wires up, put the belt on the pulley, and turn the a/c on. If everything's fine the compressor should be pushing air out of it's outlet... but I don't know if it'd be hurt by running without oil (oil mist in the a/c hoses).

 

Well, like Vader said if it will make a couple of turns it is a good sign. My A/C comp (R-4) just hatched. I bought a rebuilt and kept the old one. I tested the clutch with a 12v car batt. and that worked so I removed it for a spare. I didn't have the tools to take the comp apart so I took a cut off tool and opened it up like a can of kippers. Man are they nice inside but mine was as dry as a bone and locked up. So to answer your question it would not last very long without any oil.

Auggie