Had a little problem with the a/c compressor on the way to work today. Just took a quick look and it looks like I can get home tonght ok if I just cut the a/c belt. My question is, will I loose anything else besides power steering? It didn't look like it was running any thing else.

 

You shouldnt loose anything except a/c if you have a 3 belt setup and all belts are on correctly.

 

Should only lose the A/C on the 2nd track belt. The P/S pump is also driven by the 1st track belt. The alternator is driven by the belt on the 3rd track, the AIR pump is driven off the water pump by the 4th track, and the water pump is driven redundantly by tracks 1-3.

 

Ok sounds good. Thanks guys. I'll just cut the belt tonight and work on it when I get home. I'll post my findings.

 

Ok. So here is a pic of what's going on. It looks like a bolt broke off. Now the pulley gets pulled crooked by the belt and rubs on the compressor.

The question is, is the fixable without taking off the compressor or loosing any freon?

 

It took me a while to figure out what was wrong with that picture, but I got it now. Holy cow! That's nasty.

I think you can replace just the clutch assy. on the front of the compressor, assuming the shaft it goes on isn't chewed up too bad. Requires some special tools. Might want to have an A?C shop do it for you.

Option #2 is to replace the whole unit with a new/rebuild compressor that comes with a new clutch. I'd recommend converting over to R-134 while you're at it (since you'll have to evacuate the system professionally or just vent it to atmosphere if you're doing it in your driveway). It's not hard or very expensive to do and R-12 is viciously expensive.

 

So is it possible to replace the clutch assembly without venting the freon?

 

See all that oil residue, thats leakage. Chances are the pump is fried too.

 

Yes, it is- that's why I suggested it. But like SSC says, the compressor might be pretty far gone at this point, too.

 

That may be true. If it is it's a shame. That a/c was ice ice cold.

 

*cough* boneyard *cough*

 

If that was the situation, and you want to retain that kind of performance, skip past the R134 and move on to R414. Or drive to Mexico and pick up some cans of R12.

 

So where would one buy R414?

Also, R12 is still available isn't it? I haven't had to purchase any in 3 years.

 

i havent been able to find R12 in a while. i hear its still available, but since its illegal to manufacure in the US, its getting rare, making it expensive. sometimes VERY expensive. i've heard reports of R12 being upwards of $1900 for 30 pounds. (R12 price and R12 alternatives here)

i did the r12 to 134a conversion this summer, and the stuff is horrible. by the time it was cool enough in the car to roll the windows back up, i had arrived at where i was going.