Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) A/C Compressor failure

[-gtsm-]

Hi Folks, My A/C compressor / clutch failed on me friday on my way home from work . I replaced the belt with a non A/C belt (gates # KO80653) and drove the truck home to my house without issue. I have several questions ... First the ribs on the new belt now ride on the flat face of the tensioner pulley... Is this pulley the same on a non A/C truck ? Honestly in my neck of the woods you don't really see any non A/C vehicles for sale so any of you Yankees know if the non A/C tensioner pully is ribbed? Does anyone see a problem with driving the truck like this for a couple hundred more miles until I can repair the Air conditioner? Secondly have any of you replaced your compressor yourself ,if so do you have any advise for me? Thanks Rich

 

[cgage]

rich

i'm not sure about the belt and pulley issue. as far as the a/c goes if its the compressor clutch it can be replaced on the vehicle with out loosing freon. agood pair of snap ring pliers 90 degree and calipers or a mic to messure the shim thickness. replacing the clutch is pretty straight forward.

charlie

 

[-gtsm-]

Thanks Charlie , I considered that but my concern would be that the compressor failed and that is what killed the clutch. Seems like I've heard somewhere that is why most clutches fail. Rich

 

[B.G. Smith]

If the clutch face burned up, then yes, the compressor may have locked up. But the pulley should have still been usable without removing the serpentine belt. If the pulley won't turn then the bearing is bad which as stated above does not mean the compressor is bad. Grab the clutch face and see if it will turn, if so the compressor may be ok. As for the tensioner running on the grooved side of the belt, I looked up the pulley and they only show a smooth one so I guess it's ok like that. bg

 

[-gtsm-]

Thanks B. G. I just checked and my pulley will not turn nor will the face of the clutch , plus what looks like a watchspring is hanging out of the face of the clutch I think it's safe to say that the whole thing is shot . thanks for the info on the tensioner I guess it's O. K. to drive till I do the compressor repair... which apparently involves flushing, changing of the orifice and dryer and lots of sweating and cussing :-laf ... anybody done this repair at home?

 

[B.G. Smith]

I used to do some auto AC work here at the house. You can do the whole thing if you have a vac. pump. Yes, when changing a wrecked compressor the sustem may need to be blown out, definitely change the receiver/dryer and the orifice tube, some stores won't honor the compressor warranty if you don't change the receiver/dryer. I would still look into the failure to make sure the compressor is gone. Try putting a socket on the nut in center of clutch that holds the clutch plate on and see if it will turn. bg