Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) A/C pulley

[Kalaehina]

Ok, yesterday I noticed a burning rubber smell, not too bad, just thought it was the car in front of me. This morning, again, then this afternoon on my way home from work, the A/C goes warm and the smell comes back really strong. I get home, remove the serpentine to check all the pulleys, and the A/C compressor pulley kinda wobbles. Problem located, now, my question, 12 year old truck, just change what's broken? Or replace whole compressor? Which is easier? Thanks for any advice guys... ...

 

[tp0d]

If the AC is still cooling fine, I would just change out the clutch, its easily done, and you dont have to open the system.

I did a search of a coupla parts houses, no-one lists just the clutch, which should be replaceable. I`ve done a few over the years, not a bad job but you need a good puller. Luckily mine is running fine. .

If you havent changed out your belt tensioner, now would be a good time to do it. A bad tensioner can put stress on the clutch bearings and cause it to fail. And of course, a new gatorback belt. .

good luck

-j

 

[Kalaehina]

thanks for the info, the ac cools fine until the burning smell starts then it goes warm. Does this sound like a clutch? Also the pulley wobbles, is this also a result? Thanks for the help...

 

[hsmith]

You lost the pulley bearing. With the pulley wobble, you will be lucky if the coil is not damaged. Some of our trucks can be serviced with just a clutch, but some, like mine, it is serviced with a complete compressor unit.

 

[CumminsPower98]

I had a couple of the springs straps break on my clutch plate. I got a new clutch from the dealer and replaced everything without removing the compressor. It's been working great ever since so it was very worth doing for me. I tried local parts houses and a big A/C dealer and they didn't list the part.

 

[Kalaehina]

Thanks for all the info guys, I may just have the whole compressor replaced if the $ doesn't knock me on my feet first. If I did do the clutch change, what are those special tools I keep reading about?

 

[BigPapa]

I had to replace mine. Lots of info here:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...sion-discussions/199119-c-clutch-problem.html



Scott

 

[hsmith]

No real "special" tools needed if you are careful. Hub and pulley come off with little effort if the nose of the compressor is not damaged.

If you do not want to do without the truck while you get the parts together, you can run a belt application w/o ac and be OK.

 

[Kalaehina]

Thank you for all the help and info, problem is corrected. I bit the bullet and had a mobile repair man come over and install a new compressor, drier etc... Truck runs good again, cold A/C for this hot Hawaiian weather we've been having. I'm a lot less richer right now but at least the beast is running again. Thanks again!

 

[tp0d]

wow i can only imagine what that cost, mobile even. .

but then again the hot can do weird things to the brain

-j

 

[Kalaehina]

Oh man weird is right! And this little episode only made me $800 poorer! But it's worth it right..... someone convince me please! At least I'm cool as I go insane!