Just a heads up....

[Soupy]

My 2003 dually has 43,650 km on it (27,281 miles). While starting it two weeks ago in my yard it barely turned over. I tried it again and once again it barely turned over but the engine started. I made note to self to have the batteries tested asap. I load tested the batteriws and they were fine. Hmmm. After driving 3. 5 hrs each way to pick up a travel trailer and stopping along the way for rest breaks the truck never failed to start. I parked it for two days and on July 1st I tried to start it. It turned over very slow but started. Within 5 seconds there was a loud screeching noise and blue smoke eminating from the front of the engine hood. I shut it off asap and could smell burnt rubber. After opening the engine hoos I saw the destroyed seerpentine belt. Further checking showed that the a/c compressor clutch was seized up solid. I took it into my buddies a/c shop today and I now have to order a new/rebuilt compressor complete with clutch. The unit was toast. Other than the hard starting which was totally out of the ordinary I never heard anything that would lead me to think that a bearing etc were going out. Just thought I would pass this on. Luckly I did not break down on the hwy. I will be checking that clutch from now on and if it feels tight I will be taking action.



Brian

 

[B.G. Smith]

If the locked bearing didn't destroy the neck of the compressor that it is mounts on, the compressor may be ok. The only thing that turns when starting or when the AC is off is the AC pulley, not the clutch or compressor. bg

 

[Southbound]

Soupy



Sorry to hear of your AC problems. Whats interesting is that my buddy has an 06 with a compressor that is slowly dying. Whats wild is that it works fine but it puts some serious "drag" on the engine when it is engaged. We checked it the other night and it appears to be leaking big time yet it still works. Best part ..... Dodge said they cant do anything about it till it breaks fully. Of course my buddy is almost at the end of his warranty so he will probably have to pay the bill. For what its worth my AC compressor burned up "literally" with only 17k on the truck. Warranty replaced it but its disappointing that it didnt last being on an 06 truck. Note: I just replaced my fan clutch at 45k!!! I know there isnt a perfect truck out there but its frustrating that this truck has been troublesome. My 99 and 03 didnt have as many issues as this one.



Southbound

 

[JFought]

other than the ocasional code for the fan clutch, how do you know when it weak or going bad?

 

[Soupy]

I have a new compressor/clutch on now and not the oem Sandin either. The oem unit was toast. There was a bearing completely missing on the clutch and the compressor was seized. I also installed a new dryer, had the lines flushed, installed tracer dye, recharged system, paid my buddy and I was on my way. Installing the new serpentine belt was the hardest part of job they told me. Due to blend door breakage problems, I am leaving the selector on Defrost. It takes a little bit longer to cool but it does work. Hopefully this will eliminate replacing the flap door.