Help needed!

[JetMaxx]

On my way home from work last week, my A/C cut out. The compressor sounded like it was still working but no cold air. When I got home, I looked in the engine bay and the pulley to the left of the engine was moving very slowly and there was what appeared be some black gooey stuff coming out of the front of the pulley, some of which dropped down onto the lower rad hose.

We were set to leave for vacation for a week and the LX was the vehicle of choice. However, with no A/C, we took the other car so the LX sat for a week. This morning I tried to start it up for the first time and BIG mistake. The engine struggled somewhat to start, made a whining noise, and the belt started burning at the pulley almost instantly, so I shut it down again.

First off, is that the A/C pulley?

Can I just remove the belt so I can be able to run it?

Is the repair to that pulley a simple fix?

 

[CJF]

You don't have a FSM?? You REALLY need to get one if you want to work on your rig, especially if you're green enough that you can't recognize something like the A/C compressor by sight. (No offense; I still consider myself pretty green!)

If it's the A/C belt, then yes you can run without it. Then you can take your time perusing your manual while you contemplate fixing it.

Curtis

 

[Beowulf]

First off, is that the A/C pulley?

Can I just remove the belt so I can be able to run it?

Is the repair to that pulley a simple fix?

There are 3 "pulleys" on the A/C drive system. The crank pulley, the A/C tensioner pulley, and the A/C compressor. I'm guessing you are describing the A/C compressor.

You can remove (or cut) the A/C belt and the vehicle will run OK. Obviously, you won't have A/C.

The repair to the A/C tensioner is easy and cheap. The repair of the A/C compressor is not cheap and not easy depending on what the problem is. You will likely need assistance with the problem determination.

-B-

 

[JetMaxx]

There are 3 "pulleys" on the A/C drive system. The crank pulley, the A/C tensioner pulley, and the A/C compressor. I'm guessing you are describing the A/C compressor.

You can remove (or cut) the A/C belt and the vehicle will run OK. Obviously, you won't have A/C.

The repair to the A/C tensioner is easy and cheap. The repair of the A/C compressor is not cheap and not easy depending on what the problem is. You will likely need assistance with the problem determination.

-B-

No FSM unfortunately.

Its the pulley on the front of the A/C compressor. Not moving at all, which caused the belt to burn as it was forced around it. Can I replace the pulley on the front of the compressor?

 

[Tools R Us]

That pulley is called the A/C clutch, yes they can be replaced. Most times when they give up, they take out the snout on the compressor, so you need both.

 

[Rich]

In this case it appears that first the compressor seized, and then as a result the ac clutch failed.

 

[psfpilot]

black goo dripping down

Here's a thread where ginericfj80 had black goo dripping down after his AC compressor failed.

 

[JetMaxx]

Anyone with a FSM that can tell me how to disassemble the clutch on the front of the compressor?

I tried loosening the bolt of the front of the pulley but it just seems to turn without coming out.

It seems pretty certain to me that clutch is shot but is there any way to tell if the compressor is gone as well? The compressor was still running even after I lost the cold air when it first happened if that says anything.

 

[JetMaxx]

Bump.