[s-cars] A/C compressor noise

[Eugene Yen]

OK, after a lot of calls, I managed to locate a clutch for $165.  BTW,
none of the vendors mentioned so far in this thread sell clutches
anymore.  I also couldn't find anyone who sells just the bearing.  I
also found a clutch tool kit:  http://tinyurl.com/5nh7zb.

Tim, you're scaring me.  When you say, "I don't have confidence that
you can do this," are you referring to the "drop compressor and
replace clutch" or the "evacuate system, remove compressor and replace
clutch, then flush and refill"?  If it's the former, what's the big
gotcha with the clutch (assuming that I'm using the proper tools)?  I
have no intention of tackling the latter.

BTW, in the course of my search, I called my local stealer.  They'll
sell me a clutch for only $636.  Yeah, they're always good for a
laugh.

Thanks,
Eugene


On Tue, Sep 16, 2008 at 10:55 PM, Tim Leonard <nard1 at cablespeed.com> wrote:
> The bearing is special and can only be bought from an AC parts supplier.
> Look on-line. ackits.com There is not enough room in front of the compressor
> to fit a puller to get the pulley off. You must drop the compressor. You
> don't need to unhook the lines but it makes it much easier if you remove the
> compressor completely. I really feel that with a system as old as yours it
> would be wise to give it a tune-up. Recover the refrigerant pull the orifice
> tube to check condition of the system, flush the system, put in a new
> accumulator, new oil, vacuum for a few hours,  and then recharge. If this
> were done you would be assured that the AC would work well for years to come
> and you would not need to spend money for expensive parts. If you don't plan
> to keep the car for long then all of this does not matter. I keep my cars
> for many years so I have learned how to care for them and also have
> purchased the tools to do so. I have an AC machine to recover, vacuum, and
> refill, my systems. It was expensive but with all of the cars I have, with
> both R12 and R134a, I felt it cheaper to have my own machine than to pay to
> have the job done by a monkey lad that would charge me $1000 and replace
> components that are fine. I am in a unique situation.  I'm too long winded.
> Bottom line.  It's in the details.
> I don't have confidence you can do this. It is unlikely that you will be
> able to find anyone that will "work" with you and give you good service at a
> fair price. You need them to recover the refrigerant. Then you need to do
> your thing with the bearing. Then you need them to refill the system .
> But it's not that simple for the job to be done correctly. If you can find
> someone that will work with you they may explain all the details but my
> experience is that AC guys are too high priced and generally don't do a
> proper LONG lasting job.
> Hope I haven't bored you.
> Tim
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eugene Yen" <eugenekyen at gmail.com>
> To: "Tim Leonard" <nard1 at cablespeed.com>; <s-car-list at audifans.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 12:15 PM
> Subject: Re: [s-cars] A/C compressor noise
>
>
>> Tim,
>> Thanks for the advice.  Is the bearing a standard size?  If it is, I
>> could probably get it replaced at a nearby electric motor repair shop.
>>
>> Any tips on how to remove/reinstall the clutch with the compressor
>> still on the car?
>>
>> --Eugene
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Sep 16, 2008 at 9:57 AM, Tim Leonard <nard1 at cablespeed.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Eugene,
>>> You determined the clutch bearing was bad. Replace the clutch bearing.
>>> The
>>> bearing is about $35 and replacement is quite easy after the hard part of
>>> getting the clutch out so you can work on it. I've done many. I don't
>>> care
>>> to throw away cars because they run out of gas. I would apply the same
>>> thought to this clutch.
>>> Best,
>>> Tim
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
> Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.21/1674 - Release Date: 9/16/2008
> 8:15 AM
>
>