All of a sudden I heard a noise from under the hood, and the a/c stopped blowing cold air. I was hoping it was just a safety issue due to low refrigerant but under closer inspection under the hood I see the clutch is not engaging all the way on the compressor. I made a couple videos for you pros to see what is really happening.

This is with the A/C Turned Off...
http://youtu.be/6KUzhxk7LX0

This is with the A/C Turned On...
http://youtu.be/MsHv1fgaxfs

 

LOL Looks like its time to replace the compressor.

 

NNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why can't it just be the clutch bearing or clutch??? I didn't want to take it to a shop to evacuate/replace the refrigerant nor do I want to just release it into the air

Why did this have to happen right as the air started to warm up and not during the winter?

Zac

 

It probably did happen during the winter and only noticed it now.

It probably is simple simple but the units are not serviceable by most shops. They will just replace it vs spend that much time rebuilding the unit. They are expensive to, getting an used one is probably your best bet.

 

So you do think the unit is rebuildable right? So if I found a donor compressor I could take the clutch assembly off and swap it over without having to disassemble the actual compressor and remove the refrigerant?

 

Yes and no. The service manual has a section on how to rebuild it (if I remember correctly). But I'm sure its going to take specialized tools that is not worth it. Take a look at what the manual says. It is in the FAQ just a few posts above this one. Just take it to a shop to get evacuated and recharged then install the new/used one.

 

Ok I finally got around to playing with this again today. I figured out the problem was due to the outer clutch plate broke loose from the inner clutch plate so it was causing all sorts of issues. Based on the Service Manual it requires special tools and pullers to rebuild the clutch, and the kit costs $257 so I am not going that route. I still do not want to remove the compressor if at all possible but I am curious as to if I can remove the front plate of the compressor without evacuating the refrigerant. It seems as though it should be possible by removing the bolts circled here...


I really doubt the manufacturers would have relied on a giant seal between those two pieces to hold back the refrigerant. So if I can remove that section of the compressor, then I could buy a used compressor for like $60 unbolt the used front section and bolt it onto the compressor that is on my truck.

What do you guys think?
Zac

 

Nope it won't work. There is no way around it, just take it to a shop to get it evacuated. Then replace the compressor, then recharge it. Most places will evacuate it for free if you come back to recharge it. Most places will give you a slight discount since you should mostly use your old refrigerant that they took versus getting all new.

 

Or you could just get rid of the AC altogether! :P
Warm weather = Windows open!