I believe i will have to replace the clutch on the a/c compressor on my 96 dodge cumins. Its making a horrible noise and will not engage the compressor. Can the clutch be ordered seperately or will i have to fork over the big bucks and get the compressor/clutch package?
Any help would be appreciated.

 

My personal opinion, and that's all it is.

You can replace the clutch. It's a chore though. And there's no way that it's gonna happen with the compressor still mounted. Just ain't enough room. Not on my 95' anyway.

If you remove the compressor, you should examine it to see if there are metal fragments. Dump the compressor on it back, OVER AN OIL BUCKET....lol. Then run a magnet thru the compressor oil and see what you get. If there are a lot of filings, the compressor is shot. And all that metal travels thru and ends up clogging the orifice tube.It's that backup of freon that stalls the compressor dead in it's tracks.The clutch/fan belt are what suffers. The engine is driving a clutch that attached to a part that seized. If that's the deal, the entire system would have to be flushed. BUT..a new compressorusually willbe warrantied onlyif a new accumulator/dryer is installed. Sometimes they want the condenser replaced as well. I redid every single part on mine with the attitude of getting another 11 years of faithful a/c.





It cost a lot but, my system kicks a**.lol.

Good luck with your ride.

 

Thanks for the help. The A/C was working just fine before the clutch went out but since then it's sounding like a rock polisher i had as a kid! I guess after 247,500 miles, something is bound to break on this truck.

 

The clutch finally locked up on monday, not letting the belt spin at all while the motor was running. I had ordered a new compressor the friday before so i just cut the belt and drove to my mechanic. Droped it off at 8:30am and picked it up around 3:00pm. He installed the new compressor, accumulator, pulled a vacuum, charged it, changed the trucks oil, replaced the air filter and replaced all 6 gaskets on the valve cover.

Total bill was $1,059.99
I don't think the bill is too bad considering all the work he did and in the time allowed.

[IMG]local://upfiles/57781/2A449AB543904AA2AA3183BD56A1F18E.jpg[/IMG]

 

all that work for a bit over a grand. . .not bad. . .did he happen to check the valve lash???

 

Funny you should mention that. I took the truck back in today because the starter was dragging. Checked the batteries, replaced one, and ordered a rebuilt starter. It will be here @2:00 pm today and he said he would have me out today. The funny thing is while we were testing the batteries this morning, I asked him if he set the valves and he said he didnt have enough time the other day but would do it today. He also said that he thinks the timing is off a little in the injection pump and will look at that as well.

 

Just my 2 cents, and nothing else.

1. I would replace both batteries, regardless if one passes a load test or not. When one battery starts to go bad for whatever reason, the other battery starts to suffer as well. Problem is, when you start the truck and the alt begins to charge, the majority of that charge will go to the weaker battery. A battery that no longer serves a useful purpose. Eventually, the new battery will carry the load till it becomes weak just like the first battery.

You end up replacing a single battery every year. It's like chasin' your own tail....lol.


Good luck with your ride.