My compressor clutch has been making some noise for a week or so now and on Thursday the compressor started leaking oil from the front seal. So I got the new compressor/clutch assembly but the accumulator/filters (front and rear) had to be ordered and won't be in till Thursday. Wife went to a friends house last night and when she started the van to leave the compressor seized up and cooked the belt. The clutch won't disengage either. What I'm wondering is can I install the new compressor and just not hook up the electrical for the clutch? I can't get the system charged/oiled until I replace the accumulator/filters but need the van-it's our only vehicle. If the electrics aren't connected the clutch should just free-wheel like an idler pulley, right?

 

Yes but don't hook up the compressor UNTIL you get the oil put into and circulate it by hand (rotate the compressor clutch by hand). You can reattach the lines but keep the electric connector detached. Or on the lines you can put a plastic 1 gallon food bag and clamp it tight to the lines with rubber bands if you think there are contaminants in the lines. If you do this then leave the plate on the new compressor until ready to finish the job.