The components are replaceable, however, it sounds like you may have a
siezed compressor.
Steve
"CNB" <cbrown_nospam_@bulloch.net> wrote in message
news:dhmsr4$41j0$1@news3.infoave.net...
> Vehicle: 1985 GMC S-15 w/2.8L V6 engine
>
> A couple of months ago after letting this vehicle sit for over a year, I
> went to have the A/C system recharged with refrigerant. Unfortunately on
the
> way home from the shop I heard an awful noise coming from under the hood,
> turned the A/C off after about 4 minutes of hearing this noise, and upon
> arriving home found the clutch mounted on the front of the A/C compressor
> almost glowing hot. Apparently a seal somewhere in the system was not in
> good enough shape to withstand a recharge. My question is - what do I do
at
> this point? Does this mean the compressor itself has been damaged or just
> the clutch? If just the clutch, can I replace it idependently of the
> compressor or do they come as a unit? The Haynes manual appears to show it
> as a unit. The clutch has a bolt in the center of it, is this what holds
it
> onto the compressor? Will I have to get the system de-pressurized to fix
> this problem? What I am trying to decide here is whether this is something
I
> can do on my own or if I have to take this to the professional again with
> more money.
>
> Here's a link to a photo of what I have, showing the center bolt of the
> clutch:
> http://web.infoave.net/~BN_cbrown/accompressor.jpg
>
> Any help or advice would be appreciated.
>
>
> Casey
>
>