How to replace/repair burned up A/C Clutch?

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

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
>
>

"CNB" <cbrown_nospam_@bulloch.net> wrote in news:dhmsr4$41j0$1
@news3.infoave.net:

> http://web.infoave.net/~BN_cbrown/accompressor.jpg
>

a pictures worth a thousand words!........i would also suggest the comp. is
locked up or severily binding...you can put a socket on the center bolt and
try to turn the actual comp........if and when you replace comp. be sure to
at least inspect orfice tube for contamination. it will prob be full of
alum chips that are suppose to still be part of your R-4......a good job
would include NEW comp., accumulator, orfice tube, flush, clean condensor,
and check cooling fan operation. pay attention to oil amount and type B4
charging syst.........kjun

There ARE pullers made for A/C clutches; I needed one once when the
bearings failed in the clutch on my old Chevy van. However, as others
have said, that does seem to be the least of your troubles ... I agree
you seem to need a new compressor.

-= Larry A.

On Sat, 1 Oct 2005 16:51:24 -0400, "CNB" <cbrown_nospam_@bulloch.net>
wrote:

>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
>