The AC compressor clutch on my 1989 crapped out. Getting vibration and tinny noise. The compressor was replaced last year 4/08 and coverted over to 134A by previous owner. Should I just replace the clutch ( having tough time finding a shop/mechanic that will do this) or replace the entire compressor?
Not sure if any 134A has been lost at this point.
I am leaning toward replacing the entire compressor.
Mike.
1988 Black Coupe
If you just replace the clutch, you do not need to open the system. Should be able to tell from the pully if the clutch bearing is bad. Am surprised your replacement compressor did not come with a new clutch. Replacement is just a matter of pulling the old one off and bolting the new one on.
I vote for just replacing the clutch. Much less work and therefore cost involved. Did you get a new or rebuilt compressor last time?
I do not know if it was a new or rebuilt compressor installed 4/08 since I was not the owner then and do not have a copy of the work order.
Only two of the nine shops I have talked to are willing to install the cluth/pully only. The other shops are worried metal shavings and heat have contaminated the entire system.
Cluth assembly is $89.00 at Auto Zone and requires a special puller. I can get a new compressor for w/clutch for $190.00. I will then of course need new dryer and new 134A.
Still not sure just what I am going to do.
Mike.
1988 Black Coupe
I just went thru this in May. My compressor locked up just as we were leaving my buddy's house. I went on line here and got the #'s for bypassing the a/c. Went to both Advance and AutoZone and the puller they had did not work. My buddy who is a machinist made one and it worked great.
He practiced on mine, with the thought that if it didn't work I would buy a new compressor anyway. Then we went out to the u-pick yard,where I had previously scouted out a Riv. with a brand new compressor, serpentine belt and tensioner pulley as well as an alternator all for $40.00.We grabbed the parts and he pulled just the clutch end of the compressor. [I did not want to deal with the counter guy being upset about us releasing freon into the air].
My old clutch was totally shot, but we did not comprimise the system.
I am now using the car with a/c.
BCA & Reatta Club affiliated
'89 Red/Tan "Betty"
'89 Black/Gray "Veronica"
'90 Black/Tan 'vert "Annie" [says so in the pin stripe!]
Enjoying the Reatta experience!
Should you decide to replace the compressor and drier you might as well spend a few more dollars on a new orfice tube. The tubes themselves are less than $10.00 for a good one, but I do not know what kind of labor is involved. Any thoughts Padgett?
Richard
1990 Reatta Coupe, 1971 Buick Skylark Convertible Miami FL.
So you left a brand new compressor sitting there? Down here at the U-Pick they claim they reclaim all R-12 but you would be amazed at how many are still charged. That is fine for the system but not the air.Originally Posted by DAVES89
Sorry, put the "brand new" in the wrong place. Belt,tensioner and alternator were new. Compressor was not...
BCA & Reatta Club affiliated
'89 Red/Tan "Betty"
'89 Black/Gray "Veronica"
'90 Black/Tan 'vert "Annie" [says so in the pin stripe!]
Enjoying the Reatta experience!
OK, clutch puller is just a screw and adapter, about $40 at NAPA and FLAPS may loan you one.
No big to R&R a clutch so I'd probably buy the compressor assembly (for that proce probably not a Delco/Delphi), pull the clutch, and see if the shaft turns easily. If so and the pressure looks good then I'd put the new clutch on the old compressor & crank up. If it works, fine, and you have not had to open the system. Save the compressor for the next time.
If not then pull the compressor and swap the clutches again since you have the tool. Just do not forget to take the nut off the shaft.
I will check with my buddy to see if he will give me the puller he made [or make another]. I went the route of Advance and AutoZone for both the clutch and the puller. The clutch and the puller are not compatible [at least with the unit in my '89 black/tan] with our cars. The reason I know this is I have a buddy who owns a radiator/A/C shop and he was going to swap it for $50.00 labor. His puller worked, but the clutch was wrong. [Which is why I pulled mine at a salvage yard].
I have not asked Ronnie, but if he is OK with this, he can be the keeper of this puller and "rent" it out [as he has paypal, and should at least get something for packaging and shipping].
Ronnie are you interested?
BCA & Reatta Club affiliated
'89 Red/Tan "Betty"
'89 Black/Gray "Veronica"
'90 Black/Tan 'vert "Annie" [says so in the pin stripe!]
Enjoying the Reatta experience!
Although you may be saving yourselves a lot of money working on the compressor and system yourself, it seems to me that you have wasted a good deal of time. Luckily, I live on Cape Cod and don't seem more than a week or two of weather that would make A.C. useful. I don't know how many used cars I've had that I removed the complete A.C. system instead of having them fixed. Unfortunately, though, I'm finding removing the Compressor this week will be a ***** of a job. I don't know if that's because I'm much older now and don't enjoy mechanics like I may have in the past or that GM put this compressor in a terrible place for replacement. It seems that clutch replacement should be easier.
When you live in Central Florida and have to put up with the 100 days of summer, that is not really a choice. Once had to put up a $1,000 deposit on a $5,000 car to get a dealer to order one that was not available with a/c.
All of my cars, even the 4 speed Judge, have factory a/c. Modern cars are not designed for ventilation.
Bypass belt is a good thing to have when need to "get home" but that is all.
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