Smoking A/C Compressor

BoxOnRox · 11-30-2007, 12:22 PM

I've seen a couple of these threads recently, and now the problem belongs to my Jeeper. Maybe someone can help me figure out if it's the compressor or just the pulley bearing.

Basically I was driving it the other day and it started to smell smoky. The winds had kicked up a bunch of ash from the recent fires, so I thought that might have been what it was just blowing out of the system. Then it started making some disturbing grinding sounds, which would actually diminish somewhat the higher the motor revved, and if I turned the A/C on.

But last night I got home and the compressor had smoke pouring out of it, so she's officially down for the count right now. I've heard it's possible that it may be the pulley bearing, but that's wishful thinking.

What would I be looking at to get the entire compressor replaced?

itasor · 11-30-2007, 12:53 PM

I got a refurb Sanden compressor with lifetime warranty for $260 and another $75 for the drier which must be replaced at the same time to comply with the lifetime warranty. I had it done at a shop and it was about $400 for everything, including charging it up and installation.

BoxOnRox · 11-30-2007, 12:55 PM

Yeah, the $400 repair is what I was hoping to avoid.

Why don't the one's included with the truck have lifetime warranties, but any one you personally buy and attach afterward does?

NjXj · 11-30-2007, 12:59 PM

400$ your lucky. Mine just went. Firestone Quoted me at 975$ And my dad wont let me do it myself cause it involves freon.

AZ Jeff · 11-30-2007, 02:12 PM

The problem could be the compressor, OR the bearing located inside the compressor pulley. If it's the pulley bearing, the entire compressor does NOT need to be replaced.

Here is how to determine where the fault lies:

When the compressor is actually running (clutch engaged and compressor spinning), the compressor pulley bearing is NOT spinning. That bearing ONLY spins when the compressor clutch is NOT engaged.

So the key here is: when does the clutch make noise and smoke? When the clutch is engaged or when it's not?

If you can determine that, then what needs to be replaced can be narrowed down more carefully, and hopefully it will turn out to be the compressor pulley bearing.

BoxOnRox · 11-30-2007, 02:38 PM

I would alternate it off and on to try and figure out which it liked better. It seemed that it made less noise when the A/C was on, but it was off for a while and it still started smoking pretty good.

AZ Jeff · 11-30-2007, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoxOnRox

I would alternate it off and on to try and figure out which it liked better. It seemed that it made less noise when the A/C was on, but it was off for a while and it still started smoking pretty good.

Less noise with the AC on is indicative of pulley bearing failure. Here is another way to check it:

remove the serpentine belt from the compressor, and spin the compressor pulley by hand (key off, or course, and AC set to "off") If the pulley is rough or noisy, you need a new bearing in the pulley. That's FAR cheaper than a new compressor.

linkovich · 12-01-2007, 03:22 PM

The bearing went bad on my a/c compressor about a year ago and I didn't have much cash at the time. I called a local salvage yard that pulls good parts from wrecked vehicles and got a new (used) compressor for $75. It also came with a 90 day warranty. Its worked fine ever since then.

BoxOnRox · 12-02-2007, 03:21 AM

Thanks for the info guys, I'm really hoping it's the bearing. I'll pull the belt tomorrow and give it a look.