A/C compressor lock up

[gogettah70]

Im having a problem with my a/c compressor while riding home today my a/c started blowing out hot air and i smelled a burning odor i thought it was wires burning on the EATC but when i checked under the hood it was the belt on the compressor.what i wanted to know is once it locks up is it gone?

[fastblackmerc]

Im having a problem with my a/c compressor while riding home today my a/c started blowing out hot air and i smelled a burning odor i thought it was wires burning on the EATC but when i checked under the hood it was the belt on the compressor.what i wanted to know is once it locks up is it gone?

Yes, it's gone or maybe just the clutch is toast.

If the compressor is gone your looking at replacing alot of the A/C system.

[gogettah70]

how can i tell if its the clutch?

[Zim Hosein]

If the compressor is gone your looking at replacing alot of the A/C system.

A blown A/C compressor damages the rest of the system fastblackmerc? I'm honestly :confused:

[fastblackmerc]

A blown A/C compressor damages the rest of the system fastblackmerc? I'm honestly :confused:

Read this... you'll learn something.

Replacing your auto A/C Compressor:
Here's a great 'step-by-step' or 'how to' guide to replace your auto A/C compressor.

If you're not doing the work yourself, this information will provide you a much better understand what the auto service shop is trying to explain
Potentially one of the most costly auto A/C repairs is when you have to replace the A/C compressor. If you're facing that situation now, it's really important that you understand all the steps that must be followed in order to do the job properly and get warranty on your replacement compressor. Keep in mind that the 'steps' we talk about apply to either new or remanufactured compressors, so there is no difference. You will also find this information of interest if you're having the work completed by a service shop (or if you're shopping for a service shop). We'll try to eliminate all the technical terms to make it easier to understand.

What's really important to understand before you start is that the A/C system is just that... it's a system! That means it's only as good as the weakest link. It also means that all the components in the system must work together.

To start, let's have a look at some of the components you should really pay attention to when you're replacing the A/C compressor. They are:
1) the condenser
2) the accumulator or receive drier
3) refrigerant or compressor oil
4) orifice tube or expansion valve (also called a TXV)
5) hose or line assemblies
6) Before you finish, you must flush the A/C system.
You should also give serious consideration to having an in-line filter installed. (More about that later) and you may still have to retrofit the A/C system too!

Let's start by understanding what happens when the A/C compressor fails and how it effects the different parts of the system. We will detail the functions of these various parts and also explain how a blown or seized A/C compressor can effect them. That way you'll have a real good understanding of how to go about the replacement of the compressor or be able to better understand what the service shop may be trying to explain. Remember, we're going to keep the technical jargon out so it's going to be easy to follow, OK?

To start, remember that the A/C system is a sealed system. When a compressor fails (usually because of the lack of oil flow to the compressor) the internal parts of the compressor 'break up' and are pushed throughout several parts of the system. This contaminates the system and those parts. Before replacing the compressor, several other A/C parts have to be checked or changed. Here's why.

The Condenser:
The A/C condenser performs pretty much the same function as an engine radiator, but the condenser cools the refrigerant (or freon) in the auto A/C system. Typically, the A/C condenser should be flushed to remove any debris. The flushing of the system will remove contaminated compressor oil and debris scattered throughout the system.
Auto A/C condenser designs are critical to the performance of your A/C system. Did you know that some condensers can not be flushed! In more current vehicle applications using high efficiency condensers, you should understand that they may not be able to be flushed. Why? The passages are simply too small and much of the debris gets lodged into the tube openings. In short, it's just impossible to remove all the debris from these condensers designs.

Service Required:
Depending on the actual design of the A/C condenser, it may have to be replaced. If it can be flushed, it's best to use approved flushing agents that evaporate quickly and do not leave any residue in the A/C system. The ability to flush a condenser has to be considered on a case by case basis.

The Accumulator or Receiver Drier:
Accumulators and Received Driers are not interchangeable, but they perform the same functions. This component is in the A/C system to
1) trap, remove and hold moisture
2) filter particles or debris
3) also acts as a reservoir for compressor oil and refrigerant

Typically, the accumulators are located on the LOW pressure side of the system. Receiver driers are almost always on the HIGH pressure side, usually in the liquid line that runs between the condenser and evaporator.
Accumulator or receiver drier?

It's important to remember that one of the main functions of the accumulator or drier is to absorb moisture from the A/C system. Therefore they include a desiccant material. Desiccants are typically made from silica gel, and because of their affinity for water, they make great drying agents. Additionally, accumulators and driers have filter screens to trap any debris. After a compressor failure, these filter screens can easily get plugged with debris. KEEP IN MIND.. some of the components that flow refrigerant through the system work with openings of less than .050" (fifty thousandths of an inch). It takes LESS THAN 1/10 of A TEASPOON OF DEBRIS to plug these components and cause a failure.

SERVICE Required:
Typically, the desiccants have been proven to become saturated after three to four years of service. Once saturated, they can no longer absorb moisture. Additionally, there is no way to check the filter screens for contamination. It is very common for the debris from the compressor failure to contaminate driers because the debris is carried throughout the system. Therefore, as a standard practice, accumulators or receiver driers should be replaced whenever you are replacing the A/C compressor. Consider that it's much the same as an oil filter on you engine. You change the oil; you change the oil filter. Like any filter, there is a 'fixed' capacity for how much debris and contamination any filter can hold. Additionally, if the accumulator or drier is not replaced, you are probably going to 'void' your compressor warranty."

BTW... I was a factory-trained Ford / Lincoln / Mercury mechanic for 10 years.

[Chi Stallion]

Good info right here!

[gogettah70]

if its just the clutch will i still have to change parts of the system?

[fastblackmerc]

if its just the clutch will i still have to change parts of the system?

No, just replace the clutch assembly.

[Zim Hosein]

Read this... you'll learn something.

BTW... I was a factory-trained Ford / Lincoln / Mercury mechanic for 10 years.

1. I read your post and learned quite alot, thank you fastblackmerc! :beer:

2. I believe it! :)

[fastblackmerc]

1. I read your post and learned quite alot, thank you fastblackmerc! :beer:

2. I believe it! :)

Glad I could enlighten you...... :-)

:beer::beer: