'95 Ciera SL 3.1L - AC Comp Clutch Issue & Question

[Buddur]

My wife's car is a 1995 Olds Cutlass Ciera SL with a 3.1L V6 engine having ~160K miles.

The AC compressor clutch recently died as it was screaching and giving off metal shavings. A few days ago I replaced the whole clutch assembly. The clutch will NOT engage now when the AC is turned on, and after a few minutes with the engine on it starts squealing like there is rubbing between the clutch and pulley. I'm beginning to believe the original clutch going bad was a symptom of a larger issue and am now afraid I will ruin the new clutch if left as is.

In order to drive the car, I'm inclined to either disconnect the comp's wire harness or remove just the clutch (only running the pulley) to save the new clutch and pulley from being worn down until I can get the larger issue taken care of. I can't see how removing just the clutch would affect anything other than save it from further wear. The pulley is secured to the comp shaft with a C-clip, so it's not going anywhere. I'd probably have to fill with grease around the comp shaft to help keep keep dirt out.

Anywho... Is removing the clutch as an interim measure a good idea for now, or will it affect the system somehow that I can't think of? Would it be better to simply disconnect the wire harness to the AC compressor for now?

Also, what could cause these symptoms?

Thanks in advance!
Buddur in W PA

[gmtech1]

Just disconnect it. Is the compressor locked up?

[Buddur]

Thanks for the reply, gmtech1. The compressor is not locked up. At least it wasn't when I replaced the clutch.

After the install, and the engine running, every 15-20 seconds the clutch would engage for a second or two even when the AC was turned off, and the clutch engaged when turning the AC on. It seemed like it was working then. Now it doesn't engage at all...but sounds like it's trying to.

I'll disconnect the wire harness. Fortunately, I have 5-6 months to prep for the fix.

[gmtech1]

Is the clutch gap set correctly? I don't know off hand what it is on your vehicle, maybe someone else here does. If not, I'm sure you could find it with a little research.

[Buddur]

Clutch gap? That's is a very good question as yesterday after disconnecting the wire harness I started the car to watch the clutch and it still wanted to grab the pulley and slowly turn the compressor.

Nowhere could I find info on the clutch and specs for this vehicle. My Haynes manual says NOTHING about replacing the clutch, only the compressor. So prior to the job I read alot during a net search and also watched YouTube videos on clutch replacement and most indicated the need to replace spacers to ensure proper gap. There were no spacers in the old clutch and none came with the new one. The pulley seats onto the comp housing and is held in place with a C-clip, and the clutch seats into the comp housing with a nut. I got the feeling the way they are installed automatically sets the gap. Frankly, when installing the pulley I barely got the C-clip on, so maybe the pulley is sitting ever-so-slightly closer to the clutch than it should be.

Thanks again for the reply. I'll check around today for gap specs. <finger's crossed>

[gmtech1]

Should be between .015-.020" or .40mm-.50mm. If it's ok you probably need to replace the compressor.

[Buddur]

Thanks for the info as I couldn't find the gap specs at all.

I'm pretty sure the gap is too small. Tomorrow I'll rent the clutch puller and size the gap accordingly, hook the wire harness back up and turn on the AC to test the compressor. I'll post afterward.

Thanks again, gmtech1!

The AC has always worked well, however, it figures the AC would now fart out somehow as I replaced the heater core in October. At least I won't need the AC for a while.

[Buddur]

Well, yesterday I got the tool and sized the gap accordingly. The system now won't even kick on the clutch when I turn on the AC. Apparently I fixed the effect of the issue...but not the issue itself. Ugh!

Done all kinds of repairs, but never anything to an AC system. Looks like I'll be doing alot of reading and learning about AC systems this Winter.

Thanks again gmtech1 for your assistance.
Buddur

[brcidd]

This post should help- sounds like the same issue you are experiencing...

Metallic V-5 clutch sound - scraping

[Buddur]

Good news...the AC compressor is working and kicking out cold air.
This morning I woke up thinking that maybe when I last tested the compressor the garage was too cold and a temp sensor would not kick on the AC because of the low temp. I'm not even sure if there is a temp sensor... So this morning when I went into town I turned on the heater and got the passenger compartment pretty darn hot by the time I got home. After opening the hood I turned on the AC and sure enough the compressor clutch kicked in and the AC started throwing cold air into the car. Hopefully this solves all issues...I'll find out in time.

Based upon that thread, brcidd, maybe all I needed to do was re-gap the old clutch. But looking at how beat up, ground and grooved, the old pulley and clutch are, IMO they needed replaced.

I'm just glad to get this repair behind me since I thought it was going to take much more to complete.

Thanks everyone, and Happy Holidays!
Buddur

[Tech II]

Yeah, probably just a gap problem.....A/C probably came on if you had it in defrost(you said it was coing on without the A/C on)......