a/c compressor????

[Bimmer9]

Hello everyone,
This past Saturday I refilled the air conditioning in my 318i 1991 bmw with freeon. The car has been w/o air conditioning usage for a very long time; that is, the compressor was for more than two yrs w/o usage. On Saturday, the a/c was cooling fine after the refill. The car was running fine as always. It was until later that day that I smelled a faint burning and then the air stop coming out cold. I got home, parked the car. An hour later I needed to drive the car to the store and the car made a loud squeek noise coming from the front of the engine when I tried to start it. Now the car would not start at all and smoke comes out from the belts (i think). I am thinking that may be the compressor pulley went out. But would this prevent the car from starting at all???

[joeval]

It would if the compressor pulley is frozen. Take off the belt and see if you can turn the a/c pully. If you can't, you will need to replace it or see if they have a belt that does not include the a/c so you can use the car for now.

[Bimmer9]

What could have made the compressor freeze? Is it easy to replace the compressor? I could get one on line, but I have never done a compressor replacement before, but I don't want to pay big bucks to have it done.

[joeval]

Well, the whole compressor didn't freeze, it's probably the clutch that gave out. Since you hadn't used the a/c, it was probably not well lubricated so it heats ups and the bearings give. It's not much to change the compressor but it is also recommended to change the filter and valve in order for the compressor to have a warranty. You will also need the tools to do a vacuum in the system and to add oil and the freon (or r-134). You may want to check the clutch assembly since that can be bought separetly but usually the price difference is not that much.

[Bimmer9]

Thanks for your help. I was shopping around for another compressor and they are expensive. I decided to remove the belt from the a/c unit so that my car can start and I can drive it. A/c is a comodity, so I'll just suck it up and fix it when I'll have the money.