air conditioning system compressor

[jason borne]

i have a 1991 v6 camaro 3.1 and my air conditioning compressor started making a load noise like the pully wheel was rubbing against the front of the plate part of the compressor and it was. it made it really hot and the front plate started to turn white and it had this burning smell also. has anyone had this problem before or know what is wrong with the air conditioning compressor. thanks for tour help....

[wrightz28]

First guess would be the compressor clutch assembly went south.

[jason borne]

thanks for the reply, i just want to ask if the clutch assembly went bad do i just replace that or get a whole new compressor

[jason borne]

also can i remove the clutch assemble from the compressor leave the compressor on the car and still be able to drive my car. or is that to much to ask thanks.

[wrightz28]

Some assemblies are servicable, some are not.

Most serpentine setups require a ilder pulley to be put in place if you delete the A/C.

[jason borne]

what i have now is the belt tensioner do i remove it

[jason borne]

Originally Posted by wrightz28

Some assemblies are servicable, some are not.

Most serpentine setups require a ilder pulley to be put in place if you delete the A/C.

i want to delete it for now so i can drive my car in the meantime. would i need to replace the belt tensioner with an idler pulley if so where would it go and is it easy to install thanks for all the help..

[jason borne]

Originally Posted by wrightz28

Some assemblies are servicable, some are not.

Most serpentine setups require a ilder pulley to be put in place if you delete the A/C.

if i install a shorter belt bypassing the compressor will my car still run.

[Morley]

Originally Posted by jason borne

i want to delete it for now so i can drive my car in the meantime. would i need to replace the belt tensioner with an idler pulley if so where would it go and is it easy to install thanks for all the help..

The A/C deleat pulley is a bracket and pulley that sits in place of your A/C compressor. You'd have to remove the compressor to use it, and that would require opening the A/C system and letting all of the refrigerant out.
The clutch can be changed on your compressor but requires a special tool to remove it. Most auto parts stores will "rent" you the tool to do the job.

[wrightz28]

Do it right the first time, so you don't have to do double the work the second

[jason borne]

so if i install a shorter belt on my car and not route it around the compressor leaving the compressor in its place will i be able to drive my car without causing it any damage

[Morley]

Originally Posted by jason borne

so if i install a shorter belt on my car and not route it around the compressor leaving the compressor in its place will i be able to drive my car without causing it any damage

As long as the new belt isn't going to hit anyting else, re-routing belts in an F body can lead to it hitting where it isn't supposed to. Take your belt off and route it like you were wanting and then pinch it to take up the slack and see if it is going to cause any problems.

[wrightz28]

I would think thsi would lead to premature water pump bearing failure.

[jason borne]

Originally Posted by wrightz28

I would think thsi would lead to premature water pump bearing failure.

you were right i went and bought a smaller belt one that skips the ac compressor and i noticed that it was making the water pump work harder it started to leak some water so i put in the longer belt on and it seems cool now

[jason borne]

i am taking the car into a mechanic this monday wonder what its gonna cost