| Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement | |
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GMFreak8 Addict
Name : Kyle Age : 36 Location : Malone, New York Joined : 2009-03-15 Post Count : 638 Merit : 15
| Subject: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Tue Sep 15, 2009 12:15 am | |
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Rickw Guru
Name : Rick Location : Lancaster, MA Joined : 2008-09-13 Post Count : 6282 Merit : 119
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Tue Sep 15, 2009 2:28 am | |
| The clutch is replaceable separately. I had mine replaced at the dealer a couple of years ago. | |
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GMFreak8 Addict
Name : Kyle Age : 36 Location : Malone, New York Joined : 2009-03-15 Post Count : 638 Merit : 15
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:17 am | |
| - Rickw wrote:
- The clutch is replaceable separately.
I had mine replaced at the dealer a couple of years ago. Glad to hear that. Any idea what the cost was? I was going to drive it until it stopped functioning, but I'm getting strange looks at the stop light now it's so loud unless I have the AC on. It sounds like I have a cat under the hood that had it's tail stepped on. | |
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DEMonte1997 Aficionado
Name : Rick Age : 46 Location : CT Joined : 2009-03-03 Post Count : 1429 Merit : 37
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Thu Sep 17, 2009 4:09 pm | |
| I'm curious about this too. Pretty sure mine is done. | |
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Rickw Guru
Name : Rick Location : Lancaster, MA Joined : 2008-09-13 Post Count : 6282 Merit : 119
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Thu Sep 17, 2009 5:43 pm | |
| i don't know how much it cost to replace the clutch assembly. I had an extended warranty at the time and it was a covered item. They replaced that and the expansion valve, filter and flushed and filled the system along with other work i was having them do. You'll have to get a quote from any shop capable of doing AC repairs. I would have it done sooner rather than later. Right now the clutch is making metal shavings and sticking to the magnet in the clutch assembly. Things only get more expensive as time goes on. In my case they were still able to remove just the clutch and replace it, but I've been told if you wait till it completely fries then it may get seized to the shaft and your looking at a whole new compressor. Not cheap. | |
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GMFreak8 Addict
Name : Kyle Age : 36 Location : Malone, New York Joined : 2009-03-15 Post Count : 638 Merit : 15
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Thu Sep 17, 2009 6:55 pm | |
| Well I ordered a new clutch assembly from Autozone for 93.99. They were the only parts store that even carried it. Every other place I went the only thing they offered was the whole compressor and clutch assembly. Which was $300 for the cheap model.
Now does anything else have to be done to the system when the clutch is changed besides refill it? | |
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Rickw Guru
Name : Rick Location : Lancaster, MA Joined : 2008-09-13 Post Count : 6282 Merit : 119
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Thu Sep 17, 2009 7:31 pm | |
| Removing the clutch does not require removing any freon. It is totally separate from the pump part of the compressor. All you need is the proper puller as far as I know. | |
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GMFreak8 Addict
Name : Kyle Age : 36 Location : Malone, New York Joined : 2009-03-15 Post Count : 638 Merit : 15
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Fri Sep 18, 2009 11:39 pm | |
| - Rickw wrote:
- Removing the clutch does not require removing any freon. It is totally separate from the pump part of the compressor. All you need is the proper puller as far as I know.
D'oh that's right. Nevermind. | |
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GMFreak8 Addict
Name : Kyle Age : 36 Location : Malone, New York Joined : 2009-03-15 Post Count : 638 Merit : 15
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Sat Apr 03, 2010 11:15 am | |
| So the clutch went out on me again. 3 month warranty of course so I'm stuck buying another one. Doesn't make any noise or anything, it just will not engage. You can hear it trying and the RPMs fluctuate, but it will not engage. I got pissed off at it, and took a screw driver out and starting to bang on it (this is what I do when nothing else works), well long story short I can now engage the AC clutch by taking a long screw driver, quickly inserting it between the clutch and the pulley and twisting it. That causes the clutch to engage and I have AC. I refuse to get out, open the hood and use a screw driver to turn my AC on, so I'm replacing it again. Wish there was a higher quality clutch assembly for around the same price, but if I was to get the AC Delco clutch assembly, it'd be as much as the compressor and clutch combo. I don't want to replace the compressor and screw with the coolant already in the system and replacing the evaporator and whatnot too.
Very frustrating, hopefully this next one lasts. | |
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GMFreak8 Addict
Name : Kyle Age : 36 Location : Malone, New York Joined : 2009-03-15 Post Count : 638 Merit : 15
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Sat Apr 24, 2010 2:45 pm | |
| Ended up being the AC Compressor. Got that replaced and the money from the clutch refunded and I'm all set now. That is until the next thing... | |
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L67 Aficionado
Name : Matt Joined : 2007-06-05 Post Count : 1125 Merit : 37
| Subject: A/C Compressor Clutch Repair Tue Jun 08, 2010 6:33 pm | |
| Lately I have been having a metallic grinding noise coming from the engine bay and I have narrowed it down to the A/C compressor. Usually, whenever the A/C is turned off the noise persists, and upon engaging the A/C from inside the car the noise ceases (My A/C also blows nice warm air ). Anyway, I have been reading around and found other 3800 owners with the same noise claiming that the A/C Compressor Clutch or Pulley Bearing is worn out. My question is, is it worth (and feasible) trying to repair the clutch on my OEM compressor? Does it require opening the refrigerant system, at which point it would be better just to put a new compressor on? I apologize in advance for any errors in this post as I am still not well versed in the world of A/C. | |
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Rickw Guru
Name : Rick Location : Lancaster, MA Joined : 2008-09-13 Post Count : 6282 Merit : 119
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Tue Jun 08, 2010 6:38 pm | |
| The clutch assembly is replaceable without going into the A/C system. It requires a special puller.
If you have no A/C now, I would be sure it wasn't just the clutch. It could also be a problem with the compressor. If that's the case then you will have wasted your money on a clutch, unless you can find a rebuilt compressor without a clutch. | |
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L67 Aficionado
Name : Matt Joined : 2007-06-05 Post Count : 1125 Merit : 37
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Tue Jun 08, 2010 6:39 pm | |
| - Rickw wrote:
- The clutch assembly is replaceable without going into the A/C system.
It requires a special puller.
If you have no A/C now, I would be sure it wasn't just the clutch. It could also be a problem with the compressor. If that's the case then you will have wasted your money on a clutch, unless you can find a rebuilt compressor without a clutch. Well the air blowing out isn't necessarily hot, its more lukewarm. Could this be a sign that the clutch is not fully engaging? | |
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Rickw Guru
Name : Rick Location : Lancaster, MA Joined : 2008-09-13 Post Count : 6282 Merit : 119
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Tue Jun 08, 2010 6:40 pm | |
| It would take some hands on diagnosis to tell what is going on with your A/C system. Sorry. | |
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L67 Aficionado
Name : Matt Joined : 2007-06-05 Post Count : 1125 Merit : 37
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Tue Jun 08, 2010 6:43 pm | |
| - Rickw wrote:
- It would take some hands on diagnosis to tell what is going on with your A/C system.
Sorry. I'm not looking for a clearcut solution to my issue, rather just trying to understand the system and how it works. So is it plausible to think that a failing clutch wouldn't engage and activate the compressor properly, or am i way off base? | |
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Rickw Guru
Name : Rick Location : Lancaster, MA Joined : 2008-09-13 Post Count : 6282 Merit : 119
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Tue Jun 08, 2010 6:54 pm | |
| - L67 wrote:
- Rickw wrote:
- The clutch assembly is replaceable without going into the A/C system.
It requires a special puller.
If you have no A/C now, I would be sure it wasn't just the clutch. It could also be a problem with the compressor. If that's the case then you will have wasted your money on a clutch, unless you can find a rebuilt compressor without a clutch. Well the air blowing out isn't necessarily hot, its more lukewarm. Could this be a sign that the clutch is not fully engaging? Generally the clutch either engages or it doesn't, no in between. It is an electric clutch. Watch under the hood whith a flashlight while someone else turns on the climate control. If you see the clutch engage and start turning then that answers that question, almost. Look for metal shaving stuck to the clutch, there is a strong magnet involved in that clutch and if it has metal shavings all around it, it is a sign that the compressor is operating with too much resistance possibly, or the clutch itself has just gone bad. There are a lot maybe's and if's when it comes to properly diagnosing the A/C system. The next question is: does your system have a leak and has it leaked some freon out giving you something less than cold air. This is where a set of gauges will come in to play, to measure the High and Low pressure sides of the system. I do not know what they should be off the top of my head. The FSM may tell. Or you can buy a can of freon, R134A that comes with the installation hose, install a can of that for about $10.00 and see if you get colder air out of the dash. If you are, then you need to pay someone to find and fix the leak(s). Maybe one of resident mechanics can chime in and offer some better diagnostic advise. Good Luck | |
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Eldo Expert
Name : Mark Age : 59 Location : West Salem, Oregon... FINALLY Joined : 2009-04-09 Post Count : 3174 Merit : 104
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Tue Jun 08, 2010 7:08 pm | |
| - L67 wrote:
- Lately I have been having a metallic grinding noise coming from the engine bay and I have narrowed it down to the A/C compressor. Usually, whenever the A/C is turned off the noise persists, and upon engaging the A/C from inside the car the noise ceases
What you are describing is a classic idler bearing problem. When the pump is stationary and the pulley/hub is freewheeling, you're hearing the worn-out bearing in the hub. When you engage the clutch, the hub and compressor shaft turn as one, so the idler bearing is no longer turning and no longer making noise. Unfortunately, I have no idea how deep one must go to fix this on a V-5 compressor, and the location makes it very difficult to work on... In the book, it sounds like the hub & clutch come off together, while on the one pump I ever worked on, the old A-6, only the clutch came off with the puller. I strongly suspect that this is a job for an established A/C shop. | |
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L67 Aficionado
Name : Matt Joined : 2007-06-05 Post Count : 1125 Merit : 37
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Tue Jun 08, 2010 7:25 pm | |
| Thanks for all of your responses guys, I figured the A/C was probably too much for the Sunday afternoon mechanic anyway | |
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deekster_caddy Master
Name : Derek Age : 52 Location : Reading, MA Joined : 2007-01-31 Post Count : 7717 Merit : 109
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Wed Jun 09, 2010 2:41 pm | |
| A/C repairs are either $100 or $1000. Good luck. | |
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L67 Aficionado
Name : Matt Joined : 2007-06-05 Post Count : 1125 Merit : 37
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Fri Jul 09, 2010 3:05 pm | |
| Will a compressor from another 3800 powered car (L67 or L36) fit a Riviera? | |
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AA Administrator
Name : Aaron Age : 47 Location : C-bus, Ohio Joined : 2007-01-13 Post Count : 18451 Merit : 252
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Fri Jul 09, 2010 3:15 pm | |
| Yes, AC compressors from the following are interchangeable:
BUICK LESABRE 1999 BUICK LESABRE CUSTOM (1996 - 1998) BUICK LESABRE LIMITED (1996 - 1998) BUICK PARK AVENUE 1996 BUICK PARK AVENUE ULTRA 1996 BUICK RIVIERA (1996 - 1999) OLDSMOBILE 88 1999 OLDSMOBILE 88 ROYALE (1996 - 1998) OLDSMOBILE 88 ROYALE LS (1996 - 1998) OLDSMOBILE 98 REGENCY ELITE 1996 OLDSMOBILE LSS (1996 - 1999) OLDSMOBILE REGENCY (1997 - 1998) PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SE (1996 - 1998) PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSE (1996 - 1998) _________________ '05 GTO 6.0L • 6-spd • 95k miles • 0-60: 4.8s • 16.9 avg MPG • Nelson Ledges Lap: 1:26'95 Celica GT 2.2L • 5-spd • 165k miles • 0-60: yes'98 SC Riviera • 281k miles • 298 HP/370 TQ • 0-60: 5.79s • ET: 13.97 @ 99.28 • 4087 lb • 20.1 avg MPG • Nelson Ledges Lap: 1:30 3.4" pulley • AL104 plugs • 180º t-stat • FWI w/K&N • 1.9:1 rockers • OR pushrods • LS6 valve springs • SLP headers • ZZP fuel rails KYB GR2 struts • MaxAir shocks • Addco sway bars • UMI bushings • GM STB • Enkei 18" EV5s w/ Dunlop DZ101s • F-body calipers EBC bluestuff/Hawk HP plus • SS lines • Brembo slotted discs • DHP tuned • Aeroforce • Hidden Hitch^^^ SOLD ^^^ '70 Ninety-Eight Holiday Coupe 455cid • 116k miles^^^ SOLD ^^^ | |
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L67 Aficionado
Name : Matt Joined : 2007-06-05 Post Count : 1125 Merit : 37
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Fri Jul 09, 2010 3:18 pm | |
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albertj Master
Name : Location : Finger Lakes of New York State Joined : 2007-05-31 Post Count : 8682 Merit : 181
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Sat Aug 07, 2010 8:12 am | |
| For the record here are some (probably) useful posts on AC clutches: 1) a clutch repair (information only - diff type of compressor) http://www.bernardembden.com/xjs/comclutch/index.htm 2) a chart of clutch problems and causes with commentary http://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/cgi-bin/ryderfp/technicalbulletins/acClutchfail.jsp 3) Other comments (same type compressor as ours) http://flashoffroad.com/Maintenance/hvac/airconditioning/clutchPullyService.htm Albertj | |
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moldymac Fanatic
Name : David Age : 40 Location : CT Joined : 2010-01-22 Post Count : 289 Merit : 19
| Subject: Write-Up: Air Conditioning (AC) Compressor Replacement Tue Aug 10, 2010 8:04 pm | |
| I finally found the leak in my AC system, its the seals on the compressor. Rather than try to repair this one with its failing clutch (can the seals even be replaced?), I bought a brand new Delphi replacement from rockauto. I plan on installing it myself, but having a shop charge the system. I also bought a new orifice tube and accumulator. The instructions mention I need to add oil to the new compressor, and to measure how much I get out of my old one. How do I get the old oil out, and put the new oil in? I see what might be a plug on the housing of the new compressor, do I pull that out, or does it pour out through the refrigerant fittings? | |
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albertj Master
Name : Location : Finger Lakes of New York State Joined : 2007-05-31 Post Count : 8682 Merit : 181
| Subject: Re: Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement Tue Aug 10, 2010 9:30 pm | |
| - moldymac wrote:
- I finally found the leak in my AC system, its the seals on the compressor. Rather than try to repair this one with its failing clutch (can the seals even be replaced?), I bought a brand new Delphi replacement from rockauto. I plan on installing it myself, but having a shop charge the system. I also bought a new orifice tube and accumulator. The instructions mention I need to add oil to the new compressor, and to measure how much I get out of my old one. How do I get the old oil out, and put the new oil in? I see what might be a plug on the housing of the new compressor, do I pull that out, or does it pour out through the refrigerant fittings?
IIRC it pours out thru refrigerant fittings. As it turns out I have my FSM set tonight. The PAG oil charges for the HVAC system on the 1998 Riv, according to the FSM: COMPRESSOR = 240 mL = 9 fl. oz EVAPORATOR = 90 mL = 3 fl. oz CONDENSER = 30 mL = 1 fl. oz ACCUMULATOR = 105 mL = 3.5 fl. oz REFRIGERANT CAPACITY = 0.91 Kg = 2.0 lbs. SO - you ought to get about a cup and a tablespoon-ish of oil out of the compressor. Watch out for the possibility that the previous owner added refrigerant with oil to the system. If I was you I'd use the chart from the FSM. It says that when you replace the named component (Condenser for instance) you need to pour that amount of PAG oil into that component (1 oz). Albertj | |
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| Write-Up: AC Compressor & Clutch Replacement | |
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