hey guys--

so at some point i melted my ac tensioner pulley/belt setup. i bought a new belt and plastic pulley and installed it but it just screeches like crazy or if i tighten it the car won't turn over.. the ac compressor pulley does not turn at all by hand (though i'm not sure if it's supposed to?) so i'm thinking maybe there's something wrong there as well.

ideas? i'd rather try to figure it out myself than take it to someone. i thought a new belt and pulley would be sufficient but there's something else going on. also, i should have taken a pic of the spaghetti mess that my belt became cause we all know threads fail without pics.

thanks!!

 

Could it be that the old belt went into meltdown because the AC compressor was already failing?

 

Either the compressor is seized or the bearing (inside the pulley) is seized .

 

yeah that's what i'm thinking..

how can i check which one? can it be repaired or do i need a new compressor?

 

More then likely the compressor is seized but here is how you can isolate the problem. With the engine off and no belt on the system; check the clutch for clearance between the pulley face and driven plate. If there is no clearance, the clutch is seized. If there is clearance, see if the pulley rotates freely; if not, you will need to replace the bearing. If the pulley rotates the next check is the compressor. Get out your 3/8 drive ratchet and socket that fits the nut holding the clutch plate on, try to rotate the clutch plate in a clockwise direction, it should rotate easy.

 

what do you mean by clutch plate?

the pulley doesn't rotate at all and i can't see anything obstructing it....

 

Is the pulley and clutch plate locked together?

 

The AC compressor uses an internal magnetic clutch to control engage/disengage.

 

yeah that metal plate and the pulley are both together and neither will rotate.. also it looks like there's still some melty plastic on the back (engine side) of the pulley

 

Uh-oh, that's not good. Sounds like time to replace the compressor and clutch. I'd also recommend you replace the expansion valve too.

 

crap. i just canceled my (until today) useless extended warranty too...

so if i buy the parts used what all do i need? just the AC compressor? what's the expansion valve? is that some other part i'll need?

 

Have you ever figured out why the system locked up in the first place? Have you ever done this type of work before? If not, I recommend you read up on everything involved. The expansion valve is the device which lowers the pressure in the evaporator making the system cold.

Parts you will need are compressor, clutch assembly, assorted o-rings and expansion valve. I don't recommend used parts, especially the expansion valve. You will also need a flushing solution and a way to flush the system; freon, oil, a gauge set and vacumn pump.. I would also recommend you remove the condensor and clean it if your inspection shows it to be serviceable.

 

ewwwwwww. that sounds terrible.. i basically just learn this stuff as i go so, no, i've never worked on something like this before and have no idea how to do it yet. haha