Is this possible? My mechanic called me after relaxing my belt today to tell me the compressor just broke the new belt. I now need to replace both. How does this happen? Maybe it was the compressor making that noise and not the tensioner pulley I had expected. Thoughts?
AC compressor breaking serpentine belt
- Thread starter 01LS3.9
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joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
Yes, it happens. You may have had a small leak at the compressor (seems common) and over a few months you could have lost most of your compressor oil. After that happens, the compressor can seize.
Please note that you need much more than just a new belt and compressor now. You will also have to replace the receiver/dryer (easy and cheap), the expansion valve (valve is not too expensive but the whole dash has to come out to replace it), and get the whole system correctly and completely flushed. Ford also recommends that an inline filter be installed.
You will want to skip some or all of that. If you do, the little metal particles that your dying compressor circulated in the system will kill your brand new compressor in weeks or months.
Please note that you need much more than just a new belt and compressor now. You will also have to replace the receiver/dryer (easy and cheap), the expansion valve (valve is not too expensive but the whole dash has to come out to replace it), and get the whole system correctly and completely flushed. Ford also recommends that an inline filter be installed.
You will want to skip some or all of that. If you do, the little metal particles that your dying compressor circulated in the system will kill your brand new compressor in weeks or months.
Thanks Joe. I appreciate the help. This list of fixes is getting long really quick. But I'm determined to make this work. I have loved the LS for years and am really happy to have one finally, even if it is a headache right now. I know I have asked a lot of questions on here. I appreciate your (and others) patience. Off to google how to change this myself. 
Joe, I found this by searching! YAY ME!
I believe my clutch is the actual part that failed, which made the belt snap, right? And if that's the case, I can just replace the clutch and not have to worry about the expansion valve. I can still do the R/D just for good measure, but if the valve can be skipped then by all means I'm in. Because the car was at the mechanic's I did not see what happened exactly. He said the belt broke (again, he JUST put it on) after the car ran for a few minutes. He called me and said I need a new compressor and belt but I am going to call him in the morning and see if it's JUST the clutch I need.
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
It's possible, but very unlikely that the clutch is the problem. A belt being broken is going to be because the compressor is seized or the clutch is falling off. If the clutch were falling off, he wouldn't have missed that putting a new belt on to be ruined. A seized compressor however wouldn't normally be detected until the engine is started and the AC turned on.
Ok. Thanks Joe. I have another question (go figure). If I were to source a compressor and clutch from a salvage yard, what do I specfically need to be careful in doing? I know that I run a risk of getting a used part. But what are the specific potential problems with sourcing a compressor? Should I stay away from vehicles that have already had CERTAIN parts removed? I know there are hoses that, when opened, let in moisture, which can lead to issues in the AC system. But if I find a complete car (or nearly), am I good to grab the compressor? I got my aux pump from a salvage vehicle that was complete but I'm afraid I may have ruined that compressor because we had to remove what I assume is the AC recharge unit next to radiator sitting just over the aux pump. There were hoses exposed and if these are the hoses that let moisture in, I'll stay away from that one. But if it's good to go, then so am I! I know that was verbose. Sorry.
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
Personally, I just wouldn't do it. I'd sooner take a chance with a low cost aftermarket compressor.
The ones in the junkyards will all have been exposed to the air with little or no oil for too long, in my opinion. Of course, you may come out okay that way.
The ones in the junkyards will all have been exposed to the air with little or no oil for too long, in my opinion. Of course, you may come out okay that way.
I hear you. But IF I happen along one that is complete like I did Sunday, it wouldn't have been exposed, right? So when I remove it, it doesn't matter anymore because I'm using the part I take, not the hoses and what not. Correct? Or am I way off base?
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
It's only not been exposed if when you go to remove it, Refrigerant sprays everywhere from the first connection that you disconnect.
Ok. Of course, I am not publically saying that I would let refrigerant spray into the atmosphere but if that happened then the compressor has not been exposed and can be then sourced from the salvage vehicle. Do I need to drain the compressor or anything like that? Any special prep stuff I need to do to it once I harvest it? Thanks again, good sir. I'm dedicated to making this thing safe and reliable.
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
You would want to drain the compressor and then refill with the correct amount of PAG oil. There will be an uncertain amount of oil trapped in the receiver/dryer. I hope that you are at least replacing this with a new one.
You'll have to pull over 29" of vacuum for at least an hour, then recharge with the correct amount of R-134a. Note that you need to shop for cans that are just R-134a, and not ones with other stuff added in.
You'll have to pull over 29" of vacuum for at least an hour, then recharge with the correct amount of R-134a. Note that you need to shop for cans that are just R-134a, and not ones with other stuff added in.
Thanks, Joe. Yes, I would get the R/D new. I ended up finding an auto recycler who was selling one for $100 (list price was $150). He gauranteed me that they cap the hoses/tubes to keep it from getting moisture and take whatever other necessary steps to make sure it stays good. So I took that to my mechanic today.
He called me later and said it was the wrong part, that the bracket was too big. I called the auto recycler and he told me to have the mechanic call him and they would figure it out. I haven't heard back yet. Keeping my fingers crossed.
He called me later and said it was the wrong part, that the bracket was too big. I called the auto recycler and he told me to have the mechanic call him and they would figure it out. I haven't heard back yet. Keeping my fingers crossed.