Fried clutch on a/c

So my day started very well - enjoyed the Long Island all Buick show at the Vanderbuilt museum. Drove there with no issues and most of the way back.....until I started seeing smoke coming out of my hood scoops. I quickly pulled over and saw that my air conditioning clutch looked like it fried and smoke was pouring out of it. I cut off the a/c belt and that solved the problem. I'm assuming something seized in the a/c - but here is the kicker, I did not have the a/c on at all! So does anyone know why this would happen?o No:

 

maybe the freewheeling bearing (s) on the compressor locked up. Should be able to turn it by hand with AC off and no belt.

does the clutch still "click" if you turn the AC on?

maybe the clutch got activated and the compressor itself was froze up. Had AC been working previously?

 

Had it happen to a chevy I had. The pully berring assmbly on the compressor itself seized up. Sucked B/C i was 20+ miles from home and it had a serp belt on it. I was at work so I grabbed a small V belt we used on auto gate openers and forced it onto the crank pully and water pump. It got me all the way home.

 

how was the show?

Any pictures?

 

>>Just went back out to the garage after dinner. Was able to turn it with the a/c off and no belt as you said. I have a bunch of car parts piled up behind the Buick so I will start the car up again tomorrow after moving everything and see if I hear the click.

The a/c worked previously, but the clutch did not always kick on right away - so I guess that was a sign that it was starting to go.

 

>>Great show - the morning looked real iffy weather wise and I drove with the top up as I thought it might rain on the way there. But the sun eventually came out and the field was almost filled to capacity with Buicks. I took a bunch of pics and will post some here and all of them on the LIBC website and Facebook page. Also took first in my class which was cool

The LIBC president announced at the end of the show that next year's show will also be at the Vanderbuilt museum. Plus, it seems like there might be a Fall show as well at Karp Buick - apparently, Buick management contacted the club and was interested in getting the club at one of its dealerships. Nice to see Buick starting to support its clubs now.

 

could be that its engaging but just is shot enough to slip under pressure from the compressor. sounds like it.

 

Okay, new question - the air condition before this incident was a little iffy - you sometimes had to click on the a/c switch in the car more than once to get it to go on. With that in mind, is it still better to just get a remanufactured a/c clutch for $120 or a complete remanufactured a/c compressor with clutch for $235? I'm sort of leaning towards getting the whole compressor with clutch to avoid any more problems with the a/c.

 

Hi guys,

Since I was able to get a cheap used '72 compressor with clutch I decided that I will swap the clutches and keep the old freon for now. I do need an A/C compressor clutch pulley puller so I figured that I would try to find one for a cheap price. I did find a nice used one for $20 - just want to make sure it would do the job. I know they are basically like steering wheel pullers so would this one do the job?

 

So you can replace the clutch without opening the system and loosing freon? good to know :TU:

 

>>I'm hoping this is the case - otherwise I will have to get a new compressor which I was hoping to avoid as I would have to get the system recharged then.

 

Chris can you please let me know if it really can be done (change the clutch) with the compressor still in place (a few photos would be great).
My system had a R12 re-charge in the US just before the clutch burned (R12 is like impossible to get here).
I do have 2 spare compressors with good clutches, so I might not have to change to 134A.
:beer

 

>>Hi Jason,
Okay, thank you very much - I really appreciate it:TU: Today I have to move everything out of the old house so I'll give you a call Saturday to drop by. I figured you were busy with new your Buick acquisition:grin:

 

Hi Rob,
I'll let you know how I make out with the a/c clutch swap - fingers crossed!

 

>>Yow, that will be a hot one. I should get a break today and perhaps can shoot on by to borrow the puller otherwise I'll drop on by early tomorrow.

By the way, there was a really nice green '72 GS at the cruise in Oakdale last night - lots of options on it as well!

 

I had met the guy once before at Bald Hill when he was checking out my Buick but he didn't have the GS with him then. His GS is very original - loved seeing the cruise control set up on the car!