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AC compressor question..?

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 11:42 am
by jaylee
I got a snapped compressor belt. :roll:

Without the belt & the compressor drive clutch engaged, (AC on) is it normal for the pulley wheel on the compressor to stick & not turn by hand??

... Or is it (as i fear) curtains for the compressor..?!!

Re: AC compressor question..?

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 11:46 am
by helen&tony
Hi
I think it would be tight to turn, but not be stuck hard...could most likely be why your belt snapped?
Will it turn by hand with the A/c off???
Cheers
Helen

Re: AC compressor question..?

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 11:57 am
by jaylee
Yes it turns quite freely with the AC off & the clutch disengaged... But it should do anyway as as the compressor pump mechanism inside the compressor would have stopped...?!


.... come to think of it. That may explain the burning rubber smell a couple of weeks back on the M4, which coincided with my AC blowing "not so cold"... :idea: :arrow:

Re: AC compressor question..?

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 1:17 pm
by helen&tony
Hi
Yes, it should move freely with the pump switched off. Will the pulley move at all when the pump is engaged, or is it entirely seized ?
Have you recently had the system gassed?....if not, i'd be inclined to remove the pump, get it repaired and regassed...at least you're not losing anything if you've not regassed it lately!. I'm pretty sure they can be repaired, as I had one done on another car over here....
Cheers
Helen

Re: AC compressor question..?

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 1:26 pm
by Northern Bongolow
not a pro on this but i would have thought it would be very difficult to turn by hand when the clutch is engaged as its a compressor/pump.
it would be like trying to rotate the engine by hand against the internal compression building up, you would need to overcome the internal valves etc.

Re: AC compressor question..?

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 2:01 pm
by jaylee
I printed off the dosage for an AC recharge.. & got a colleague after work (Who does AC) to re gas it yesterday.. #-o He got the van with all the pro gear.. He extracted the old, done a leak test with the thing.. Following the Bongo fact sheet!

But there was no joy! He'd never done a Bongo before & i know now he should have checked the compressor!!!! & i will address that one with him... [-X [-X

sooooooooooooo,
I went over the whole system this morning after getting in last night & familiarizing my self with the AC system basics on-line last night.. I've seen Youtube vids on big American Dodges & read all manor of AC stuff on here & other sites... :roll:
It all works as it should on my van including the clutch engaging, but the belts snapped.

Due to torque settings on tensioner pulley stuff? & even the compressor mounting points?? I may need an expert on this...

If the compressor has seized? I don't want to go breaking more belts...

Re: AC compressor question..?

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 2:32 pm
by helen&tony
Hi
You can turn a small compressor by hand...I can turn my workshop compressor over..big 2 cylinder...so I guess a small pump should turn???...
Take it up with your A/C man and ask him to fix it. I wonder if it's a common compressor with another vehicle????...if not, I know some parts are serviceable...I had the same hassle with an A/C pump on an Opel froot...ghastly cars...I just stopped using the blighter...however...a Bongo is always worth the extra mile!
Good Luck
Cheers
Helen

Re: AC compressor question..?

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 2:42 pm
by jaylee
Northern Bongolow wrote:not a pro on this but i would have thought it would be very difficult to turn by hand when the clutch is engaged as its a compressor/pump.
it would be like trying to rotate the engine by hand against the internal compression building up, you would need to overcome the internal valves etc.
Yep just spoke to an AC guy & this according to him seems to be the case..
One belt ordered from the Bongo shop & i'll be avin a go at fitting when it arrives!! :mrgreen:

I did give myself a "crash course" last night! :P

Any tips?? Or should i just be able to prize it on???? :-k I suppose if it squeals during a brief flick of the AC switch i'll know my 'pressors dead!! :arrow:

Re: AC compressor question..?

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 3:14 pm
by Northern Bongolow
there should be some sort of adjuster jamie, as i said though, never had anything to do with the aircon pump.

helen, i had one of those opel fruits, mine was a green one, it was horible, but then no one likes the green ones. :lol:

Re: AC compressor question..?

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 3:57 pm
by rita
There is a pic here,they use a pinch bolt and an adjuster bolt (set screw)on the jockey pulley..


http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... adjustment


Cheers.

Re: AC compressor question..?

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 8:07 pm
by jaylee
Cheers for the advice peeps..! :D

Rule of thumb, :idea: quarter turn or half inch play on the belt tension...? http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... no=.html#8

Re: AC compressor question..?

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 9:16 pm
by Northern Bongolow
Northern Bongolow wrote:there should be some sort of adjuster jamie, as i said though, never had anything to do with the aircon pump.
:oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: oh yes thats the one, i had forgotten about that. bugger to get at and adjust from the top with the alternator belts in the way. :oops: :oops: :oops:

Re: AC compressor question..?

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 9:52 pm
by jaylee
Don't worry Ady, i have an inspection pit in front of my garage! :wink:

Re: AC compressor question..?

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 11:00 pm
by Simon Jones
definitely easier to work on from below as it's a bit tight getting it over the crankshaft pulley. Oh to have an inspection pit, or even a nice garage to have one in :).

Re: AC compressor question..?

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 11:03 pm
by jaylee
Simon, where do you keep all your spares then...??? :lol: