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        General >> Problems >> air con compressor smoking and self destructing
        
(Message started by: urchinboy on Mar 21^st, 2004, 7:30pm)

Title: air con compressor smoking and self destructing
Post by urchinboy on Mar 21^st, 2004, 7:30pm

Car in question here is a M reg 2.0 16v ultima saloon. After a 30 minute drive across town today I stopped the car to find smoke pouring out from under the bonnet. Upon opening the bonnet I found it was coming from what I think is the air con compressor or some such air con related piece of machinery on the right hand side low down under the water pump.

After letting it all cool down for a few hours I have just driven home with the air con off and no problems apart from a lingering smell of burning.

Am i right in assuming that this is the compressor and has anyone had a similar problem in the past. I guess the unit is dead and so would also appreciate any advice about the cost of getting it fixed. If its not too hugely complex to fit a new one I am fairly confident about giving it a bash myself. Alternatively, does anyone know how much labour might be involved in fixing it.

I would also appreciate opinions about whether its going to be ok to drive without any air con in the meantime.

Many thanks.

Title: Re: air con compressor smoking and self destructin
Post by SaveTheNight on Mar 21^st, 2004, 8:05pm

an expensive item urchin .. try sourcing a s/h unit which shouldn't be too difficult < although they do suffer on those > .. regards ...STN ..obviously for now you need to disconnect the unit from its belt ...

Title: Re: air con compressor smoking and self destructin
Post by ijeffery on Mar 21^st, 2004, 9:21pm

I have an AIR CON pump that i took off of my 24v cosworth engine before fitting it to my capri. its in my shed currently unloved.

yours for a fee if you require it.

I have a pic if you want to check numbers, etc.

you can leave mea message, or email ianjeffery@hotmail.com.

hope it helps.

Title: Re: air con compressor smoking and self destructin
Post by iainc on Mar 22^nd, 2004, 2:27pm

Dear UrchinBoy

I have recently had a similar-sounding problem on my 2.3. The smoke/heat was generated because of the collapse of the bearings in the magnetic clutch. My compressor is ok, but other parts in the A-C unit were not. There was an unhappy sequence of events that occurred during a long drive down the M6 which meant that I did not hear that the front condenser fan had switched to high speed (which would have indicated the fault). The consequences have been extremely expensive in time and in materials. Although the compressor seems unaffected, the R134 was pretty well lost and air got in to the system; the expansion valve seized and, although the freezer dryer was ok, it was thought better to replace it because of being exposed to the atmosphere (it is technically a service item after 4 - 5 years anyway); then the de-ice probe was found to have failed ... The final hypothesis is that it may have been this probe that had failed first (even intermittently) resulting in a build up of pressure in the system, ultimately putting unrelenting strain on the clutch bearings (normally the clutch clicks in and out on a regular basis but, under these circumstances, it was probably engaged all the time trying to turn a system permanently on high pressure). In summary, don't assume that you need a new compressor... yet... The clutch part cost £150 +vat ex Fords, plus you may need a new drive belt. In any event, you will need to visit an a-c specialist who can pressure test your car's system, check the volume of gas and the cycle behaviour etc.

Re driving: check first whether the clutch is engaging/disengaging when you switch the a-c on/off. When disengaged, the clutch should not spin with the belt. If the clutch is disengaged and if the drive belt is ok, your car can be driven quite safely as long as you switch off the a-c.

Iain C