Domestic Car Question

[daepp]

So my niece is a starving student with a hand-me-down 1995 Olds 88 (that she actually loves).

Anyway, the A/C compressor pulley has seized. She does not need A/C where she lives and does not want to pay the $1,100 to replace the compressor and recharge the system. She engine uses one serpentine belt, so it must have this pulley to function.

While I am no where near the car (she's in Nor Cal) I was thinking of shipping her a junkyard compressor with a good pulley/bearing. She's in Sonoma - what is the likelihood of this fixing the problem? Does anyone know a shade tree/ mom-and-pop mechanic in the Sonoma area who would be willing to just bolt this up without regard to A/C function?

[notfarnow]

You may want to check if there was ever a non-ac version of the car.

Depending on where the AC compressor pulley is, she may be able to simply install a different serpentine belt and bypass the AC pulley altogether.

I did that when the AC compressor siezed on my jetta

[dd74]

Just a lark here, but what about a mechanic in our community - i.e. a Porsche mechanic? There are a few up in NorCal, and I'm sure they're more trustworthy than just some schmo with a garage and a socket set. While in a crunch, I've taken my domestic SUV to TRE a couple times, and they were great. I'd post on the Tech board, asking for assistance from a NoCal Porsche mechanic.

[daepp]

Originally Posted by notfarnow

You may want to check if there was ever a non-ac version of the car.

Depending on where the AC compressor pulley is, she may be able to simply install a different serpentine belt and bypass the AC pulley altogether.

I did that when the AC compressor siezed on my jetta

Great idea - that had not occurred to me!

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by daepp

Great idea - that had not occurred to me!

And if you can't do that, you can just get an AC delete pulley:

http://www.acbypasspulleys.com/oldsmobile.html


1995-85 GM Sedan V-6
Item# ACBP202
$29.95
http://www.acbypasspulleys.com/acbp202.html


Cheaper and easier than a used AC compressor, done deal!

[cgarr]

Does the AC Clutch pulley still spin ok? If so Just unplug the wire to the clutch so it cant be engaged.

[daepp]

Originally Posted by cgarr

Does the AC Clutch pulley still spin ok? If so Just unplug the wire to the clutch so it cant be engaged.

My understanding is that the pulley that should "free-wheel", doesn't.

Checked on a shorter belt, but even the non-a/c version used the same belt (must have used an idler pulley).

[Tobra]

Gets pretty hot in Sonoma in July, no A/C sounds fine now, but wait 6 months You would probably be able to use one of many GM compressors, and a recharge should not be that much

[NICKG]

you can buy a compressor for that car used, cheap www.car-parts.com
very easy to do too..

[David]

Isn't this what boyfriends are for?

[nota]

you can buy a new pulley/clutch assm if thats all that is needed
and they should no be a lot 20-50 bucks and eazy to unbolt and R&R
with no need to mess with the recharge ect
if the compressor is locked just leave the wire off the clutch bit

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by nota

you can buy a new pulley/clutch assm if thats all that is needed
and they should no be a lot 20-50 bucks and eazy to unbolt and R&R
with no need to mess with the recharge ect
if the compressor is locked just leave the wire off the clutch bit

Need special tools for that on an 88 olds, going to have to rent the correct puller, but it can be done.

[daepp]

Follow up - 2/9/08

We found a used compressor at a local salvage yard for $44.95. My niece took it back with her to Sonoma where she found a local independent to install it for $100. A prety cheap fix - but they did not hook up the gas (freon) lines just as we had asked.

However, now I am second guessing myself - what lubricates that outer bearing - anyone know? I know that there is normally some oil in an A/C system - have I set her up for another seized bearing in the not too distant future???

[wrecktech]

You can buy a conversion/recharge kit for about $30. Hook it up yourself for about 20 minutes worth of effort. Really easy fix.

[Scott R]

The lines need to be connected so as to not contaminate the inside of the compressor.

[daepp]

We don't care about the compressor - we just want the pulley to turn for another 12 months while she finishes her Masters.

[lendaddy]

Why not go to a wrecking yard and get a replacement?

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by daepp

We don't care about the compressor - we just want the pulley to turn for another 12 months while she finishes her Masters.

If you leave the compressor open dirt will make its was very quickly to the front seal, and the bearing. Freon or not, you need to have the lines and o-rings installed.

[lm6y]

The bearing is a sealed bearing, and permanantly lubricated, so it doesn't need oiling. The compressor clutch spins independently of the compressor shaft, until the clutch kicks in. If not, the compressor would always be engaged.

I would still put the lines back on. If she decides later this summer (well within the 12 months) that it's way too hot to not have A/C, it's going to get really expensive quickly. It will have to have a new Accumulator, have the lines, condensor, and evaporator core flushed, and then charged. If you put the lines back on it, it just needs vacuumed, and charged.

[3.2 CAB]

+1 with Im6y, it is a sealed bearing. The clutch is an electro-magnetic, type of clutch assembly. If no gas charge, at least make all connections to seal the system from contamination.

There was one thing I didn't understand, how could the same belt be used for both the A/C and non-A/C equipped models. I am looking at the service manual for it, and it shows -2- different belts, and different routings. The belt is a LOT shorter on the non A/C engine.

Glad she got it fixed.