Compressor Question for the A/C Experts

[dkirk]

When recently doing a shaft seal replacement on my Denso 10P15C compressor, I noticed that the clutch friction surfaces were pitted and abraded:



When the shaft seal leaks, oil is thrown out almost directly in the plane of the clutch faces. If oil is present, clutch could potentially begin to slip as A/C pressure builds and torque required to drive the compressor increases. From the look of these distressed surfaces, slipping was indeed occurring.

My question – could slipping compressor clutches be a major player in the poor performance of 911 air conditioning systems?

[ShakinJoe]

Yes. Similar question to "Could a slipping clutch affect my acceleration rate"

Your compressor has to take refrigerant from a low pressure to a high pressure. If it is slipping......no good.

[Scott R]

Looks pretty normal for an old AC compressor. Yours looks pretty good actually given the age. If it's slipping I would suspect compressor internals before the clutch.

This is about a 2001 Jeep for instance.

[kuehl]

Normal wear.

Things tend to tear and get hammered when they come together, ey!

[wwest]

Originally Posted by dkirk

When recently doing a shaft seal replacement on my Denso 10P15C compressor, I noticed that the clutch friction surfaces were pitted and abraded:



When the shaft seal leaks, oil is thrown out almost directly in the plane of the clutch faces. If oil is present, clutch could potentially begin to slip as A/C pressure builds and torque required to drive the compressor increases. From the look of these distressed surfaces, slipping was indeed occurring.

My question – could slipping compressor clutches be a major player in the poor performance of 911 air conditioning systems?

NO..!

If the clutch were slipping enough to adversely affect the A/C efficiency the clutch surface would wear out within a much shorter period than has proved to be normal.

[dkirk]

Thanks guys. Good, logical replies. I won't worry about clutch slippage causing my wife to complain about the lack of A/C in our 911. It's getting new hoses, expansion valve, and thorough cleaning of the evaporator. Will be recharged with R-134A plus proper amount of lubricant. Best of all, I asked for (and received) a Kuehl Vent for Christmas. This will permanently be aimed right in her face whenever she's in the car during a summer ride with blower fan on high.

[Neel]

Originally Posted by kuehl

Normal wear.

Things tend to tear and get hammered when they come together, ey!

Lot's of 'experts' on A/C on here.. This is the guy to really help you!!