moving violation

The pulley is frozen....will remove belt(it was tensioned correct). Wondering if this means clutch is gone or the compressor is shot?

Tom Serrago

Clutch plate is probably ok. The pulley bearing could have seized up, or the compressor seized up.

Will Ng

Grab it with gloved hands or a strap wrench. Try to turn it clockwise. If it spins, the compressor is ok, and the pulley bearing has seized. BTDT. You can replace the bearing. It takes a bit of work pressing it out/in, but it can be done in an afternoon if you're handy.

Japanese bearing: Nachi P/N: 40BG05S1G-2DS-J

rooster 2

I just assumed the problem was a siezed compressor, so I was going to swap it out when the weather warms up a little. Hey, maybe I will get lucky and find out that the pully bearing has siezed, and not the compressor. Thanks guys for the info..............Rooster

Tom Serrago

Larry, was the ac belt on or off when you bought the car?

rooster 2

Tom, I installed a new belt, turned on the A/C, then could see smoke coming from the A/C clutch unit within 20-30 seconds, so maybe the compressor is locked up. I assume the smoke was from overheated clutch plate. I never ran the A/C long enough to learn if the compressor worked or if the clutch bearing was froze up..........Larry

moving violation

Thanks everyone! I intend to replace clutch. I hope that does it!

Tom Serrago

I'm sure we had this conversation but man am I forgetting things!
Have you since then removed the belt?
Just wondering if at least the pulley is free wheeling, which at least would indicate the pulley bearing is good, and clutch plate is not frozen to the pulley.
In front of the pulley is the clutch plate, which is keyed to the compressor shaft. If the compressor is not seized up, you should be able to easily turn that plate clockwise with your fingers.