Is there any way possible to lock a compressor clutch into the engaged position?
Hers the deal, someone showed me that my compressor had a little oil on it. They said if would probably have to be replaced within a year or two. How bout 2 days!
I noticed it wasn't cooling very well and I checked and seen the clutch try to engage and it slipped and smoked a little. If I run the A/C it trys to turn. I guess the bearings in the compressor are going out that’s why the clutch can't turn in. (does that sound right?)
I'm trying to see if I can't lock the clutch to the compressor. I realize that what would happen next would be the belt burning off it. I carry a spare and I want to be able to release the clutch, freeing up the compressor.
What I'm asking is, is there any way to stick a screw or something into the clutch as a temporary fix. I am going to replace the compressor or sell it as is but telling the buyer of the situation. I'm not a person out to rip someone off.
Oh yea it's on my 94 Chevy S10 with a 410 system I think the compressor is a LTR4 unit.
Just playing with it figuring it's no good as is, so why not try?
Any ideas?
Donny

http://i49.tinypic.com/34dpm61.jpghey leave my truck alone see other post ill throw in the topper too

get a battery and a pair of jumper cables and energize the clutch..and spin it by hand..:dontknow:

Hey Donny, If your a/c compressor is going bad and clutch bearings are bad, you don't want the compressor to ingage at all. If it does and the clutch kicks in and locks up it will burn and smoke up the belt up or even might start a fire from belt burning. Until you can replace the compressor, unhook the wire on the back of the compressor to keep it from getting any fire from being turned on and engaging. But, if you want the cluth to lock in and stay in, look back on passenger side toward firewall where the alum tank is and there is a two wire plug that connect's to that tank, unplug it and take a piece of wire and skin back the ends on each end of the wire and put each end in the connector you unplug and cross it over to engage the compressor to stay on. A buddy of mine that does all my cars and trucks putting freon in them does this to keep compressor ingaged till the freon is taking good into the lines. If i where you, i would unhook the wire on back of compressor to keep it from engaging and locking up and burning the belt or or have a fire when it smokes your belt. Hope this help's you out. Later,Larry

theirs a electrical connector that u pull off and keeps it from engaging I have done it on my astro van was showed to me by a mechanic on mine it plugs into that long round cylinder forgot what its called at the moment .My clutch started locking up and smoking with that disconnected been driving it since last summer.

Update someone figure this one out.
First I put screews in behind the clutch plate, no luck, squeeled and started smoking the clutch. Next I tack welded the clutch plate to the pulley. Worked great at first then loud noise. I shut the motor off and found the radaitor fan hitting the bottom of shroud???? That one I can't figure out at all???? No noise or problem before I welded the clutch. Any ideas?
Remover the bottom half of the shroud, fan turns fine, truck runs fine, A/C blows cold:nanawrench:
I know the next thing that will happen is the compressor will lock up causing the belt to burn off. I plan on getting a belt the will fit without going over the compressor. I think they make one. All this untill I replace the compressor.
But what I can't figure out is what caused the fan to start hitting the fan shroud??????
It runs, it drives, and I have A/C for another day (maybe)
Donny

Update someone figure this one out.
First I put screews in behind the clutch plate, no luck, squeeled and started smoking the clutch. Next I tack welded the clutch plate to the pulley. Worked great at first then loud noise. I shut the motor off and found the radaitor fan hitting the bottom of shroud???? That one I can't figure out at all???? No noise or problem before I welded the clutch. Any ideas?
Remover the bottom half of the shroud, fan turns fine, truck runs fine, A/C blows cold:nanawrench:
I know the next thing that will happen is the compressor will lock up causing the belt to burn off. I plan on getting a belt the will fit without going over the compressor. I think they make one. All this untill I replace the compressor.
But what I can't figure out is what caused the fan to start hitting the fan shroud??????
It runs, it drives, and I have A/C for another day (maybe)
Donny
Got me on this one Donny.:dontknow: Don't know what would cause the fan to drop down and rub against the lower fan shroud. If you find out why, let me know. :poke:

Time for a new compressor now, I would guess.

Welding was a bad idea-----AC compressors need to be able to cycle on and off.
Extreme head pressures will destroy an R-4 real quick.
And with the clutch welded, no way for the compressor to cycle off when the head pressure gets too high, of freon levels drop too low.

BE in your best interest to get a new compressor and install it (or have it installed).
Do not get a rebuilt compressor---R-4s dont take well to a rebuild.

If r-134 refrigerant, you can probably handle this on your own, and just have the AC vacuumed & recharged.

All you need is some compressor oil, compressor adapter seals, and a couple of wrenches-----might not hurt to get a new hi pressure switch as well. The pressure switch does not come with the compressor and I am pretty sure your truck has it.

I recently bought an R-4 for $180 to put on my 59 (still have not charged it yet).
I have the same serpentine belt system on my 454 that is on your v6---yep, the SAME system, not the big block version. Also have one on my 66 with the 307

I drove the truck today and took back the tune up stuff I bought and got a Compressor bypass pulley. I'm putting a used belt back on and if/when the compressor locks up I'll have the pulley, tools and belt in the truck. All I'd need is a little shade!!! Of course you know it will break right in the middle of main street.
As soon as the title hits my hand it goes on Craigslist. I already have the ad wrote up and yes I do say (compressor needs replaced but working now) I'll show them what I did and let them decide if they want to replace it or bypass it. My only goal now is to make money on it without ripping anyone off. Sence I only have $750.00 in it I beleive I can more than double my money out of it. Or trade for an El Camino which I was looking for in the first place A 1994 S10 with only 90,634 miles and 1 owner. I'd say I shouldn't have a problem, we'll see.
But right now I have COLD A/C:nanawrench:
Donny