Suspected Dead A/C Clutch

[SHOZ]

You can change the clutch as easily as taking the shim out.

 

[Chris142]

Clutch failure is pretty common these days. Imo its not worth putting only a clutch on

 

[oil pan 4]

I'd just verify it's being triggered electrically while running, then get creative to knock it in with a broomstick or rubber mallet, etc.

If it engages with a little help and starts blowing cold, your gap is almost surely the problem. I recently did this on a 2nd Gen Ram.

But yeah, it's not exactly safe so be careful and don't do anything you're not comfortable with.

If it does blow up then you'll know there was way too much refrigerant in there.
I have been working on air conditioners for a while now and only seen one so far that was wildly over charged.

 

[Ifixyawata]

So I ended up replacing the clutch, mostly. I can say I will never do that again. Turns out that the clutch only came with two shims, not enough to keep it from being engaged full time. Where can I source more? Google is coming to empty for me.

 

[KrisZ]

So I ended up replacing the clutch, mostly. I can say I will never do that again. Turns out that the clutch only came with two shims, not enough to keep it from being engaged full time. Where can I source more? Google is coming to empty for me.

How do you know it’s not enough?
Find out what the gap should be first and then you will know if you need to add or remove shims.

 

[Ifixyawata]

How do you know it’s not enough?
Find out what the gap should be first and then you will know if you need to add or remove shims.

The pulley doesn't spin freely.

 

[KrisZ]

The pulley doesn't spin freely.

That doesn’t make sense. If the clutch is not engaging fully now, putting more shims on will make the gap even bigger, so it will still not engage.

To me it sound like there is rust on the clutch surface that needs to be cleaned up.

 

[Jango]

The pulley doesn't spin freely.

I read that too where they say to make sure it spins freely to ensure it's not engaged and running the compressor all the time.

 

[Ifixyawata]

That doesn’t make sense. If the clutch is not engaging fully now, putting more shims on will make the gap even bigger, so it will still not engage.

To me it sound like there is rust on the clutch surface that needs to be cleaned up.

It's a new clutch, it's engaging just by assembling the outer pressure plate piece, the one that normally spins freely.

 

[KrisZ]

It's a new clutch, it's engaging just by assembling the outer pressure plate piece, the one that normally spins freely.

Ok I understand now. What about the shims from your old clutch, do you still have them?

 

[Ifixyawata]

Ok I understand now. What about the shims from your old clutch, do you still have them?

I looked and didn't find any. It may be that they were removed previously and that's part of why the old one finally gave up. I did notice a burnt smell and something that looked melted on the coil part of the old clutch after I took it apart.

 

[Chris142]

Measure the I.D.vand O.D. of the shims you need and send me a PM.

 

[KrisZ]

I looked and didn't find any. It may be that they were removed previously and that's part of why the old one finally gave up. I did notice a burnt smell and something that looked melted on the coil part of the old clutch after I took it apart.

Measure the shims you have, or better yet, take them with you. I’m seeing that Auto Zone and O’reillys have shims kits. They may be the correct diameter for you.

 

[D60]

Yeah I've begun disassembling and hoarding all shims from old compressors for this reason

Also, swing by a large indy repair and ask if you can pillage their scrap bin. Or they might have a kit and sell you a couple. Obviously take one for reference

 

[Chris142]

Yeah I've begun disassembling and hoarding all shims from old compressors for this reason

Also, swing by a large indy repair and ask if you can pillage their scrap bin. Or they might have a kit and sell you a couple. Obviously take one for reference

same. But there are a few different diameters

 

[Ifixyawata]

None of my local parts store had any shims so I went to home Depot and found a couple different kinds of washers. Lost my New feeler gauges so I can't measure the air gap but there's no combination of washers and shims that don't result in either dragging when disengaged or slipping while it's engaged.

Is there a possibility I overfilled it with oil on the last charge since I added the r134 with oil?

 

[D60]

Your average sheet of paper is .003"

https://www.hondapartsnow.com/genuine/honda~shim~set~38912-pe1-702.html