ac compressor shim

slvrgrnglt · Post by **slvrgrnglt** » 18 Jan 2012, 23:30

i want to do the breadclip ac compressor shim but my mechanic says the tight space will cause constant engagement of the compressor and therefore burn it out........feedback greatly appreciated

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 19 Jan 2012, 14:36

If you want to do it perfectly you can remove the clutch and remove shims as necessary to get the gap back into specification. That said, dozens or even hundreds of our posters have used the less precise bread clip method with no ill results. It largely depends on what your clutch gap is now. If it has grown to a point where the clutch is kicking out then the breadclip method should work just fine without forcing the clutch to be engaged full time.

...Lee

bigkev414 · Post by **bigkev414** » 20 Jan 2012, 02:15

slvrgrnglt wrote:i want to do the breadclip ac compressor shim but my mechanic says the tight space will cause constant engagement of the compressor and therefore burn it out........feedback greatly appreciated

I have posted about my problem before and it is that after about an hour or so on a hot day the A/C compressor cuts out. If I stop and turn the engine off, even for a minute or so it comes back on OK again. What is yours doing? why do you want to do the breadclip trick? Might help me if you symptoms are similar because I just want to make sure what the problem is if I can.
regards

Post by **fazool** » 20 Jan 2012, 06:08

Your mechanic may not fully understand the DIY fix.

Technically speaking, he is correct and its better to fix the internal spacing shims.

The system uses an electromagnet. When turned on, the magnet "pulls" the clutch in so it grabs and starts turning the compressor.

If the clutch parts that engage get worn (from normal wear and tear) then the distance between these parts increases and the magnet doesn't have enough attraction to pull it in far enough to engage.

The DIY fix simply pushes this clutch in closer to make up for this distance. It can't permanently engage without the electromagnet being turned on. The worst thing you could do is shim it too far, which would cause it to rub and wear down more.

There is always an outside chance you could damage things. For example, if you overshim and JAM the clutch in, it could cause the compressor to surn continually and if it freezes up if mat want to disengage but can't then it doesn't get lubrication and binds up, etc etc. But this kind of scenario is rather far fetched. The bread clip isn't a best solution (or else it would have been original equipment) but it is a low risk band-aid fix.

If you want to address your mechanic's concern, simply measure the clutch gap after shimming. Your goal is to shim it back to specificaion. If you get the gap back where it needs to be (I forget the number but I think it was like .004-.007") then you are fine.

Post by **JRL** » 20 Jan 2012, 10:26

I think you would be fine (at least for a good while) if you do the bread clip deal
Use 3 bread clips (1 every 120 degrees)
(Either buy 3 loaves of bread of bring 3 twisties to the store and swap when no one's looking), or...
I have plenty of them, I would be happy to mail some to you if you PM me your address.

Two are pretty easy to do, the 3rd, the one that would be in the bottom is a bit trickier, but doable with a very long screwdriver and a steady hand
I've done this to about 3 cars and a year or two later.... no complaints and the A/C is working nominally

Post by **erikv11** » 20 Jan 2012, 22:55

Zip ties work great and are more secure than bread clips.

Post by **JRL** » 21 Jan 2012, 07:54

Not sure about that

Post by **rspi** » 21 Jan 2012, 10:35

I used the zip ties as well. It was hard to do. Next time, if there is a next time, I will just take the compressor loose and take it apart to do the job right.