98 V70 A/C is eating the accessory belt

Post by **Thunderbox** » 30 Aug 2015, 16:06

Out driving today for a hour long trip today, high 80's here in Ohio. Stopped for lunch then back into the car. Noticed a burning odor and sluggish performance. Shut off the AC and stopped on shoulder to check under the hood. Nothing evident so continued home with AC off.
Upon getting home checked the AC pulley and noticed burnt rubber in the inner side. The pulley spins with slight effort when the car is off. Upon engaging AC the motor shudders and the clutch engages and disengages rapidly. Prior to the issue the AC worked great. I recall seeing icing on the inlet pipe to the firewall a couple of weeks ago but thought it was due to the weather at the time.
The only piece of the puzzle may be that I recently have been running the AC not in Auto mode (ECC car). I was not getting the air volume I wanted in Auto so started leaving the fan in almost max speed setting and the selector in dash vents only.
The gap is not able to be measured it is so tight. Any way to free it off? Any other suggestions?

Post by **kahl** » 30 Aug 2015, 16:30

I think your A/C compressor bearings have or are failing. If you are close to Coumbus I have a belt that could be installed on your car by passing the compressor pulley.

Post by **Thunderbox** » 30 Aug 2015, 17:31

Thanks for the offer on the belt. It is not a problem as long as I don't use the A/C. Any idea if an AC clutch switch would help? Might have to head to the yard. Is the clutch switch just unscrew and replace with out having to crack the system?

Post by **kahl** » 30 Aug 2015, 17:48

From what you describe you have a problem when the clutch is engaged. I think your issue is in the compressor probably the bearings, clutch is functioning correctly.

Post by **misha** » 30 Aug 2015, 18:00

Frequently cycling of compressor on & off means that you are low on refrigerant.If it's low on refrigerant it might be low on oil too.
So....you have a bad bearing or compressor is starving for oil which makes it to burn the belt.
If everything is ok when ac is off,then compressor is bad OR starving for oil.If it's starved for oil....it's allready damaged.

Post by **rspi** » 30 Aug 2015, 18:20

I would just replace the compressor with one from the junk yard. They seldom fail and it sounds like this one has. Usually they cost about $35 with core.

Post by **cn90** » 30 Aug 2015, 22:57

To diagnose seized compressor, it is rather simple:

- With engine off and key out of ignition

- Remove serp belt and spin the AC pulley by hand. The bearing is probably dry by now (you probably have > 200K miles). So you probably see free-wheeling of the pulley, but that is usually not the problem.

- Now go to fusebox and jumper the AC Clutch connection to engage the Clutch. Now spin the AC Pulley. Under normal situation, there is slight-moderate resistance but you should be able to spin the main shaft by hand. If you can't the compressor is seized.

- Used Zexel on ebay is about $55. Junkyard as rpsi says but you tale a chance.

- New Zexel is about $300 or so.

In the mean time, don't use the AC b/c you can end up with "Black Death" as seen in Honda CRV etc.

Post by **abscate** » 17 Nov 2017, 08:05

kahl wrote: 30 Aug 2015, 16:30 I think your A/C compressor bearings have or are failing. If you are close to Coumbus I have a belt that could be installed on your car by passing the compressor pulley.

Kahl - found you!!!

I need some help with the bypass belt for my 1999 to put off an AC repair to spring..Ill pm you

Keywords - serpentine bypass belt

Post by **kahl** » 17 Nov 2017, 09:17

Here is the belt number.

Post by **abscate** » 17 Nov 2017, 09:42

Merci buckets - researching this Ive found there is a chassis break on the serpentine belt

-1999
2000-on

so this is still under review.