ac clutch

[gpgt98]

Ok so last night I was heading out to pick up the girl from work. Just before I get there, there was excessive noise from under the hood. Pulled over and looked and seen the belt was shredding all over. I could see her workplace so i limped it in there and just as I was pulling in, the belt was done for. So I got it parked and got a ride home. Today, went to autozone got a new belt and headed out there. It was a complete mess under the hood well I got all of the shredded belt removed and new belt on. Started up and this horrific squealing was happening. Just what I needed.. well i looked real quick at the belt and realized the ac clutch was now spinning. It had never worked in the whole year I've had the car.. should I replace just the clutch or the whole compressor? I've never had ac in this car due to it not working prior to this.

[FordMan77]

For the work involved in replacing just the clutch, I'd just do the whole compressor. Who knows what part actually broke. You could replace the clutch just to find out the compressor is shot too. Also may want to replace the accumulator/drier and orifice tube as well, get some new PAG oil, yada yada.

If the compressor took itself out you could have metal shavings inside the system that will ruin the new one. May want to get this flushed out as well. Then have a shop vac it down and refill and enjoy the A/C!

[Scottydoggs]

most of the time its just better to replace the whole compressor and the dryer, if you put a new compressor with out a new dryer the compressor will not have a long life.

was it blowing cold? if so see if you can get a shop to vac out the system and then you go do your repairs, bring it back and they can use the same refrigerant they took out to charge the a/c. so you only pay for the vac service.

[gpgt98]

I didn't notice any change in the air temp out of the vents.. ill be taking it to my soon to be father in laws shop tomorrow and have him test everything. I will be getting all the other items needed as well if I have to get a new compressor.. the squealing comes and goes. It will stay on untl I get up to about 15mph and won't come back on until I'm either at idle or sometimes not at all..