Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

Provided by www.ACkits.com

We've updated our forums!
Click here to visit the new forum

Archive Home

Search Auto AC Forum Archives

98 Escort A/C clutch busted

Boomer_106 on Mon May 31, 2010 7:14 PM User is offline

Year: 98
Make: Ford
Model: Escort
Engine Size: 2.0
Refrigerant Type: R134a

I have a question that I'm afraid I already know the answer to. I have a 98 Escort (not ZX2) As you can see in the pictures (I hope) the clutch plate is gone. The compressor does turn freely when I take the belt pressure off of it. I am hoping like heck it's not seized up. I'm wondering if it's possible to clean the clutch disc up and just replace the plate? It would be awesome if I didn't have to open the system. Thanks for any advice.



GM Tech on Mon May 31, 2010 7:28 PM User is offline

When you take belt pressure off???? That would be the pulley-- the big question is doe the comressor shaft turn- b ut that will be hard to do without a clutch driver-which you obviously are missing. The good news is, that twice in my life, I have done what you want to-- went to a boneyard- talked them into giving me a junk pump- scrap value only- I take the clutch driver off it and put it on the compressor on the car-- and it worked both times.

The clutches can resonate loose and the bolt back out and the clutch rolls down the road somewhere- I assume your clutch bolt is missing as well- you'll need one of those if you want to try it. Again, the b oneyard pump will have it, and some shims behind it- you'll need to keep handy to set the air gap. This will be a good learning experience if nothing else-- and all you will have invested is your time..

-------------------------
The number one A/C diagnostic tool there is- is to know how much refrigerant is in the system- this can only be done by recovering and weighing the refrigerant!!
Just a thought.... 65% of A/C failures in my 3200 car diagnostic database (GM vehicles) are due to loss of refrigerant due to a leak......

Boomer_106 on Mon May 31, 2010 8:02 PM User is offline

Quote
Originally posted by: GM Tech
When you take belt pressure off???? That would be the pulley-- the big question is doe the comressor shaft turn- b ut that will be hard to do without a clutch driver-which you obviously are missing. The good news is, that twice in my life, I have done what you want to-- went to a boneyard- talked them into giving me a junk pump- scrap value only- I take the clutch driver off it and put it on the compressor on the car-- and it worked both times.



The clutches can resonate loose and the bolt back out and the clutch rolls down the road somewhere- I assume your clutch bolt is missing as well- you'll need one of those if you want to try it. Again, the b oneyard pump will have it, and some shims behind it- you'll need to keep handy to set the air gap. This will be a good learning experience if nothing else-- and all you will have invested is your time..

Thanks GM tech. You're right. I feel like a dummy now. I was just spinning the pulley. Of course it spins freely I do not have the bolt. I was thinking about trying a junkyard (boneyard) I believe I will try that. I don't guess you can buy just that part?

Chick on Wed June 02, 2010 6:45 AM User is offlineView users profile

e-bay links are not allowed on this forum.....
as GM Tech explained, try to get a scrap pump at a bone yard.. I also had a few come in with the clutch driver either missing, or in the case of Ford Windstars, laying against the frame rail, (there is no room for them to fall out.. perhaps they will give you just the driver and bolt, since they get a few bucks for cores, worth a shot, and if not, this sites sponsor sells quality compressors at resonable prices, might even have a special still going on for the FS 10, you can e-mail them at Ackits.com Hope this helps..

-------------------------
Chick
Email: Chick

---------------------------------------------

Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

Boomer_106 on Thu June 03, 2010 11:54 PM User is offline

Thanks chick. As soon as I get a chance, I'll try that.

Boomer_106 on Mon June 14, 2010 12:59 AM User is offline

Ok, the other day I got the clutch driver from a boneyard. Today I cleaned that surface rust off, and put the clutch driver on and, it's working great. Had an A/C vent temp down to 40*

I do have one question though. On my other vehicles (all Chevys) the clutch will cycle on and off. The clutch didn't cycle off at all on this escort. Is that just the way Fords are or what?

NickD on Mon June 14, 2010 4:43 AM User is offline

ZX2 sure cycles, like crazy, especially when it gets cool outside, difficult to find a position on that mode switch that doesn't switch on the compressor, probably what wore out your clutch.

Chick on Mon June 14, 2010 7:34 AM User is offlineView users profile

Is the driver shimmed properly? you can remove the plug to the cycling switch and see if the compressor stops running, if it does, then pressures would be needed along with the ambient temp to see if this is normal, (could the system have air in it etc) as Nick said, cycling is normal, but on a hot and humid day, don't look for much cycling until you're going down a highwway with plenty of air blowing thru the condenser....

-------------------------
Chick
Email: Chick

---------------------------------------------

Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

NickD on Mon June 14, 2010 10:22 AM User is offline

Yeah with an R-134a MVAC CCOT system on a hot humid day, your properly charged AC system has to have the low side drop below about 22-23 psi before it will cycle. Won't happen if its more like 65 psi.

Having a MVAC CCOT system cycle on a hot humid day is a good sign that you have ample AC capacity.

Should be around a 30-45 second period between cycles, takes that long for the system to equalized. If cycling rates increase, a sign of low refrigerant charge or an internal leak, like weak reed valves.

Boomer_106 on Mon June 14, 2010 3:33 PM User is offline

Quote
Originally posted by: Chick
Is the driver shimmed properly? you can remove the plug to the cycling switch and see if the compressor stops running, if it does, then pressures would be needed along with the ambient temp to see if this is normal, (could the system have air in it etc) as Nick said, cycling is normal, but on a hot and humid day, don't look for much cycling until you're going down a highwway with plenty of air blowing thru the condenser....

It stopped when I turned the AC off. I may not have let it run long enough or something. I'm in Illinois. It was probably 80s and humid yesterday.

I took two different ones off at the boneyard and neither had a shim. It was cooling fine so I didn't worry about it.

mk378 on Mon June 14, 2010 4:22 PM User is offline

The shims are to set up the gap so the clutch doesn't drag when not engaged. If it doesn't do that, you're fine.

Boomer_106 on Mon June 14, 2010 4:30 PM User is offline

Cool it wasn't dragging when I shut the A/C off

Back to Automotive Air Conditioning Forum

We've updated our forums!
Click here to visit the new forum

Archive Home

Copyright © 2016 Arizona Mobile Air Inc.