Seized AC Compressor
Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2018 7:45 am
Hello folks,
Recently I've been having issues with my '93 L300 when starting it up. Every now and then it would make a terrible screatching sound as though something was seizing up in the engine compartment. My mechanically declined fix for this was to immediately shut off the engine, wait a few seconds and then try it again.
Well that worked for a while, up until yesterday. When I went to fire up my van after work it was making that terrible noise and it just wouldn't go away. I was just about to call CAA and get it towed to my VW mechanic who's been kind enough to wrench on it, when I decided to pop the seat back and have a quick look at the motor when I start it up. Turns out the AC Compressor was not moving. After looking at it for a few minutes (with the engine off) I decided I could cut the belt to the compressor and most likely go on my merry way.
So I cut it off and voila, I was able to get moving again!! I should mention that this is the first time in the 6 plus years I've owned my van that I've been unable to drive it from a breakdown. It's been a great vehicle, and this has been an excellent community for sharing of great info.
Long story short, I'm hoping i didn't screw anything up by cutting off that belt. And i guess at some point, like as in 9 months from now when spring returns to Southern Ontario, I'll need to deal with this compressor.
So my question is, do I purchase a new compressor? And if so, does anyone know where a good place to find one might be? Or is it possible to have the original one rebuilt? Also the belt I cut off. Does anyone have a part number for this? It was pretty worn when i removed it.
Always appreciating any and all help.
Cheers,
Phil
Recently I've been having issues with my '93 L300 when starting it up. Every now and then it would make a terrible screatching sound as though something was seizing up in the engine compartment. My mechanically declined fix for this was to immediately shut off the engine, wait a few seconds and then try it again.
Well that worked for a while, up until yesterday. When I went to fire up my van after work it was making that terrible noise and it just wouldn't go away. I was just about to call CAA and get it towed to my VW mechanic who's been kind enough to wrench on it, when I decided to pop the seat back and have a quick look at the motor when I start it up. Turns out the AC Compressor was not moving. After looking at it for a few minutes (with the engine off) I decided I could cut the belt to the compressor and most likely go on my merry way.
So I cut it off and voila, I was able to get moving again!! I should mention that this is the first time in the 6 plus years I've owned my van that I've been unable to drive it from a breakdown. It's been a great vehicle, and this has been an excellent community for sharing of great info.
Long story short, I'm hoping i didn't screw anything up by cutting off that belt. And i guess at some point, like as in 9 months from now when spring returns to Southern Ontario, I'll need to deal with this compressor.
So my question is, do I purchase a new compressor? And if so, does anyone know where a good place to find one might be? Or is it possible to have the original one rebuilt? Also the belt I cut off. Does anyone have a part number for this? It was pretty worn when i removed it.
Always appreciating any and all help.
Cheers,
Phil