New AC Compressor = Smooth Idle

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Massfloefi

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Recently my AC compressor took a dive. Clutch drive plate separated from itself and then jammed the clutch pulley and that was the end of that. While inspecting the damaged clutch I removed the belt and tried to spin the belt pulley. Choppy and stiff. I went ahead and had the whole AC compressor replaced. Picked the truck up and was rewarded with a smoother idle then I have in my newer VW. I'm thinking the faulty belt pulley on the compressor was causing a slight drag on the system? I use to have a very slight stumble while idling but it didn't cause drive issues and would not show up in the rpm gauge. After reading multiple threads it seemed this was normal with these engines. Just wanted to pass info along and say to check your belt pulley the next time you change you ac belt.

Truck has all new spark plugs, wires, clean throttle body, clean MAF, manually cleaned fuel injectors and BB tune and it still didn't idle like it does now.

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Massfloefi

Massfloefi

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Good to know! I always thought my 2006 has a slightly odd idle! I’m thinking it’s time to do all the belts and pulleys on the front end anyways so maybe that’ll help!

Best of luck to you. When I replaced my tensioner/idler pulleys 5K ago I used gates pulleys and their HD belts.
 

Scottydoggs

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being it exploded on ya, yeah it was a drag on the engine.

ive seen them lock up and either break the belt, or bust the bracket and drop the compressor on w bodys.

seen em smoking too. thats a funny one, most of the time its locked, the belt is doing a burn out lol
 

retiredsparky

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A compressor that has dragging bearings or other internal problems can cause a drag on the engine and affect the idle. Similar to a failing starter can ruin an otherwise good battery the compressor can lock up and destroy belt and pulley.
 

OneofFew

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I think you got the right idea. The compressor is too hidden for problems to stand out when doing a normal under hood check. Most likely the bearing going out on the compressor is what led to the failure of the clutch.
Never just replace a clutch- they do not tend to fail without underlying issues. I think you did well.
 

bkdukes14

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Mine went out burning the belt can i drive a few days without the belt on untill im off to replace it?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 

Doubeleive

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iv'e had mine go out a couple times before, basically sounded like someone dropping a fork in a running food disposal, you know that sound that makes you cringe!
 
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Massfloefi

Massfloefi

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Mine went out burning the belt can i drive a few days without the belt on untill im off to replace it?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Yes you can run without the ac belt.
 

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