Aircon and smoke

[woldstech]

Aircon not working - so I bought a can of aircon refrigerant from Halfords to recharge the system. Followed the instructions had the aircon on max, started charging. All of a sudden there was a squealing noise and smoke - from around the aircon pulley. It looked like the pulley seized and the belt was going round it was generating heat and smoke. Had engine switched off immediately. Although the Aircon was not working before recharging the system there was no smoke or squealing.

Why did it happen after the system was recharged?
Is it safe to start the engine with the aircon off or do I need to remove the aircon belt before starting?

Thanks

 

[adrianr]

id remove the belt

am no expert on aircon but i would guess that with no refrigerant the clutch was not engaging the compressor. add refrigerant and clutch engages the compressor - sounds like the bearing on the pulley or the compressor are seized.

but i might be wrong.

 

[steve allard]

id remove the belt

am no expert on aircon but i would guess that with no refrigerant the clutch was not engaging the compressor. add refrigerant and clutch engages the compressor - sounds like the bearing on the pulley or the compressor are seized.

but i might be wrong.

if tyhere was no gas in the system, and you started adding gas, the low pressure switch kicked in and allowed the clutch to engage. Perhaps the oil is low in the compressor? sounds to me like the comp locked up

 

[frank rabbets]

Either the belt is very loose and slipping causing smoke when the aircon clutch engages and the belt slips, or the belt is tight and the compressor is seized. Frank

 

[woldstech]

Either the belt is very loose and slipping causing smoke when the aircon clutch engages and the belt slips, or the belt is tight and the compressor is seized. Frank

Sorry for asking a dumb question where do I adjust the tension for the aircon belt?
Do I need a sst or any other tool to adjust it? I am thinking of removing the aircon belt temporarily - till I have a chance to take it to a aircon specialist.

Thanks

 

[joinerman]

Just unplug the multi plug connector on top of the compressor to disable it.

 

[woldstech]

Just unplug the multi plug connector on top of the compressor to disable it.

Thanks joinerman That seems to have done the trick.

 

[Jeremy L-Jones]

So you went for an auto then....hope the gearbox isn't trashed.

I'd get the aircon looked at by a so-called specialist. Also older trucks need a different refrigerant. Somewhere on here there's a thread about this. Nor worth bothering to do it yourself. They'll check for leaks, replace dodgy o rings etc etc

 

[Dave]

Your compressor's toast. It lost all the gas and the pressure switch wouldn't let it engage. You put some gas in it, the pressure switch closed and turned the compressor on, but it's seized and burning the belt.

 

[IRLGW]

isn't there a preferred side for adding the gas i.e low pressure side? it could be that you automatic clutch is jammed on

 

[Gary820]

Add refrigerant to the high pressure side, less chance of hydraulicing the compressor with The oil as it goes in after it.
Sounds like compressor seized. Guess it's an r134a system if used the halfords top up can?

 

[joinerman]

You need to talk to Dave N, he's the aircon guru.

 

[Rob]

I had the same problem, and if you are unable to turn the center part of the pulley by hand when the air con is off them the compressor is seized. If it's seized it's time for a new compressor.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[woldstech]

I had the same problem, and if you are unable to turn the center part of the pulley by hand when the air con is off them the compressor is seized. If it's seized it's time for a new compressor.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

Picked up an aircon pump from the breakers - have to find someone local to get it fitted.