Seized AC Pulley- New Clutch or New Compressor

[sienayr]

I think I already know the answer to my query after doing a bit of research, but want to check it against experience anyway if I may.

The pulley/clutch seized and fried the belt, but the compressor as a whole has very low mileage on it at 30K. The AC seemed to be blowing cool air when I turned it on during a test drive, prior to the seizure. The seizure occurred after driving 170 miles (AC off whole time). I know that you can get a new clutch, but that the seizing may have damaged other parts of the compressor or even bent the shaft.

Is the generally accepted best practice to just replace the whole compressor? Or with the low mileage might it make sense to remove the clutch and inspect the compressor for damage, and just replace the clutch?

There has not been an R134A conversion done, which might influence trying out a new clutch since converting would escalate costs quite quickly. Two cans of R12 came with the car.

Thanks for any info.

[DesktopDave]

I'm hoping that the compressor can be salvaged, but it's been my unpleasant experience that a seized pulley is usually due to a locked-up compressor. I'm wondering if you could sell the R12 in your system to the shop, have them swap the compressor, then refill without too much trouble.

You may find that some shops won't use refrigerant sourced from a customer due to contamination risks. R12 is still pretty widely available, just expensive. There's a lot of threads about R134 conversions, many seem fairly successful. There's also the alternative HC refrigerants.

[master6]

I think I already know the answer to my query after doing a bit of research, but want to check it against experience anyway if I may.

The pulley/clutch seized and fried the belt, but the compressor as a whole has very low mileage on it at 30K. The AC seemed to be blowing cool air when I turned it on during a test drive, prior to the seizure. The seizure occurred after driving 170 miles (AC off whole time). I know that you can get a new clutch, but that the seizing may have damaged other parts of the compressor or even bent the shaft.

Is the generally accepted best practice to just replace the whole compressor? Or with the low mileage might it make sense to remove the clutch and inspect the compressor for damage, and just replace the clutch?

There has not been an R134A conversion done, which might influence trying out a new clutch since converting would escalate costs quite quickly. Two cans of R12 came with the car.

Thanks for any info.

Sienayr,

If your A/C Compressor is a Behr/Bosch Wingcell, I can rebuild it for you.
What Desktop Dave said is true is not the clutch its most likely the Compressor is seized.

Take a look at my website link, see my footer, then go to # 12 A/C rebuild

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...rrent-websites

Best,