Questions and Answers
A/C Compressor Clutch
Q. 1996 Mercury 3.0 liter. With the A/C off, the A/C clutch pulley started making noise. I noticed the A/C pulley dragging, slow turning with engine speed and peeling the serpentine belt. The next day the noise got louder on start up with A/C off. I shut off the engine.
We believe the clutch pulley assembly replacement should solve this problem. No repair work has been done to A/C system. Once in 2001, put in 12 oz. of 134a freon. Need your expert opinion.
Bill
A. The first thing I would do is measure the A/C clutch air gap and make sure it is within specs. To do this:
- Measure the air gap between the A/C clutch and the A/C clutch pulley mating surfaces at three equally spaced locations with a feeler gauge. Record the measurements.
- If the smallest air gap measurement is not within 0.014-0.033 inch, remove the A/C clutch.
- Remove and measure the A/C clutch shim. Select the appropriate thickness shim from the A/C compressor clutch hub spacer to place the air gap within specified limits.
- Install the A/C clutch shim and the A/C clutch. Check air gap measurement.
If this doesn't fix it or the clutch is within specifications, then you will need to replace the clutch.
Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA
