Hi. Has anyone had an aircon compressor lock up solid.? If so what were the consequences? Did the clutch just slip, disengage, Or did the serpentine belt break?
Anyone had this problem please.

 

Cant say I've come across one that has locked up..... yet

If the pulley locked up, I'd imagine the belt would be slipping, making horrible squealing noise and would eventually break.

They are scroll type like the S-Type, and were notorious for leaking.

 

DUNKS, while this was not on an X-Type, it was a locked up air con compressor. The symptom was that a truck motor would not turn over. You could hear the starter engage and make a click, but that was it. I would venture to guess that if the compressor locked up while driving, the belt would slip. The question becomes where it slips (at the compressor or at the drive pulley).

 

Thanks I suppose there in no answer really. What worried me was my aircon refused to work, "No cold" but indicator light on. Then I suddenly got severe engine braking at all low speeds, Engine did not stall when out of gear. Aircon still not working. This went on for a couple of miles in traffic, Took aircon off and engine braking cleared. Tried aircon again and everything OK. Still is after a week . BUT what could have happened and have I damaged the belt. I will get it checked of course.

 

DUNKS, from the sounds of things, you essentially hydro-locked the A/C compressor some how. By letting it set. The freon turned back to a gas the lock cleared itself. As for what possible damage that may have happened, hard to say. Freon is a little squishy. So, may be all good.

As for the belt, give it a good check. If in doubt, replace the belt. May want to shine a light on to the belt as the car is running. If you see a "shadow" on the belt, that would be a sign that the belt got flat-spotted at some point and is in need of replacement.

 

Thanks. Vehicle is going in for new bottom ball joints I will have a new belt then.

 

Yeah Dunks, if indeed the compressor "locked up" enough to reduce the forward thrust of the car, my thinking would be the belt would have to have some sort of damage. Either as Thermo said a worn "flat spot" which is doubtful because that would be caused by a turning metal part against a stationary belt (it is a serpentine belt running/driving multiple things) or excess wear on the entire interior (towards pulleys) of the belt or maybe even stretching of the belt from excessive heat generated by rubbing. I'm surprised if this was indeed the occurrence there wasn't some kind of squeal or burn belt smell when it happened.




I had a compressor seize on my mother's Pontiac Bonneville and it destroyed the belt which was not serpentine but a separate one. Still made a hell of a sound and smoke. Thank goodness I was driving it when it happened not my Mom, lol.

 

I have an original York compressor, the support bracket, the condenser that mounts behind the grille, and the under dash control unit / fan / evaporator, and refrigerant hoses, that was removed from a 1964 MK-2.

Was going to use it in my S type but have never gotten around to it due to the engine gone kaput.
The York has the double pulley.