Well, my A/C just went, but I'm not sure if the compressor is fried or not. My neighbor and I got my A/C running nice and chilly last year. We replaced a few lines, added coolant etc. The pressure is still good and all was fine up until a few days ago.

I fired up my Discovery one morning and this awful burnt rubber smell came poring out from the vents. The smell stopped once I turned the A/C off. I lifted up the hood and noticed that there was a lot of rubber melted on the compressor and parts of the engine. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the rubber from the compressor's clutch was melting. The cover which encloses the clutch and belt had gobs of melted rubber stuck to the top of it. I guess this may have been going on for a while, but I never noticed.

I immediately considered replacing the compressor, but noticed that you can by a replacement clutch for this. I'd certainly prefer to spend $80 over $300 if possible. My concern is if this is actually possible? And if the clutch burning out isn't due to a larger problem with the A/C Compressor?

Any thoughts?

Here are a few pics:

 

Usually the fried clutch indicates a frozen compressor. At salvage yards near me about $35 for the whole thing. The melted rubber is the serpantine belt.

 

What Buzz said, buy a used unit, take it to a a/c shop and let them replace it, they will add the correct oil and everything.

 

There is a write up on AC bypass on a D1 https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...ne-belt-49753/,

but do we have one for a D2? Guys may need to drive truck while waiting on parts (with the old reliable 2-60 climate control, roll down two windows and go sixty).

 

Thank you for the replies. So the rubber on the clutch hub wouldn't cause this? Should I be concerned if the belt was melting? Is there anything I should look for if it's damaged?

And thank as well for the link. We may end up doing this ourselves.

My only problem now would be where to find a used A/C compressor. Any one in CT or the New England know of any salvage yards nearby?

 

yes if the compressor is frozen it will burn up the belt, you can try unplugging the compressor. the clutch is electricand it is possible that the clutch will freewheel once the power is removed and you can drive it until you replace the compressor.

contact Paul Grant he is in conn. and im sure he must have a compressor or two. Look for him under parts at the bottom of the home page.

 

Do not turn the compressor back on and plan on replacing that fried belt ASAP cause it'd days are numbered.
I agree with the above, call Paul Grant, he can help you with a good used compressor.
Make sure when you install it that you pump the system down to get rid of moisture and junk from inside the lines prior to recharging it.
If you didn't do that when you replaced the hosed, that could be what fried your compressor.

 

Ok, thanks folks. I've contacted Paul and am awaiting a call back.

The belt seems in pretty good shape. We gave it a pretty thorough look over last evening. The rubber is definitely coming from the clutch hub. If you look at the pictures above, you'll see a build up of rubber around the inner circle of the clutch.

Have any of you ever purchased a used AC compressor off of eBay before? I would do this only if I couldn't find one locally.

 

Try to turn the old compressor by hand with the engine off - the ignition key off.
How hard is it to turn?
Should be easy and smooth.

Can you find side to side wobble in the compressor pulley?

If it is just the pulley clutch and bearing that is bad, then you can
replace just those parts - without taking the compressor off of the truck and without releasing freon.