Air Con Wheel Sticking?

[skint]

Hi, my 1999 2.3 Ghia was whining from the aircon auxilliary belt fly(?) wheel. I had the belt replaced, but the whine continued. I've tried WD40 on the various wheels, which works for a while. Occaisionally the whine stops on it's own.

 

Now the air con auxilliary belt fly(?) wheel seems to jamming or seizing up - the belt naturally keeps going over the wheel, overheats and starts smoking.

 

Any ideas on what I can do - other than replace the whole air con??

 

I'm guessing it's the aircon unit - it's the bottom right (nearest the front of the car) wheel attached to the belt as I look in from the o/s wheel.

 

Could do without the

[seatkid]

A/c unit - If you remove the electrical connector to the a/c compressor the clutch should not engage. That should work unless the a/c electromagnetic clutch is seized as well. On the diesel, the a/c pump is on the main belt that also drives the alternator.

 

However you may be talking about the power steering pump. On the (Mk1) diesel it is driven by its own V belt. If thats seizing then well, you need a new one. Checking the power steering fluid level may help.....

 

You shouldnt use WD40 on belts!!!!

Edited October 29, 2011 by seatkid

[skint]

A/c unit - If you remove the electrical connector to the a/c compressor the clutch should not engage. That should work unless the a/c electromagnetic clutch is seized as well. On the diesel, the a/c pump is on the main belt that also drives the alternator.

 

However you may be talking about the power steering pump. On the (Mk1) diesel it is driven by its own V belt. If thats seizing then well, you need a new one. Checking the power steering fluid level may help.....

 

You shouldnt use WD40 on belts!!!!

 

Thanks seatkid, I'm guessing that would make the flywheel free wheel on the pull of the belt then? That's a really good idea.

It's too dark to go to it now - do you know if is the electrical connector alongside the fly wheel? Looking at the Haynes, it looks like it's on the underside?? (2.3 petrol).