A/C Clutch Replacement

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Brian Minto - 25 Aug 2007 23:28 GMT

The air conditioning clutch on my 1994 miata has begun screeching for a
minute or so after I start the car. The clutch is the piece hidden inside
and just behind the pulley assembly on the front of the A/C compressor which
is mounted below the power steering pump on the left side of the engine. Has
anybody replaced one of these? I can buy the clutch for about $250 or a
complete compressor for about $350. My A/C works fine otherwise. That would
make the main difference the $100 plus the discharge of old compressor and
recharge of the new one. This discharge/recharge operation is likely $150.

Brian Minto, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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W. Kiernan - 26 Aug 2007 20:22 GMT

> The air conditioning clutch on my 1994 miata has begun screeching
> for a minute or so after I start the car. The clutch is the piece
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Brian Minto, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

I had the same problem with my '93. I made the squealing at takeoff go
away by tightening the belt tensioner bolt under the alternator, which
is certainly a lot cheaper than getting your compressor replaced. I
hope that's all you need to do; think of all the beer you could buy with
$250!

(At least I think it was under the alternator. I just went outside and
looked under the hood of my '99 but they seem to have changed the layout
of the belt somewhat. If I remember correctly, when you stood in front
of the car and open the hood, it was on the left of the engine. When
you turned the bolt, it pushed the alternator away from the engine,
increasing the tension on the belt.)

Yours WDK - WKiernan@ij.net

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Frank Berger - 26 Aug 2007 20:35 GMT

>> The air conditioning clutch on my 1994 miata has begun screeching
>> for a minute or so after I start the car. The clutch is the piece
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
> Yours WDK - WKiernan@ij.net

I was wondering if the OP had considered with the noise was a loose belt. It
fits the symptom perfectly. The belt slips until it gets up to speed and
stops slipping.

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Brian Minto - 27 Aug 2007 04:05 GMT

I had thought of that. From time to time, I have had the belt so scary tight
that I was feared for the bearings in the power steering pump ($600 new) and
the A/C compressor ($350 rebuilt). Those 2 accessories operate on the same
belt. The alternator has its own belt. The alternator belt is the rear belt
and is not very easy to replace. The A/C and power steering belt is the
front belt and its replacement is a 2 or 3 minute job. I have also replaced
this belt once because I thought that it may have glazed and simply lost
traction on the pulleys. I also switched from Goodyear gatorback belt to
genuine miata belt without positive outcome, but the price sure was
different.

-----

>>> The air conditioning clutch on my 1994 miata has begun screeching
>>> for a minute or so after I start the car. The clutch is the piece
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
> It fits the symptom perfectly. The belt slips until it gets up to speed
> and stops slipping.

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