Hello,

My 1995 E300D (with 220,000 miles) AC compressor seized up.
There was a squeal, then smoke, then the belt struggled/jumped off/tore up... All the accessory pulleys turn easily except for the compressor.

I was wondering if there is some way to "abandon the AC system, & do something to the compressor to make the car driveable?"

The E300D only has 1 drive belt.
I'd like to remove the compressor & just use a smaller belt if possible..if not - maybe remove the compressor & install a pulley for the belt to go around...or take a hammer to the compressor (gut it out) in some form/fashion to unseize the bearings so the car will be driveable again or ???

Since the AC system is completely stock, & has worked poorly over the past 3+ years - the entire AC system probably needs rebuilding - & even though the car looks great & drives/performs great - however with 220,000 miles I dont think it is smart to replace the compressor bearings, because the evaporator also needs to be replaced, the system needs flushing/refilling, the ac hoses also need to be replaced, & etc...

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
(I did search thru the forum, but nobody seemed to discuss what I am proposing...)
Thanks!!!

With the AC clutch not engaged (which you could make permanent just by disconnecting the clutch wiring connector, or by removing the Klima relay) you should have a free-wheeling AC pulley, so you could run the normal belt. If something also happened to the AC pulley, you could just replace the clutch then use the stock belt. If you can just bypass the pulley, skip to the next one in other words, if there is nothing that interferes with that path (what would it be, from the crank pulley to the alternator?) then yes you could experiment with belt lengths and bypass it. Usually it's not that simple, something else will be obstructing the path, just eyeball it and see what you think. Are you sure the outer part of the compressor pulley (the part with the grooves in it) is really locked? Usually it's just the inner part that locks, not the actually pulley, not when the clutch is disengaged. You might be able to take the clutch apart, get rid of some broken pieces, and put it back together and have a spinning AC pulley.

Gilly

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Hello - thanks for the info.

The inner part turns by hand, the outer part with the grooves (where the belt actually touches/goes around) is completely seized/locked.

I just tried disconnecting the wiring to the compressor - hoping that would work - but it didnt.

Based upon the path/routing of the belt, I wont be able to use a shorter belt & skip the compressor, I'll need to have a pulley there.

Hmmm - so I guess that means I'll have to take out the compressor & experiment, and/or buy a new clutch for the compressor...

Now that's jsut odd. I've never heard of a clutch siezing to anything but the compressor shaft.

You should be able to remove the clutch, leaving the compressor in the car (and the lines connected). Let us know what you find.

There is something between the pulley and the body of the pump or solenoid housing, that's the only way it can lock up.

I would take the clutch off and investigate. YOu may not be able to actually repair it, but you should be able to get the pulley bearing fixed.

You would have to remove the AC compressor to get the non-AC equipped belt to work, and I don't know if MB ever actually sold that engine without AC.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Here's a link to the procedure for clutch replacement on a W210:
http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W210CompressorClutch

It'll be interesting to see if you have the same clearance issues I did on your W124.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

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2005 Pathfinder LE
2001 E55
1998 M3
1982 320i

A/C compressor pulley bearings can and do fail occasionally. Replacing the pulley is not that big a deal, if you can get one.

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1989 300 SEL that mostly works, but needs TLC

Here's a link detailing just a bearing replacement on a ML:

A/C clutch maintenance; Removing and replacing bearing

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2005 Pathfinder LE
2001 E55
1998 M3
1982 320i