I had a new R4 compressor(BEHR) installed in August of last year and it has worked perfectly until today. At the tail end of a 120 mile round trip, I heard a short screech from the AC belt and then warm air. Thought the belt had broken. I turned the AC off until I got home. Once home I popped the hood and saw the belt was OK, so turned the AC on. The compressor engages, but seems noisy and it smells like new paint burning with wisps of smoke coming from the area of the new compressor. I'm thinking it may be the clutch. Am I on the right track here? I believe the unit is warrantied for a year.

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2002 500SL(Black/Black)
1992 300SE(Black/Black)
1992 190E 2.3(White/Navy)
1999 VW Jetta TDI(Pearl Green)
1986 SAAB 900 Base 3 door(White)
1983 Porsche 911SC(Chiffon)
1977 VW Scirocco(DiamondSilver)

Compressor is toast and it was preventable. Shop that replaced it for me didn't also replace the drier at the time. Behr won't replace it under warranty for that reason(I don't blame them). New compressor and drier on order and maybe they'll get it right this time(they are going to thoroughly flush the system as well). Price of an education, I guess.

__________________
2002 500SL(Black/Black)
1992 300SE(Black/Black)
1992 190E 2.3(White/Navy)
1999 VW Jetta TDI(Pearl Green)
1986 SAAB 900 Base 3 door(White)
1983 Porsche 911SC(Chiffon)
1977 VW Scirocco(DiamondSilver)

Some really good insurance would be to put in a suction side filter. You can get them from an auto a/c supply house. It is REALLY difficult to get out all debris by flushing. By using a suction side filter, if there is debris left, it will catch it just before it enters the compressor.

Good luck,

Thanks Larry, I will talk to my indy about doing this!

__________________
2002 500SL(Black/Black)
1992 300SE(Black/Black)
1992 190E 2.3(White/Navy)
1999 VW Jetta TDI(Pearl Green)
1986 SAAB 900 Base 3 door(White)
1983 Porsche 911SC(Chiffon)
1977 VW Scirocco(DiamondSilver)