Hey all,

My commute this morning had a belt start to screech, followed by a burnt rubber smell.....

I was running heat, in the down arrow position next to ECON button. I think that runs the compressor right?

Anyway, my A/C does not work and that belt is very loose and one section of it is already torn.

My question is... the belt didn't break, so why did I smell burnt rubber.... and can I just cut the belt out and fuhgetaboutit......I have the replacement belt on hand, but why bother. I don't have the funds to get the A/c worked on now, and plus it is winter, and I don't need it yet...

Could the belt just be slipping and the compressor wheel still turning it causing friction?

I don't know much about cars.

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85 300CD Turbo "Das Polluter" 230K sold for $3,000

98 BMW 323is

My guess is that the compressor seized. Cut it.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

It happened on our '83SD....my dad was driving home and it seized, smoked the belt, and melted the clutch on the compressor. I then cut off the belt.

Sad thing is, that car went from having the Arctic Blast A/C, to nothing. Oh well. We're not fixing it, too expensive.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Been there, done that! To my new, not remanufactured, compressor replaced less than six months ago.

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1998 E300 +310,000K
1996 E300 +460,000K

Did you flush out the system before installing the new compressor?

Yes, any time you open it. If its r12 it needs to be evacuated properly. They usually fail to inadequate oiling. I suggest reading the FSM on the climate control system. They have method for measuring oil quantity etc.

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Win,
Evacuating and flushing are two entirely different concepts. (I could suggest some reading material if you would like.) In any case, the purpose of my question was not to solicit general advice; it was to better understand what may have led to the specific failure that Lux experienced.

I've had it happen twice in the last 250K miles, or so, just cut off the belt.

Hell yes. I spent two days doing a hospital clean-room job on my system so I wouldn't have any problems. Multiple flushes (using my mechanics facility and professional-grade solvents and flush gun). All new o-rings, receiver/dryer, expansion valve, new compressor. FSM and manufacturer recommended oil charge.

Bottom line -- Delco compressors suck! (my Opinion, of course. YMMV)

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1998 E300 +310,000K
1996 E300 +460,000K

well, did you get a good supplier? did they honor the warranty? did they supply all new parts for the failed install?

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Mine did that right after the warranty expired. The clutch pulley bearing locked up. Compressor was fine, but the clutch assembly was another story.

So, you can cut a compressor belt with no bad effects.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

On an older minivan I had a bearing failure on the compressor clutch, bearing was replaced unit worked for a few more years.

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1978 300D Just awakened from a 8 year nap.
2005 Jeep Liberty Diesel Sport w/large Rectangular hole in top

I'm sure they will. Got 'em from my mechanic's supplier. Haven't pulled the junked stuff off yet.

Anyway, spugeddy, just cut off your belt for now, it'll be fine.

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1998 E300 +310,000K
1996 E300 +460,000K

Sure sounds like you did all the right things. That has to be terribly frustrating.

I guess I have been lucky. My original compressor ('82 300D) was still pumping after 24 years (6 years on R-134a) when I replaced it as a "preventive" measure when I switched back to R-12 in 2006. So far, so good on the new one.

Sorry if I seem angry. I'm just frustrated about having to change that expansion valve again. The rest of the job is cake, but the contortionist's act you gotta do to change that valve is a stinker.

Sorry for crapping all over your thread, spugeddy.

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1998 E300 +310,000K
1996 E300 +460,000K