Air Con Compressor

[Windyfarmer]

Whilst travelling home from Malvern on Sunday afternoon my air-con compressor decided to seize up - blue smoke, burning rubber smells emerging from under front offside wing at 70+ on the M6 - brown trouser syndrome and associated smells almost following.

I'm looking for a replacement A/C compressor for an S2 and somewhere with the experience of doing the change and setting up the repaired system - presumably also change of refrigerant to a 'green' option?
Ideally a garage located in NW England or Central Belt Scotland.
Alternatively anyone know where I could get this one repaired?

Regards JB

[Specky]

Lotus aftersales A100E6113F, A.C. Compressor, ELAN M100,

Qty 20,

Lotus price £1046.31+VAT

Sale price £273.63 +VAT

or This thread may help



TTFN

[rip]

presumably also change of refrigerant to a 'green' option?

Apparently this is not very effective, but it may be the only stuff available now.

[Jackonicko]

Horrifyingly, I think I may have three spanking new Air Con compressors and a s/h one. Let me check. I only need two....

[Windyfarmer]

Thanks for responses.

Practical progress so far:
Air Con fuse removed and switch set to OFF
Crank pulley - all horrible burnt on belt debris removed with difficulty.
Electromag-clutch on compressor is fully released and spinning freely.
New belt fitted - all runs OK
90 mile trip around south end of Lake District today - great no problems.
At least i can postpone buying and fitting a new A/C compressor for a wee while.

[HJ2]

... then what caused the belt to fail ?

My aircon makes a short screeching noise every other minute (a bit like a cricket) It sounds like the belt is slipping a little when the clutch is engaged / disengaged. Can anyone explain to me how the airon compressor is steered? (steering signal, sensors involved, on/off criteria etc).

I want to know if the screeching noise is somehow connected to what's happening & the pump & clutch...

[Windyfarmer]

... then what caused the belt to fail ?

My aircon makes a short screeching noise every other minute (a bit like a cricket) It sounds like the belt is slipping a little when the clutch is engaged / disengaged. Can anyone explain to me how the airon compressor is steered? (steering signal, sensors involved, on/off criteria etc).

I want to know if the screeching noise is somehow connected to what's happening & the pump & clutch...

Cause of belt failure - My aircon was running at the time so the clutch would be cycling - engaged/disengaged - to keep the evaporator output air just above freezing. I guess that the shaft bearing decided that it had had a hard life and just decided to seize, therefore with clutch engaged the belt burnt out.
My compressor is externally quite oily but whether this is refrigerant carried oil or other leaks/spills I am uncertain - what i do know is that the shaft is solidly seized!

Re 'How does it work? query - Lotus Service notes Section PE page 5 and electrical circuit Sheet 19 provide the explanations.
Try removing your A/C fuse - A2 - for a period (therefore no clutch engaging) and see whether your short screeching is still there or is eliminated.
Regards
JB

[HJ2]

Thanks, will do that!