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Thread: A/C compressor smoking?!

  1. #1
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    A/C compressor smoking?!

    Today my car suddenly started to stall as I approached a stop sign.. i was like and gave it more gas and push in the clutch, but eventually it still stalled. I restarted it and i was able to go a lil bit but it still wanted to stall, and smoke started coming from the engine

    i pull over and pop the hood and theres a bunch of smoke coming from the A/C compressor. I checked inside the car and I guess I had the a/c turned on, though it doesn't blow cold so i didn't notice. It used to blow cold last summer so i assume it's got a leak. I turn off the a/c and start her up after a minute or so.. no problems and no more smoke.


    I get home and try the a/c again.. i didnt leave it running long but it didnt stall the car or cause any smoke so i wtf is up.. at first i assumed the compressor seized or something and was even contemplating having to cut the a/c belt but i wasnt so sure that was a good idea lol. Is it likely my a/c compressor is shot? that kinda sucks cause i was hoping to refill it but oh well if it is i'll get some weight reduction going on lol

    it's this part that has smoke coming from near it:

    im 99% sure is the a/c compressor lol



  2. #2


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    Re: A/C compressor smoking?!

    Quote Originally Posted by frantik
    Today my car suddenly started to stall as I approached a stop sign.. i was like and gave it more gas and push in the clutch, but eventually it still stalled. I restarted it and i was able to go a lil bit but it still wanted to stall, and smoke started coming from the engine

    i pull over and pop the hood and theres a bunch of smoke coming from the A/C compressor. I checked inside the car and I guess I had the a/c turned on, though it doesn't blow cold so i didn't notice. It used to blow cold last summer so i assume it's got a leak. I turn off the a/c and start her up after a minute or so.. no problems and no more smoke.


    I get home and try the a/c again.. i didnt leave it running long but it didnt stall the car or cause any smoke so i wtf is up.. at first i assumed the compressor seized or something and was even contemplating having to cut the a/c belt but i wasnt so sure that was a good idea lol. Is it likely my a/c compressor is shot? that kinda sucks cause i was hoping to refill it but oh well if it is i'll get some weight reduction going on lol

    it's this part that has smoke coming from near it:

    im 99% sure is the a/c compressor lol

    thats The power steering pump
    2004-2011?

  3. #3
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    Re: A/C compressor smoking?!

    hmm well it was coming from that area but not specifically out of that part.. but glad i didnt cut the belt then LOL

  4. #4
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    Re: A/C compressor smoking?!

    check the condition of the a/c or p/s belt to see if either one has siezed up, causing the belt to burn up

  5. #5

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    Re: A/C compressor smoking?!

    if your ac sytem is discharged and the compressor turned on then it will be the ac compressor getting too hot/worn.... since the ac gas is also a lubricant for it so if theres no gas theres no lube and yeah friction makes smoke, thats my theory anyway. i dont see how a power steerr pump could make smoke unless it jammed and the belt was doing a skid on its pulley lol

  6. #6

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    Re: A/C compressor smoking?!

    Sounds like the compressor seized. See if you can rotate the center part by hand.
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    Re: A/C compressor smoking?!

    Quote Originally Posted by wohdog
    if your ac sytem is discharged and the compressor turned on then it will be the ac compressor getting too hot/worn.... since the ac gas is also a lubricant for it so if theres no gas theres no lube and yeah friction makes smoke, thats my theory anyway. i dont see how a power steerr pump could make smoke unless it jammed and the belt was doing a skid on its pulley lol
    i think this is prolly whats up. maybe the compressor siezed temporarily and once it cooled it was able to turn again?
    Last edited by frantik; 06-25-2007 at 04:30 PM.

  8. #8
    DX User dlr1989's Avatar
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    Re: A/C compressor smoking?!

    If your compressor siezed and in the process of destroying itself caused a refrigerant leak you may have lost enough pressure that the low limit switch will not let the compressor clutch engage.
    Quote Originally Posted by frantik
    i think this is prolly whats up. maybe the compressor siezed temporarily and once it cooled it was able to turn again?

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  9. #9


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    Re: A/C compressor smoking?!

    Might want to put your oil cap back on too.



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