Not so funny thing happened on the way [message #228502] |
Tue, 05 November 2013 07:21 |
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We were stuck in stop & crawl traffic trying to find a place to park at the Purdue football game last Saturday when, all of a sudden,I hear this sound that sounds like something like a leaf or piece of paper in the heater blower. Turned off the blower motor and noise persisted. Then the noise grew to shat sounded like water boiling, checked the gauges all OK. Noise progress to a rattling sound and I finally found a place to get out of the traffic, stop and have a look. We determined that the noise was coming from the AC compressor clutch so I decided to get to our parking spot and deal with it there. Back in the traffic the light rattling grew to big rattling and then a huge squeal coupled with the smell of burning rubber and then, when the belt failed, silence. Fortunately the belt is AC only so we made it home OK.
Hopefully the AC compressor is OK and just the clutch need to be replaced.
Bill Brown - '77 Buckeye Cruiser
Coshocton OH
carguybill@sbcglobal.net
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Re: Not so funny thing happened on the way [message #228504 is a reply to message #228502] |
Tue, 05 November 2013 07:36 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547 Registered: March 2007 Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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carguy wrote on Tue, 05 November 2013 08:21 | We were stuck in stop & crawl traffic trying to find a place to park at the Purdue football game last Saturday when, all of a sudden,I hear this sound that sounds like something like a leaf or piece of paper in the heater blower. Turned off the blower motor and noise persisted. Then the noise grew to shat sounded like water boiling, checked the gauges all OK. Noise progress to a rattling sound and I finally found a place to get out of the traffic, stop and have a look. We determined that the noise was coming from the AC compressor clutch so I decided to get to our parking spot and deal with it there. Back in the traffic the light rattling grew to big rattling and then a huge squeal coupled with the smell of burning rubber and then, when the belt failed, silence. Fortunately the belt is AC only so we made it home OK.
Hopefully the AC compressor is OK and just the clutch need to be replaced.
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Bill,
To me, this was a very familiar scenario, but ours occurred on the way to the fireworks several years ago....
It is probably the clutch bearing.
Autozone had the part for not too much money and had the required puller and pusher tool in their loaner set.
It was just about the same as you describe, but I was on a crowded road at moderate speed. First the came the rattle and that changed to a scream... BANG! then silence. I got stopped and figured it, I walked back a couple hundred yards to pick the belt off the road. (I'm not sure why I did, but I like to see failed parts.)
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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Re: [GMCnet] Not so funny thing happened on the way [message #228518 is a reply to message #228516] |
Tue, 05 November 2013 09:48 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005 Registered: August 2004 Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Similiar happening on my first coach. Stuck in traffic, A/C running, sudden loud bang then no A/C. A/C compressor clutch failed very loudly. Thank goddness the Onan was up and running and the Avion's two A/Cs worked. This was in Texas in July. Very warm is a mild description of the outside temperature.
Tom, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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Re: Not so funny thing happened on the way [message #228531 is a reply to message #228502] |
Tue, 05 November 2013 10:42 |
Ultravan Owners
Messages: 443 Registered: March 2013
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Glad you were able to make it home safely.
I know most, if not everyone, already knows the following. But here is a little tip for anyone who finds themselves in the same situation without tools or in bad weather. If you have other belts that drive the WP, ALT, and PS; cut the belt to the AC with a knife to allow you to drive on without any noise or causing further damage to anything.
Tony
Tony (Ontario Canada) Marie and I are blessed to have had a 2nd chance to buy our farm. Still hoping and more importantly praying to be able to build a garage. Our 1970 Ultravan #520 has an Olds Toronado 455 in back.
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Re: Not so funny thing happened on the way [message #228538 is a reply to message #228504] |
Tue, 05 November 2013 12:17 |
rjw
Messages: 697 Registered: September 2005
Karma: 4
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Matt Colie wrote on Tue, 05 November 2013 08:36 |
carguy wrote on Tue, 05 November 2013 08:21 | We were stuck in stop & crawl traffic trying to find a place to park at the Purdue football game last Saturday when, all of a sudden,I hear this sound that sounds like something like a leaf or piece of paper in the heater blower. Turned off the blower motor and noise persisted. Then the noise grew to shat sounded like water boiling, checked the gauges all OK. Noise progress to a rattling sound and I finally found a place to get out of the traffic, stop and have a look. We determined that the noise was coming from the AC compressor clutch so I decided to get to our parking spot and deal with it there. Back in the traffic the light rattling grew to big rattling and then a huge squeal coupled with the smell of burning rubber and then, when the belt failed, silence. Fortunately the belt is AC only so we made it home OK.
Hopefully the AC compressor is OK and just the clutch need to be replaced.
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Bill,
To me, this was a very familiar scenario, but ours occurred on the way to the fireworks several years ago....
It is probably the clutch bearing.
Autozone had the part for not too much money and had the required puller and pusher tool in their loaner set.
It was just about the same as you describe, but I was on a crowded road at moderate speed. First the came the rattle and that changed to a scream... BANG! then silence. I got stopped and figured it, I walked back a couple hundred yards to pick the belt off the road. (I'm not sure why I did, but I like to see failed parts.)
Matt
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My clutch failed a few years ago. I was lucky that the only symptom was a blown fuse every time I tried to run the dash AC. I bought the tools because none of the local parts stores had them in their rental programs.
I was able to remove and replace the clutch and bearing in place without too much difficulty after removing the fender liner. Only hassle was supporting the rather heavy unit during the process. IIRC the clutch and bearing come together as a unit from the parts place.
The old clutch and bearing were both toast upon inspection.
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com
Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water heaters.
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Re: Not so funny thing happened on the way [message #228570 is a reply to message #228502] |
Tue, 05 November 2013 16:35 |
kingd
Messages: 592 Registered: June 2004
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Can someone explain to me how the clutch and bearing can fail if the AC is ON. Don't these parts all go around together unless the AC is off and the clutch is disengaged ????
DAVE KING
lurker, wannabe
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Re: Not so funny thing happened on the way [message #228571 is a reply to message #228570] |
Tue, 05 November 2013 16:42 |
C Boyd
Messages: 2629 Registered: April 2006
Karma: 18
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Sir: the bearing is in the housing and the clutch turns on it whether it is engaged or not.
kingd wrote on Tue, 05 November 2013 17:35 | Can someone explain to me how the clutch and bearing can fail if the AC is ON. Don't these parts all go around together unless the AC is off and the clutch is disengaged ????
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C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
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Re: [GMCnet] Not so funny thing happened on the way [message #228576 is a reply to message #228570] |
Tue, 05 November 2013 17:09 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412 Registered: May 2011 Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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The pulley and bearing spin anytime the engine is running. The clutch plate merely engages the compressor shaft. The bearing is side loaded at all times.
--johnny
From: Dave King <kingd@sympatico.ca>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Tuesday, November 5, 2013 5:35 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Not so funny thing happened on the way
Can someone explain to me how the clutch and bearing can fail if the AC is ON. Don't these parts all go around together unless the AC is off and the clutch is disengaged ????
--
DAVE KING
lurker, wannabe
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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Re: Not so funny thing happened on the way [message #228580 is a reply to message #228502] |
Tue, 05 November 2013 18:05 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046 Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Bill
Here are the tools I used to r&r the clutch bearing. The bearing was about $25 at Autozone when I did the work.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5593-gmc-ac-compressor-tools.html
Hope this is helpful.
Dennis
carguy wrote on Tue, 05 November 2013 07:21 | We were stuck in stop & crawl traffic trying to find a place to park at the Purdue football game last Saturday when, all of a sudden,I hear this sound that sounds like something like a leaf or piece of paper in the heater blower. Turned off the blower motor and noise persisted. Then the noise grew to shat sounded like water boiling, checked the gauges all OK. Noise progress to a rattling sound and I finally found a place to get out of the traffic, stop and have a look. We determined that the noise was coming from the AC compressor clutch so I decided to get to our parking spot and deal with it there. Back in the traffic the light rattling grew to big rattling and then a huge squeal coupled with the smell of burning rubber and then, when the belt failed, silence. Fortunately the belt is AC only so we made it home OK.
Hopefully the AC compressor is OK and just the clutch need to be replaced.
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Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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Re: Not so funny thing happened on the way [message #228696 is a reply to message #228502] |
Wed, 06 November 2013 18:58 |
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Thanks to all for your comments. I've put the old girl away for the winter but next spring I'll be using your information to replace the clutch & bearing. (Although the AC has never worked as long as I've owned the coach.)
Bill Brown - '77 Buckeye Cruiser
Coshocton OH
carguybill@sbcglobal.net
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Re: Not so funny thing happened on the way [message #228703 is a reply to message #228696] |
Wed, 06 November 2013 19:21 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030 Registered: January 2004 Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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My daughter and I almost went to that game. We changed our mind a couple of weeks ago. Looking the score, it wasn't much of a game. We did not miss much.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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Re: Not so funny thing happened on the way [message #228705 is a reply to message #228696] |
Wed, 06 November 2013 19:41 |
roy1
Messages: 2126 Registered: July 2004 Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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carguy wrote on Wed, 06 November 2013 16:58 | Thanks to all for your comments. I've put the old girl away for the winter but next spring I'll be using your information to replace the clutch & bearing. (Although the AC has never worked as long as I've owned the coach.)
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When you change the clutch it would be a good time to change the seal as well. If the system is low or out of refrigerant there is a good chance the seal is at fault.
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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Re: Not so funny thing happened on the way [message #228708 is a reply to message #228696] |
Wed, 06 November 2013 19:50 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576 Registered: February 2004 Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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carguy wrote on Wed, 06 November 2013 16:58 | ... I've put the old girl away for the winter but next spring I'll be using your information to replace the clutch & bearing. (Although the AC has never worked as long as I've owned the coach.)
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If you are not going to fix the AC. Just remove the belt and be done with it.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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Re: [GMCnet] Not so funny thing happened on the way [message #228716 is a reply to message #228705] |
Wed, 06 November 2013 20:45 |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548 Registered: March 2007 Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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I have the little seal-swap toolkit that I'm happy to loan out.
Larry Davick
Fremont, California
A Mystery Machine
'76 (ish) Palm Beach
----- Original Message -----
From: roy@gmcnet.org, keen@gmcnet.org, Minden@gmcnet.org, "Nv '76 Glenbrook" <roynpaula@charter.net>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Wednesday, November 6, 2013 5:41:41 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Not so funny thing happened on the way
carguy wrote on Wed, 06 November 2013 16:58
> Thanks to all for your comments. I've put the old girl away for the winter but next spring I'll be using your information to replace the clutch & bearing. (Although the AC has never worked as long as I've owned the coach.)
When you change the clutch it would be a good time to change the seal as well. If the system is low or out of refrigerant there is a good chance the seal is at fault.
--
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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