Do you have to change the whole air conditoner compressor or can you just replace the pulley which is the real problem?

Answer 1

It depends on the type of problem you have with the compressor. If you aren't getting cold air from your A/C system and you are sure that all the other components such as the condenser, evaporator, radiator and refrigerant are good, the compressor is faulty and needs to be changed out, the pully can still be free turning yet the compresser not functioning. If the pully does not move, the compressor is seized and needs the be changed out completely unless you want to waste your time rebuilding it, and usually it will cost you more in parts IF you can even find them to buy. If the pully is free turning and the compressor not engaging, the clutch is bad and can be changed, but usually isn't worth the time and the cost savings are minimal if at all. If the compressor functions as it should but the pully is damaged and is tearing belts and things like that, yes the pully can be changed, very easily, be sure to get the same diameter pully as this pully size has direct relation to the clutch in the compressor. Basically, when you're talking about an A/C compressor, its always more economical and just plain easier to change out the entire unit than to monkey with the present one unless of course, you like headaches;) my pulley was frozen due to bad bearings causing the car to crank to slow to start. drove me nuts trying to figure out why it wouldst start and why it was not cranking fast enough to start. much easier to replace the pulley rather then the compressor and way cheaper. trust me on this i have a 1994 3.4 camaro that is the hardest car i ever had to work on i hate this car!!