Secret Air Conditioner Self-destruct mode?

[VTrescueS2000]

Ok, so the thread title is a joke. I'm just curious to know if anyone has had their AC Compressor clutch shred itself while the car was idling and thusly contaminate all the associated AC piping.

This happened last summer and I'm just now getting it taken care of - considering that my warranty company is actually going to replace the entire system it was apparently a big mess.

(Also a testament for buying a warranty when buying a used car - the job is going to total over $2000.)

I'd just be interested to know if this has happened to anyone else, where the self-destruct switch is so I don't hit it again, and if a one time fix corrected the issue.

Thanks, guys and gals!

[poolshark743]

I think this happened to Damonhimself if I recall correctly. Was a huge mess.

[repiv]

Never heard of it. The clutch in the compressor is part of the pulley assembly and if it should crap out and somehow disintegrate, I don't see how the bits could damage anything else in the system. The clutch assembly is at the front of the compressor, while the piping runs out the back.
A new compressor costs under $500.00 and it's likely that you would only have to buy the clutch assembly for much, much less. Add in labour and recharging the refrigerant and I still don't see where it's going to run $2000.00.
Something else is going here. You might be getting a simplified story.

[dcat151]

Yea, I know it's a different car, but a little while back the compresor clutch went on my wife's CR-V. It was around an $800 job. (Luckily we'd talked the dealer into throwing in an extended warranty when we bought the car used, so we weren't out of pocket anything.)

[My_yella_s2k]

CRVs are known for this...

If the compressor craps out, it is very possible for the metal shards to go everywhere in the AC system - from the a/c receiver/drier to the condensor, to all the lines and the all important evaporator.

it happens man - sucks when it does.....

[VTrescueS2000]

The CRV type breakdown sounds like what's being described to me. The Honda dealership that is doing the work is one that I would trust to do open heart surgery on my dog so I'm sure its for real. This is compounded by the fact that the warranty company (CostGuard) hates to replace the entire AC system, but rather prefers to have it flushed before a new compressor clutch is installed, and they actually agreed with the dealership on the scope of the problem. Apparently didn't even put up a fight. All I know is that between the tear-down, diagnostics, and waiting on the 3rd party warranty company to come look at it, I've been without the car for a week.

I miss V-TEC. :sad:

PS - You folks have been so helpful in the last few weeks I might take some of the money my warranty is saving me on this repair and buy a membership.