Where can you buy an AC compressor clutch?

[slugg]

The clutch on the compressor pulley in my 2002 Mazda Protege broke off as I was driving and is forever lost. I've searched the interwebs far and wide and I can't seem to find just that part; all I can find is the entire compressor, which is a ton of money.

Any ideas?

 

[Zivic]

The clutch on the compressor pulley in my 2002 Mazda Protege broke off as I was driving and is forever lost. I've searched the interwebs far and wide and I can't seem to find just that part; all I can find is the entire compressor, which is a ton of money.

Any ideas?

salvage yard for a used piece... otherwise you are likely going to have to suck it up and buy new compressor.

edit:
just did a quick search. 150 bucks buys you a reman unit. 150 isn't necessarily pocket change, but a far cry from a "ton" of money

 

[bamx2]

As you sure that the clutch didn't fail because of a seized compressor ( original compressor ?) ?

They are out there (part #s maybe different, check with an AC parts specialist) . A new clutch will could cost $100 ish . I would go the junkyard route or buy a rebuilt compressor (worth it in the long run if you plan on keeping the car).

 

[bruceb]

Never had a compressor clutch fall off. But I tend to agree, it is more than just a clutch failure. Easier to just replace the entire compressor.

 

[wirednuts]

for $150, just replace the compressor. or spend $25 at a junkyard for a replacement clutch so you buy enough time to throw metal shavings all over your a/c system making you replace half the works for around $1500

 

[Squisher]

I'm surprised more don't self destruct given the tell tale metal shavings being stuck to the magnet.

 

[slugg]

Okay, $150 it is. I can't seem to find this $150 compressor, though. I've googled... I have failed.

 

[Zivic]

Okay, $150 it is. I can't seem to find this $150 compressor, though. I've googled... I have failed.

found a few on ebay.. I have bought a fair amount of A/C compressors and alternators off ebay for my farm equipment/trucks with positive experiences

 

[phucheneh]

A/C clutches don't fall off. They either fail in the engaged or unengaged (freewheeling) positions.

What is left on the front of the compressor? Did the clutch parts seperate?

Any way it goes, you need to check to see if you can spin the compressor. If you can't, you need to replace it, plus the drier/accumulator and the orifice tube if it has one (that car might use an expansion valve). Then you need to do a serious evacuation (pull vaccuum on the system for a long amount of time) and then make sure a proper amount of oil is put back into the system.

Backyard compressor jobs have a lot of repeat failures. It's pretty much always because of metal and/or moisture in the system (the reason it needs a lengthy evac) or because someone was under the mistaken impression that said evac along with compressor replacement did not remove a substantial amount of oil from the system.