AC Compressor smoking belt when engageing

**johnshuler08** · 07-02-2008, 10:38 AM

I put a can of freon in my car yesterday, because it wasn't very cold. Compressor wasnt cycling, but I just started the car with the a/c on and it started smoking the belt. Killed the car and restarted it without the ac on, and did ok. Turned the ac on and it worked fine, but turned ac off before killing the car and it smoked for a second. Could I have too much freon in it? Any ideas??? Thanks

**vetteemt** · 07-02-2008, 11:01 AM

My guess is that the compressor bearings are going bad.

**ksulkosky** · 07-02-2008, 11:40 AM

it wouldn't do that with two much freon. your best bet is to get your a/c serviced by a qualified (EPA 609) tech. theres only so much you can do without the right tools. ( gauges, vacuum pump, recovery machine.
but if i had to guess, i would say your compressor is going bad, and once that sucker starts to seize up, (either from lack of refrigerant oil or just age) thats it. like any other pump or compressor, once its damaged by heat, you need to replace it.
another less common problem is the the bearing on the compressor clutch pulley. that can be rebuilt but on a 98 i would just go ahead and replace the compressor. it is costly but its just one of those things you gotta do eventually.