From: Josh on
My 93 Aerstar has 170,000 miles. Today when I switched on the Air
Conditioning I heard a loud squeal from the engine compartment and
soon smelled burning rubber. Later when I had a friend switch the AC
on and off while I observed the compressor, I could see the plate
initially move in to engage then quickly disengage. Increasing RPMs
caused a loud squeal and the burning rubber smell again. Does this
sound like the clutch itself has gone bad, or some other problem
(bearings?) in the compressor?

Assuming it is the clutch, how difficult is it to replace? Can it be
done without pulling the compressor? I read somewhere that special
tools are required for Ford AC clutch replacement....are those still
available for loan at AutoZone? Also, given its age, would I be
better off in the long run buying a remanufactured compressor and
clutch, changing it myslf and then having a pro charge the system?
From: m6onz5a on
On Feb 20, 9:28 pm, Josh <joshhemm...(a)fastmail.fm> wrote:
> My 93 Aerstar has 170,000 miles.  Today when I switched on the Air
> Conditioning I heard a loud squeal from the engine compartment and
> soon smelled burning rubber.  Later when I had a friend switch the AC
> on and off while I observed the compressor, I could see the plate
> initially move in to engage then quickly disengage.  Increasing RPMs
> caused a loud squeal and the burning rubber smell again.  Does this
> sound like the clutch itself has gone bad, or some other problem
> (bearings?) in the compressor?
>
> Assuming it is the clutch, how difficult is it to replace?  Can it be
> done without pulling the compressor?  I read somewhere that special
> tools are required for Ford AC clutch replacement....are those still
> available for loan at AutoZone?  Also, given its age, would I be
> better off in the long run buying a remanufactured compressor and
> clutch, changing it myslf and then having a pro charge the system?

You're probably better off getting a new compressor. If you do go this
route make sure you get the system flushed & a new filter drier too
wouldn't hurt.

Also your '93 might still be R-12 freon which is expensive. You might
as well get it converted to R-134 too.
From: Steve B. on
On Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:28:28 -0800 (PST), Josh
<joshhemming(a)fastmail.fm> wrote:

>My 93 Aerstar has 170,000 miles. Today when I switched on the Air
>Conditioning I heard a loud squeal from the engine compartment and
>soon smelled burning rubber. Later when I had a friend switch the AC
>on and off while I observed the compressor, I could see the plate
>initially move in to engage then quickly disengage. Increasing RPMs
>caused a loud squeal and the burning rubber smell again. Does this
>sound like the clutch itself has gone bad, or some other problem
>(bearings?) in the compressor?
>
>Assuming it is the clutch, how difficult is it to replace? Can it be
>done without pulling the compressor? I read somewhere that special
>tools are required for Ford AC clutch replacement....are those still
>available for loan at AutoZone? Also, given its age, would I be
>better off in the long run buying a remanufactured compressor and
>clutch, changing it myslf and then having a pro charge the system?

It sounds like your compressor has locked up to me. With the engine
off grab the clutch and see if you can turn it.

Steve B.
From: dsi1 on
On 2/20/2010 10:54 PM, m6onz5a wrote:
> On Feb 20, 9:28 pm, Josh<joshhemm...(a)fastmail.fm> wrote:
>> My 93 Aerstar has 170,000 miles. Today when I switched on the Air
>> Conditioning I heard a loud squeal from the engine compartment and
>> soon smelled burning rubber. Later when I had a friend switch the AC
>> on and off while I observed the compressor, I could see the plate
>> initially move in to engage then quickly disengage. Increasing RPMs
>> caused a loud squeal and the burning rubber smell again. Does this
>> sound like the clutch itself has gone bad, or some other problem
>> (bearings?) in the compressor?
>>
>> Assuming it is the clutch, how difficult is it to replace? Can it be
>> done without pulling the compressor? I read somewhere that special
>> tools are required for Ford AC clutch replacement....are those still
>> available for loan at AutoZone? Also, given its age, would I be
>> better off in the long run buying a remanufactured compressor and
>> clutch, changing it myslf and then having a pro charge the system?
>
> You're probably better off getting a new compressor. If you do go this
> route make sure you get the system flushed& a new filter drier too
> wouldn't hurt.
>
> Also your '93 might still be R-12 freon which is expensive. You might
> as well get it converted to R-134 too.

Sounds like the compressor has locked up. It probably has internal
damage and needs to be replaced. If it is the bearings they've failed
catastrophically. Either way, it's messed up bad. The good news is that
your clutch is working fine but you'd be wise to replace that. I'd
replace the belt too but that's just me.
From: hls on

"Josh" <joshhemming(a)fastmail.fm> wrote in message
news:3c8ea315-6230-40db-9a74-ae6c5ef900fc(a)c16g2000yqd.googlegroups.com...
> My 93 Aerstar has 170,000 miles. Today when I switched on the Air
> Conditioning I heard a loud squeal from the engine compartment and
> soon smelled burning rubber. Later when I had a friend switch the AC
> on and off while I observed the compressor, I could see the plate
> initially move in to engage then quickly disengage. Increasing RPMs
> caused a loud squeal and the burning rubber smell again. Does this
> sound like the clutch itself has gone bad, or some other problem
> (bearings?) in the compressor?
>
> Assuming it is the clutch, how difficult is it to replace? Can it be
> done without pulling the compressor? I read somewhere that special
> tools are required for Ford AC clutch replacement....are those still
> available for loan at AutoZone? Also, given its age, would I be
> better off in the long run buying a remanufactured compressor and
> clutch, changing it myslf and then having a pro charge the system?

Read the other replies...They say most likely a compressor.. I agree.
BUT you CAN check it out.

Many tools are still available at Autozone. They even sell a few parts
but I would only buy a compressor from them if it were new and
guaranteed, which I dont know if they have.

If your compressor is seized, you probably need to flush this system,
etc etc, and replace with a new compressor. If you cant do this, have
it professionally done or dump the Furd.