Chrispy0530

iTrader: (1)

First of all, I must apologize as I know there are quite a few threads regarding this. I'm new to the Evo scene, and just got mine about 2 weeks ago with around 113k miles.

The car drives flawlessly, except the A/C does not work. Which when it's hot outside, or raining, this poses a problem. (The fiance refuses to drive in it as it gets quite warm)


Anyway, so all the electrical as fine as I tested everything. The compressor, and pressure switch are both receiving power. Tried By-passing the Pressure Switch just to rule it out, and no engagement.

So after digging and searching, I found that we do have an issue with our clutches on the compressor getting out of spec. So I attempted tapping it, a bit harder then most videos as mine wouldn't turn on like below:


Tapping it enough times, and it will eventually start moving! But... very slowly. Nothing like the video posted above.


Any ideas?

S.Brewer

Use a feeler gauge to check the gap in the clutch. Does it draw in at all? Also check pressure in the system. If it is over or under charged it will not let the compressor kick on.

Chrispy0530

iTrader: (1)

Don't have a feeler gauge, but I suspect there may be a gap. If I keep tapping on it hard enough, it eventually starts spinning, just very slowly. This is what puzzles me. You accelerate, and it completely stops.

System is full of pressure I believe. When hooking up a recharge kit to it, it reads max. I do know the read changes when the compressor actually kicks on, but that's part of the issue I'm having in the first place. Won't kick on.

S.Brewer

Sounds like the clutch is out of spec. And the clutch can't draw in enough to get a good bite to spin with the engine. And to properly trade pressure you need a set of gauges to hook up. But to me sounds like the clutch. But I would buy a cheap set of feeler gauges first before throwing expensive parts at it.

barneyb

113 K miles + Florida = clutch is worn out

Tekniq

iTrader: (11)

http://www.pitstopauto.com/products/...ncer-co-11161t

Chrispy0530

iTrader: (1)

I got it to work! More like a band-aid fix for now, but it works flawlessly at the moment!

I went ahead and separated the clutch, and removed the shim. I did notice on the clutch side it was a bit rusty and dirty. So I tried cleaning it up as much as I could. Put it all back together ( without the shim ).

Clutch was spinning slow, but was starting to "bite" and speed up. With a few revs it started spinning normally and I now have ice cold A/C!


So I'm assuming driving without a shim is bad, even though the compressor shows no issues. I can order this kit: http://www.discountmitsubishiparts.c.../MR315936.html - and assuming it arrives before this weekend, I can put the shim on.

barneyb

Your choice on what you want to do. There were many people writing about reviving the A/C by removing the factory shim. When I was faced with the same problem I kept reading and found some of these same people reporting that the clutch had failed again in maybe less than a year. So, I chose to go with a new clutch - obviously a more expensive option.

Chrispy0530

iTrader: (1)

I suppose I will go like this then until it fails. Once it fails, will replace the clutch.

iLLevo_

clutch

Chrispy0530

iTrader: (1)

^^ Yep. When it fails/gets out of spec too much, I have a replacement sitting here waiting.

zbestevors

iTrader: (1)

good job. throw the shim in when you get it. clean and lube everything up.

Chrispy0530

iTrader: (1)

Question. So After about a week of driving it without a shim, I noticed the compressor itself was making a very large knocking sound ( at one point I thought it was my motor! ). So I thought okay, I need to get a shim added on there asap. I went ahead and ordered a used but working A/C compressor ( always good to have a spare ).

I took the shim out of it as well as the clutch ( it was in better condition ), and added it to my current compressor. The knocking noise started for a while, but after about 30-40 seconds it went away. Now what I do notice, is that the compressor is running all the time. If you shut the A/C off, it remains spinning without disengaging.

Any suggestions/tips appreciated.

Chrispy0530

iTrader: (1)

Update:

Started driving the car for a short distance, and notice a small amount of spark coming out of the compressor and eventually a burn smell. Not sure what is exactly going on here. The shim is on, but I do see hesitation on the A/C compressor when trying to spin now ( A/C no longer blows cold ).

Any ideas?


Update: 4:53pm
Removed the serpentine belt, and the pulley spins, but wobbles and has a slight hesitation. Calling the A/C compressor done for.

Will be ordering this: http://www.pitstopauto.com/products/...ncer-co-11161t

What sucks is I'll have to take the car somewhere to vacuum the entire system then fill it. I know a lot of places love charging high for that. Will be running an A/C delete belt for now till I get the compressor.

barneyb

A clutch kit comes with a coil, a pulley, a bearing, a package of shims - everything that goes on the nose of the compressor and no need to discharge the system. Saving money sometimes doesn't.