XC70: Engine - Seized Air con compressor

Pugwash5 · Mar 23rd, 2019, 11:06

I have an 09 XC70 with 41K miles on the clock, which went in for a routine MOT. After an hour I was approached by the garage to ask if I had had problems with starting to car. Went to see what was wrong, it was on the ramps with a flat battery. Found that the air con had been left running whilst they tested it, they replaced the battery and it still struggled to turn over. But finally started and the testing was completed. After a mile driving home smoke was pouring from under the bonnet found the A/C belt melted and compressor seized. Can anyone explain what could have caused this? On the plus side it passed the MOT.

tonys1966 · Mar 23rd, 2019, 12:25

nothing they dd would contribute to its failure sadly-its an item designed to be used,in modern cars the a/c compressors are all too weak on many models

at least it didnt ping that belt off under the aux belt then cambelt....plus you can easily do without it most days untill you find a replacement

Pugwash5 · Mar 24th, 2019, 02:14

Thanks for your help 👍🏼

kenny · Mar 24th, 2019, 19:52

Air con compressor failure is a known issue on these cars. You are lucky as was I, it is not unusual for the belt to snap then wrap around the timing belt killing your engine. When mine seized my wife had been through to Glasgow on a rare hot day, when she got home I jumped in the car to nip to the shop and noticed the air con was not working, I stopped and found the belt snapped where it had burnt through.

maartenvd · Mar 27th, 2019, 06:32

Question, is it safe to drive without the AC stretch belt? The pulley of my airco compressor has been making a buzzing noise for a while now, and I have the impression its getting worse recently

I will have this fixed later on, but can I cut the AC stretch belt and continue driving without it? Like that I don't run the risk of the aircon pump seizing and causing lots of damage if the belt snaps. Thanks.

green van man · Mar 27th, 2019, 06:47

Without the belt the air con doesnot work but I don't think there is any other effect upon the car.
It is certainly safer the belt be removed rather than snap in situe

Is it the compressor or the compressor clutch that siezes?

Paul..

kenny · Mar 27th, 2019, 21:23

It was the clutch on mine but it is or was not available on its own.

green van man · Mar 28th, 2019, 06:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenny

It was the clutch on mine but it is or was not available on its own.

Thankyou. I know landrover say the same about the air con compressor on the rangerover 322, however the clutches are available 3rd party as I helped a mate change his. A bit like the volvo alternator clutch, volvo it comes as part of the alternator, eBay, volvo alternator clutch £65.

Paul.

Mar 23rd, 2019, 11:06	#1
Pugwash5 New Member Last Online: Jun 13th, 2019 09:13 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Skipton	Seized Air con compressor I have an 09 XC70 with 41K miles on the clock, which went in for a routine MOT. After an hour I was approached by the garage to ask if I had had problems with starting to car. Went to see what was wrong, it was on the ramps with a flat battery. Found that the air con had been left running whilst they tested it, they replaced the battery and it still struggled to turn over. But finally started and the testing was completed. After a mile driving home smoke was pouring from under the bonnet found the A/C belt melted and compressor seized. Can anyone explain what could have caused this? On the plus side it passed the MOT.

Mar 23rd, 2019, 12:25	#2
tonys1966 Junior Member Last Online: Nov 6th, 2023 16:34 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Glenrothes	a/c nothing they dd would contribute to its failure sadly-its an item designed to be used,in modern cars the a/c compressors are all too weak on many models at least it didnt ping that belt off under the aux belt then cambelt....plus you can easily do without it most days untill you find a replacement

Mar 24th, 2019, 02:14	#3
Pugwash5 New Member Last Online: Jun 13th, 2019 09:13 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Skipton	Thanks for your help 👍🏼

Mar 24th, 2019, 19:52	#4
kenny Master Member Last Online: Dec 16th, 2020 20:33 Join Date: May 2009 Location: kirknewton	Air con compressor failure is a known issue on these cars. You are lucky as was I, it is not unusual for the belt to snap then wrap around the timing belt killing your engine. When mine seized my wife had been through to Glasgow on a rare hot day, when she got home I jumped in the car to nip to the shop and noticed the air con was not working, I stopped and found the belt snapped where it had burnt through.

Mar 27th, 2019, 06:32	#5
maartenvd Junior Member Last Online: Jan 16th, 2022 05:28 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Lausanne	Question, is it safe to drive without the AC stretch belt? The pulley of my airco compressor has been making a buzzing noise for a while now, and I have the impression its getting worse recently I will have this fixed later on, but can I cut the AC stretch belt and continue driving without it? Like that I don't run the risk of the aircon pump seizing and causing lots of damage if the belt snaps. Thanks.

Mar 27th, 2019, 06:47	#6
green van man Premier Member Last Online: Apr 11th, 2024 09:21 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ffos y Ffin	Without the belt the air con doesnot work but I don't think there is any other effect upon the car. It is certainly safer the belt be removed rather than snap in situe Is it the compressor or the compressor clutch that siezes? Paul..

Mar 27th, 2019, 21:23	#7
kenny Master Member Last Online: Dec 16th, 2020 20:33 Join Date: May 2009 Location: kirknewton	It was the clutch on mine but it is or was not available on its own.

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