AC Smoke Show

[DallasZR-1]

About a two weeks ago on a hot and very humid day, I switched the A/C on (it was at it's lowest setting) and was immediately met with a severe engine stumble and clouds of white smoke pouring out from both sides of the hood. I switched the A/C back off almost immediately and drove home without any problems. Switched the A/C back on later and it seemed to be working completely normally. It hasn't been really hot here since then, so hard to tell if the A/C is cooling sufficiently but it's definitely blowing cold air. Nothing seemed amiss under the hood.

So ... anyone have any idea what happened?

My best guess is the compressor seized momentarily and that smoke was friction on the belt.

[G8nightman]

Check the ac clutch look under the hood by the compressor if there’s a bunch of rubber pieces you blew the ac clutch.


Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry

[Paul Workman]

I had that exact thing happen on my LT1 car. First time I used the AC after being stored all winter, and SCREECH w/ smoke and smell of burning rubber...then nothing! WTF?

I lifted the hood, and found traces of melted rubber near the AC compressor, so I started there. I found nothing apparent - only traces of a previous problem, i.e., burnt/melted rubber flecks radiating from the AC compressor.

My bro is a professional HVAC tech, so I asked him about it. He shrugged, but said it sounds like the compressor was temporarily hydrolocked, possibly, or else a mechanical issue resulting from possible corrosion(?) accumulating during the long period of non-use.

I never tore into the danged thing. It worked fine - never another incident occurred some 2 years since. So, I assumed it was a temporary anomaly. And, with some reservation, I set it aside in my mind: got lucky (I guess). But, I DID keep an extra belt in my emergency spares bin behind the seat...just in case!

David Hetrick produced a splendid "HOW TO" article in the Registry's Heart of the BEAST (HOTB) magazine. Also, Cliff (aka Dynomite) may have archived the link(s) to the article. (Wish I could be of more help, but that is one piece of the puzzle I've yet to dive into. But, from what David said, the unit is surprisingly easy to work on.)

Good luck!

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Originally Posted by DallasZR-1

About a two weeks ago on a hot and very humid day, I switched the A/C on (it was at it's lowest setting) and was immediately met with a severe engine stumble and clouds of white smoke pouring out from both sides of the hood. I switched the A/C back off almost immediately and drove home without any problems. Switched the A/C back on later and it seemed to be working completely normally. It hasn't been really hot here since then, so hard to tell if the A/C is cooling sufficiently but it's definitely blowing cold air. Nothing seemed amiss under the hood.

So ... anyone have any idea what happened?

My best guess is the compressor seized momentarily and that smoke was friction on the belt.

As you and others have said, that is the most likely scenario.
Although the A/C clutch, while less likely, remains a possibility.
Get into the habit of leaving it on, so that it cycles every time you start the car.
These cars and their parts are 23-28 years old now. Best to keep all exercised.


Marty

[DallasZR-1]

Thanks for the info guys! Super helpful as always.