Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum

arty4444 wrote:Thanks, It was hard to find a shop that would do a clutch kit instead of the whole compressor

That's because on most vehicles - unless there's plenty of access space - the refrigerant must be recovered, and the compressor must be removed from the engine, so actually more labor to just replace a clutch as compared to replacing "compressor with clutch". So there's not much demand for clutches only, as easier for a shop to warranty and fix everything if a new compressor is installed. Either way, system gets evacuated and new refrigerant added.

I do understand I was very lucky that my older van did have access room.

I'm actually able to do similar on my 1988 Mazda truck.