Aircond questions need help.....

[progkamol]

Hi all,
I have a Toyota Estima 1993 4WD turbo diesel (imported). Its a 8 seaters and I use them to go traveling around with family and friends. The problem I have is that the aircond stop working about 3-4 months ago. At first I suspected that it would just need to be re-gas so I took the car to auto electrician shop that does re-gas. When I came to pick up the car he told me that I will need a new compressor and would cost me $1100 all up. So I asked him what was wrong with the compressor and he said that the clutch is slipping on the compressor, meaning only one side spins and the other side doesn't so that is why it is not working.

Anyhow, at that time I didn't have the $$$ to do it so I took the car home. Today I drove the car to Hardware store to pick up some stuffs for my garden and when I got home I saw a black belt hanging undet the car. I got under neat and softly pull that belt down and it appears to be broken. I looked around and notice that the belt came off the airconditioning unit. During the drive I did not turn on aircond or heater at all and the belt wasn't hanging off before. (by the way the heater is working fine its just the aircond that is not cold, it still have full gas)

So I here are the questions:
1. In above situation, what would be the cause for the aircond to stop working. Is it true what the guy at auto shop said? Or could it be somethingelse?
2. Could it be possible that the damage/broken belt is the cause for the aircond to stop working? If yes, would it be easy to fix?
3. What would be the best/cheapest and easy way to get it fix. What would you guys suggest?

Thank you in advance

 

[CLuTZ]

Replace the belt and see how you go!

 

[GSR94T]

yeah the guy may have been working on it and left the belt off at the end of the job - just before he let you know that he believes the compressor is at fault..


but in my opinion , for just a few bucks and peace of mind, id replace the belt like clutz said because you never know it might fix it - nothing to lose!
and if it does fix it, you know that bloke is a rip off and full of sht

 

[EVO-00X]

Perhaps its fallen off because the bearings have collapsed inside it therefore why it needs a new compressor I'd buy another belt to and check it out first though as the guys said above, or take it somewhere else for a second opinion

 

[Richard]

I've seen this sort of thing before, as the guy told you the compressor clutch is buggered, while you may not have used the A/C the belt being still on there is still spinning all the time when you are driving, the clutch has most likely seized and it wouldnt be long before the belt shreaded/snaped. Before just whacking on a new belt see if the compressor pulley spins freely, (while motor and A/C are off) if not then it is seized and you will need a new compressor and a new belt.

The senario where I have seen it before is simelar as we had told the guy his A/C clutch was noisy and between then and when he brought it in to be fixed (a couple of weeks) the compressor had compleatly seized and snapped the belt