P500 - Smoke pouring from bonnet / inside car - failed second hand part

[robgx300xjr]

Morning All,

Decided for a morning run in P500 this morning, approx 3 miles from home, strange belt squeak/shearing noise and engine stalls when I dip the clutch....

Engine will turn but won't run. With lots of throttle get it to start and rev at 3,000 rpm. Not sure how much of the clutch is left but got it to limp home.

Just as approach the house I noticed/smelt first smoke in the cabin. So jumped out to find it pouring from the o/s/f front of the car. On opening the bonnet it can be clearly seen from the a/c compressor - the belt is intact so I can only assume the compressor itself has failed/siezed. This is the only second hand part I have put on the car, and it's lasted 8 months - and nearly started a fire....

It's booked in the body shop tomorrow - so my plan is to remove the compressor belt and will get on the hunt for a new a/c compressor.

Not the best start to a Sunday

[naki]

Blimey, thats a bit of shocker.
I can only assume the burning was the belt getting shredded if the compressor seized.
i have had this on an alternator belt on a 40, but only from starting. never when driving already.

Lets hope you can find one for less that the main dealer price!
MNA7300AB £556.81

[naki]

http://www.sngbarratt.com/ProductDetail ... 88d21ace90

Slightly less

[naki]

Ebay to the rescue again?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AC-Compressor ... Swax5YrvxS

[robgx300xjr]

Thanks Naki - looks like a good option - really odd, was coming from the front of the pump. Rather than from the belt, but cut belt, and pump is seized solid - will keep you posted. Might be a warm summer

[steve_m]

I had that many moons ago on a LWB Series II XJ12.
'About' 70 mph in the fast lane on the M3, in the dark, and suddenly an enormous shower of sparks came out of both sides of the bonnet.
Looked like a Dornier going down over London.
Sphincter factor off the scale!
Managed to get across to the hard shoulder quite quickly and popped the bonnet.
The belt to the compressor was red hot so it had obviously seized.
Cut it off with a Stanley knife and carried on.
Apparently the gas has a lubricant in it and no gas means no lubricant so that was the end of the bearing.

[robgx300xjr]

Naki or anyone - have any of you used the e-bay supplier from Germany??

I have found a UK supplier - autodoc - https://www.autodoc.co.uk/lucas-electrical/7838730#

Anyone used these before. Cheers

[robgx300xjr]

Naki, I went for the Ebay German option at 179 - arrived 2 days after ordering.

Looks good, won't get it on the car for a couple of weeks. Thanks again.

[naki]

Thanks Naki - looks like a good option - really odd, was coming from the front of the pump. Rather than from the belt, but cut belt, and pump is seized solid - will keep you posted. Might be a warm summer

i Imagine it must have been seized bearings inside the pump.

[naki]

Naki or anyone - have any of you used the e-bay supplier from Germany??

I have found a UK supplier - autodoc - https://www.autodoc.co.uk/lucas-electrical/7838730#

Anyone used these before. Cheers

I have never used ether of these sellers no. But you will have a 12 month warranty at least. So am sure it will be fine.
Some options at least. Just in time for spring/ summer too.

[robgx300xjr]

Naki and all, after sweating all the way down to Windsor 0 finally got the car re-gassed this morning - pump seems to be working fine and very very cold air comping through. Will keep you posted over time. Good value at £180. Cheers Rob