Hi, along with a recent problem concerning my intercooler pipe, my 850 T5 Wagon has thrown up another issue. Being as I am essentially clueless in regards to car engines I am here to ask for more help/advice. I have used the search function and Google but didn't actually know what I was looking for so here we go:

After returning home after a 10/20Km drive I noticed a burning smell within the car, like burning plastic perhaps, so I turned off the engine immediately. As I was 100m from my parking spot I decided to start the ignition and try to drive it. Immediately, before I moved the car, there was a intermittent high pitched whining noise coming from the serpentine belt (? long belt, left side of engine) and within 20 seconds there was smoke visible. The smoke came from the the very bottom front spool, below what I believe is the alternator (it says Bosch on it).
So, after some research I came to the conclusion that this would be the A/C compressor, would I be right in thinking that?

Additionally, since I have had the car (approximately 12 months) the air conditioning has never worked correctly. Sometimes it's fine and will stay cold for an entire 1+ hour journey, other times it'll blow warm air within minutes. I had never really been concerned with this as I rarely use it anyway, but after some reading it seems that this could have been an indication of what was to come.

Is this a common problem? Am I on the right track with the A/C Compressor? And is this a major, and costly, repair job?

Thanks for any help that can be offered, and a Happy New Year to all.

Craig.

 

Craig,

It sounds to me that the AC compressor has seized up on you. If you don't need the AC, I believe they make a shorter belt that can be used to bypass the AC compressor. If you do want to have working AC, you will have to have the compressor replaced and that may cost a few dollar bills.

 

fcpgroton

Okay thanks, I've not had any luck finding a shorter belt so I'll probably just get the compressor replaced. Hopefully I'll find a mechanic that knows what they're doing.

Thanks for your help.

Craig

 

Find yourself a good indy Volvo mechanic. You can ask around on the board and I bet someone in your area will be able to recommend someone.

 

Cartalk.com home of Tommy and Ray: Search for mechanics recommended by customers:
http://www.cartalk.com/content/mechx/

Andrew, you should be ashamed. "They" make a shorter belt?
Ed