Page 1
Car/Auto air conditioner clutchDiagnose/replac/repair Instructions.
Halla or Visteon HS-18 Compressor
The clutch is an external unit and has nothing to do with the refrigerant. Most of our customers are doing the job by themselves without removing the compressor off the engine.
Before Repairing / Replacing the Clutch, please check the following;
a. Make sure your Radiator Fan is functioning properly and there is sufficient airflow through the condenser.
b. Make sure Your alternator is charging the system in low RPM even if the charging light is not on.
c. Make sure you are getting the right voltage to the electromagnetic coil. Most vehicles design to use 13.6 Volt.
d. Make sure your AC system is not overcharged with refrigerant.
Insufficient air flow through the condenser, overcharged system, and low voltage are causing excessive heat.
Excessive heatwill cause the clutch to fail.
Disassembling;
1 - Center Bolt;
- Find best way to hold the Hub (front Plate) STILL, by using a screwdriver or any other tool and remove the center bolt. You can use an impact- wrench.(Counterclockwise).
- I DO NOT RECOMEND it if you have no experience since you can break the bolt.
2 - Hub (Front Plate);
- Just lift the hub with your bare hand. If the hub is stuck, lift it with 2 thin screwdrivers (opposite sides) and pry it gently. If the hub does not come off contact us for assistance.
- Remove all shims (washers) from the compressor shaft.
3 - Pulley;
a.Remove the Snap ring that holds the pulley (bearing) on the compressor nose.
b.Lift the pulley by pulling it with your bare hand, or; Pry it with 2 large screwdrivers (One on each side of pulley) or; Tap it gently around using a small hammer or; Use 2 or 3 jaws pulley puller.If using a puller, protect the shaft by a socket leaning on the compressor Nose. DO NOT lean the puller center bolt on the shaft. (You can rent a pulley puller in any parts store if you do not have one)
4- Coil (Electromagnet)
a.Disconnect the Coil from the power source.
The coils is pressed-on the compressor housing.
b.Remove the Coil by prying it with 2 large screwdrivers /pry bars.
(Lean the pry bars on the 4 compressor housing bolts)
Assembling(How to replace the PulleyBEARINGsee last paragraph “Bearing Replacement Instructions”.
Before you start installing all new parts I recommend you to clean the front head of the compressor. You can do it by wiping out the dust with a wet rug.
1- Coil; (Electromagnet);
- Place the coil on the front head of the compressor. Tap it with a hammer all the way around (on the inside diameter of the coil) MAKE SURE the coil seats on the compressor housingPERFECTLY.If thecoildoesn't seats perfectly on the compressorhousing it will rub against the pulley and the clutch will fail.
- Connect the Coil to the power source.
2-Pulley;
- Place the pulley on the compressor nose and push it with your hand until it stops on the compressor front head, OR; Use a sleeve, the size of the inner race of the bearing, and tap the sleeve with a hammer, OR; Tap it gently using a small hammer on the inner part of the Pulley.
- Install the Snap-ring that holds the pulley (bearing) on the compressor nose.Make sure the ring SNAPS in its place.
c. Spin the pulley and make sure the pulley is NOT RUBBING against the Coil.
Assembling(Continue) Page 2
3 -Hub; (Front Plate)
You need to create the right gap between the hub and the pulley for the hub to engage correctly.The smaller the gap, the longer the life of the clutch, but the hub is not allowed to rub against the pulley when it’s not engaged.
The gap should be 0.010" - 0.020”.
If the clutch is designed in a way, that you can’t slide a feeler gauge between the hub and the pulley, do it as follow;
a.Install ALL shims (washers) on the shaft.
b.Install the HUB and spin the pulley.With all shims the hub will not rub against the pulley.
c.Start to remove one shim at a time until thehub start to rubbingagainst the pulley.Then add one shim only.
d.One thin shim is the correct gap.
e.Spin the pulley and make sure the hub is not touching the pulley(No Belt on)
4 - Center bolt;
- Install the bolt on the compressor Shaft trough the hub.
- Find the best way to hold the Hub STILL (front Plate) by using a screwdriver or any other tool and tighten the center nut/bolt. Use of Loctite Blue 242 is recommended. Spin the pulley again and make sure the hub is not rubbing against the pulley. (No Belt on)
5 - Test;
It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that after you finish replacing the clutch you will run 2 wires directly from the battery to the clutch bypassing everything, to see if the clutch engages properly.
Rotate the pulley few FULL revolutions while the clutch is engaged. You will turn the compressor with the pulley making sure the compressor is rotating as well.
Install the belt after this simple test.
NOTE: newer models are designed in a way that without the engine running you will not have power to the clutch.
Just start the engine, ask for A/C and see if you have cold air.
“Bearing Replacement Instructions”.
To remove the bearing out of the pulley is not easy but possible.
The hardest part is to find the right tools (round metal).
Not to bend the pulley you need to support it correctly;(do not support the pulley on the outer diameter)
- Supportthe Pulleywherethe machine stakes (tabs) are.
- Place on the top of the bearing a strong round piece of metal (large Socket) the size slightly smaller than the opening in the pulley.
- Press the Bearing out with a press. While pressing the bearing out you will break the stakes.
To press the new bearing in:
- Support the pulley in the center of the Pulley.
- Use the outer race of the old bearing as a tool to push the new bearing and press it in.
- Make sure the bearing was pressed all the way into the pulley cavity.
- Make few new stakes with a center punch. Be careful. If the center punch slips you will damage the new bearing.
If you have any problem with the replacement you can contact us for assistance at .
Thank you for purchasing a quality product made by MAXSAM Industries LLC.