A/C Compressor and Clutch Assembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 Lincoln MKT. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: The A/C compressor components are not serviced separately. The A/C compressor and clutch is serviced only as an assembly.

The A/C compressor has the following characteristics:

A non-serviceable shaft seal.
A non-serviceable pressure relief valve is installed in the bottom rear of the A/C compressor to protect the refrigerant system against excessively high refrigerant pressures.
Uses PAG oil or equivalent. This oil contains special additives required for the A/C compressor.
The oil may have some slightly dark-colored streaks while maintaining normal lubricant properties. This is normal for this A/C compressor because of break-in wear that can discolor the oil.
Use the refrigerant oil adding procedure specified for this vehicle when installing a new A/C compressor. Refer to Climate Control System General Information and Diagnostics .

When battery voltage is applied to the A/C compressor clutch field coil, the clutch disc and hub assembly is drawn toward the A/C clutch pulley. The magnetic force locks the clutch disc and hub assembly and the A/C clutch pulley together as one unit, causing the compressor shaft to rotate. When battery voltage is removed from the A/C compressor clutch field coil, springs in the clutch disc and hub assembly move the clutch disc away from the A/C clutch pulley.