Preliminary Checks

49X mm 83.01.001

    Warning: Wear eye protection, gloves, and protective clothing when working on the air conditioning system. Leaking refrigerant from a damaged hose or line could cause blindness or serious skin burns.

  1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, shut down the engine, apply the parking brakes, and chock the tires.
  2. Check the appearance of the air conditioner compressor pulley assembly. If the friction surface of the pulley shows signs of excessive grooving due to belt slippage, replace both the pulley and the drive plate. Inspect the refrigerant compressor drive belt for damage and check that the belt is set at the proper tension. Also check the tightness of the compressor mounting fasteners. For instructions and torque values, see  of the Western Star 47X and 49X Workshop Manual.
  3. Inspect the drive plate. If the drive plate shows visible signs of damage due to excessive heat, replace the drive plate and pulley assembly. For removal and installation procedures, see  of the Western Star 47X and 49X Workshop Manual .
  4. Using a feeler gauge, check that the drive plate clutch clearance is within limits. See Table. for clearance specifications. See Fig. for the checking method. Adjust the drive plate clutch if needed.

    Fig. 1, Valeo Drive Plate Clutch Air Gap

    Table 1, Compressor Drive-Plate Clutch Clearance

    Compressor Drive-Plate Clutch Clearance

    Manufacturer

    Clearance: in (mm)

    Valeo

    0.012 to 0.024 (0.30 to 0.60)

      Table 1, Compressor Drive-Plate Clutch Clearance

    1. Inspect the compressor clutch coil wire. Check that the connector is not damaged or loose. Replace the wire if it is damaged.
    2. Check the overall condition of the air conditioning hoses. Look for cracks, cuts, and abrasions on the hoses. Replace damaged hoses. Also check for loose fittings on all of the air conditioning components.
    3. Check for a buildup of road debris on the condenser fins.
    Note:
    Document Number: 0000119481
    Manual Publication Date: 2024-05-16
    Topic Publication Date: 2024-10-31