Will driving the AC compressor when the system is not charged with refrigerant do any damage?  Or should I remove the drive belt?

The compressor clutch will not engage when the system is empty. The outer section of the pulley free-rides all the time when the AC is off anyway. Only when the AC or defrost is turned on does the compressor clutch engage and start driving the compressor.

 

Unless there's a problem with the compressor pulley or the tension idler for the compressor belt, you can just leave the belt on.

Thanks Tax.  (although you have once again shown the world my stupidity).

... shown the world my stupidity ...

 

C'mon, don't be so hard on yourself, we all were Newbies, once.

 

It is more stupid Not asking the questions you might have.

 

---

 

Regarding this:

 

 

The compressor clutch will not engage when the system is empty. The outer section of the pulley free-rides all the time when the AC is off anyway. Only when the AC or defrost is turned on does the compressor clutch engage and start driving the compressor...

 

If you notice strange squeaks from the Compressor's pulley and band, or if it seems to be engaged, despite being off; there could be an electrical short circuit on the system.

 

Kind Regards.

Ouch!!  Now I am not only stupid but also a Newbie (and at my age.)!

 

Thanks anyway 2-7.

Edited November 16, 201510 yr by Mikevan10

Ouch!!  Now I am not only stupid but also a Newbie (and at my age.)!

 

Thanks anyway 2-7.

 

Frankly, I think you are misunderstanding our words and our will to help.   

 

So, I'm sorry if anything I wrote did offended you, that was not my intention.

 

Good luck with you car and your repairs... Kind Regards.

I am only joking around.  Thanks kid.

often, the o-rings at the compressor-mounted ends of the suction and discharge hoses go bad. Since the system is discharged, fairly easy to change them, probably worth changing the valve-inserts at the hi and low ports.

 

less commonly, the discharge hose itself is bad.

 

probably start by putting 22-25ozs of refrigerant in after changing at least the o-rings. Consider using the refrig. with the dye in it.

 

Fixed my Outback that way. see; http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/127980-diy-ac-air-conditioning-leak-refrigerant-repair-for-5-or-less15-m/

Edited November 17, 201510 yr by 1 Lucky Texan

How many o rings would i need to change the suspect ones on a 1999 outback

hard to say if your system is empty for a different reason but, there's 1 o-ring each on the suction and discharge hoses on my 03 Outback. So, 2 o-rings.

 

look thru the thread I linked.

 

You may need a pro but, the more common issues can be done fairly easily by a backyard mechanic.

Thanks Tex (and GG)!

yeah, GG is the source here - really helped me a lot.