ac compressor supposed to spin freely?

[RiyadYar]

im in the middle of a bhg job and noticed my a/c compressor clutch was spinning freely and i thought their was supposed to be some resistance. So i bought a used one from a member and his spins freely also...is the ac compressor clutch supposed to spin freely .

 

[mirage83]

IIRC the pulley should spin freely unless and until the magnetic clutch is engaged, then there should be resistance and the entire center section will rotate as well as the pulley.

 

[Poodles]

Exactly^^

It should freewheel unless the clutch is energized...

 

[Nick M]

You can turn the compressor by hand, it will be difficult. This is different than that free spinning part. In fact, when you install a new compressor, after filling with oil, you have to turn it by hand with grunt to circulate oil.

If the compressor doesn't come filled that is.

 

[RiyadYar]

thanks guys. i still needed a new one because when i spinned the outer pulley it sounded like a bad bearing was in their

 

[nick88]

it should spin freely until the a/c is turned on and the magnetic clutch is engaged