I pulled into the petrol station at 6:30 this morning to fill up ahead of a long journey. FIrst I notice an odd pungent burning smell then I spot smoke issueing from under the bonnet.

I quickly moved the car away from the pumps, fearing that the whole place could burn down!

Once i got to a safer location I lifted the bonnet to find no evidence of a fire and the smoke had gone althought the pungent burning smell lingered.

To cut a long story short I managed to get to a Honda dealers a couple of miles down the road and they have diagnosed a seized A/C compressor causing the aux drive belt to rub and heat up generating the smoke.

The honda part is on back order and they can't bypass the compressor with a shorter belt.

A honda compressor will be £1500, when it arrives from Japan, they are trying other suppliers but so far two they've tried have not been able to help.

I know that second hand ones can be bought quite cheaply from e-bay but I that will be my last resort.

What other options do I have?

I'm not keen to remove the air con but is that possible? What size aux belt would I need if only for a temporary repair?

I want to get the car back on the road quickly as I'm driving a hire car until it's fixed at my own expense.

 

Plenty of people delete the air con on S2000's. I am not one of them.

This looks like a good place to start, took 10 seconds to find on google.

https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/109...n-delete-belt/

 

Thanks japcrap - i read that and someone said the part specified didn't fit.

I'm also more interested in replacement compressors and possible suppliers.

Removing the a/c will be a last resort so further info on that from anyone with direct experience would be useful.

 

Loads of second hand items on Ebay for about £50

For example: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-Honda...item3cfd591237
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-S200...3D261948510775
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-Honda...3D261948510775

 

Thanks for the prompt replies guys.

I've managed to source a brand new OEM compressor from these people in the US Buy Auto Parts.

Price including shipping is a more reasonable £330 compared to the £1500 that Honda want for a new one or £900+ for a getting mine refurbed and refitted.

I've still got to pay customs fees and fitting on top of that but it seems the best deal available.

 

I have a spare compressor laying on my garage floor you could have had for a few quid!

Sorry only just seen this post.

Was from a 52k mile car.

 

Thanks Liam

The new compressor arrived from the US in 8 days, delivered direct to dealer, who paid the £75 customs and VAT then added to my bill as we agreed.

Delaer fitted the compressor, new Aux drive belt and tensioner pulley but in the process sheared the bolt on the tensioner pulley and had to order in a new one from Brussels , which delayed getting the car back by another 4 days.

I've been driving it for a few days now and all seems well.

Interestingly the price of compressors from the people I got mine from in the US jump by $500 just after I bought mine!

Seems like they've realised there's a shortage and looking to make some money at our expense.

 

"sheared the bolt on the tensioner pulley" some muppet didn't realise it was a reverse thread did they ?

 

Glad you're awake and paying attention, Ben!