I turned on my air conditioning for the first time in years....I wanted to see if it was still blowing cold. Well, it was just blowing warm air and then I started seeing smoke come from the passenger side of the engine. It stops if I turn the air off. I can't really see where it is exactly coming from. It kind of stinks too. I'm wondering if it is a belt, or if the compressor is frying. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

Sure sounds like the compressor is locked up, and the smoke you see is the belt burning. I'd inspect your belt to make sure you didn't burn part way through it in a spot, which will cause it to snap. Oh, and don't turn the A/C on any more, it needs a fixin!

 

Thanks, I definitely will not turn on the air. It's probably because I haven't ran the air in so long, it decided to cease up.

 

Yeah that'll do it. A/C compressors like to be used every once in a while. Replacing the compressor isn't too bad of a job if you're comfortable working on car A/C systems. You definitely have to do it from under the car. Helps to unbolt the sway bar so you can move the hard lines out of the way.

 

when you use the defrost in the winter, or any time, the ac compressor runs. its supposed to clear the window better (ive never noticed any difference between a car with ac and a car without), but i personally think its to prevent the compressor from not running for months.

but i defiantly think your compressor is no good

 

Time for a rebuild.

 

I think I'll hold off for a bit on buying new one. I don't drive the car in the winter so I don't really need the defrost. Plus with my luck if I fix it right now, something else will break right after and cost me more money. I've been having that bad luck with my house......electrical panel caught fire and then 3 days later my hot water heater decided to take a dump and flood part of my basement. <----jinx =/

 

The idea behind the A/C running when defrost is on, is to help remove humidity. It does help with the windows.
I'd disconnect the plug at the compressor, just in case you accidentally bump the heater controls to the wrong position.

 

Unhook the power to it.

 

OK, will do!