Red residue at front of engine

[dashhho]

Hi all. Anyone know what this red residue is? It seems to be coming from the AC maybe?

It is all over the fan, shroud and many other things. Should I be concerned?

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[RangerNumber3]

I would guess that it's dust from the ac bearing disintegrating.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I'd say that's dust coming off the A/C clutch.

 

[Ranger850]

I'd say its rust dust from the AC pulley clutch

 

[tinman_72]

I'd say your engine bay is infested with tiny Martians. That is stray dust from the red planet.

 

[dashhho]

I am wondering if my AC is being cycled on/off too often and it might be burning out the clutch. When the clutch engages and disengages it is pretty loud (not sure if this is bad?). I often see pools of condensation water under my truck when I park.

Any ideas or if I am on the right track?

 

[racsan]

On my older a/c equipped vehicles I always unplugged the compressor clutch electrical connector in the fall when I would no longer need a/c. I dont do it now because its too difficult to get to the compressor on the escapes & her equinox.

 

[pjtoledo]

the clutch disk can be removed without disturbing the belt, bearing, pulley, or hoses. has a nut in the middle.
clean & inspect, adjust the shims to set the gap.

 

[JJMaine]

Is the AC/compressor needed for defrost? If not then I might like to disconnect mine for the winter as well because mine clunks pretty good. Not noticeable while driving but makes me wince a little when I flip defrost on in the morning lol.

 

[Jazzer]

It helps defrost and exercises the AC, but isn’t strictly necessary, as far as I know.

 

[SenorNoob]

There is a night and day difference between having the AC on with defrost or not in my wife's car. Only vehicle I've ever driven with AC...

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I am wondering if my AC is being cycled on/off too often and it might be burning out the clutch. When the clutch engages and disengages it is pretty loud (not sure if this is bad?). I often see pools of condensation water under my truck when I park.

Any ideas or if I am on the right track?

The other way around...they usually go bad from not being cycled enough. Oftentimes the defrost setting will run the ac compressor to get them alive through winter when the ac isnt used for a long time.

 

[JJMaine]

Oh okay that makes sense, thanks!

 

[dashhho]

the clutch disk can be removed without disturbing the belt, bearing, pulley, or hoses. has a nut in the middle.
clean & inspect, adjust the shims to set the gap.

Thanks for this. the gap was way over spec. I took out what I think is the only shim and it is just below spec. it is not rubbing and disengages fine so I think it is ok. I will keep an eye on it.

 

[Broosedamoose]

Yeah, that's dust from the A/C clutch. It runs when you use the defrost for two reasons, one is because the A/C system also acts as a dehumidifier and thus dries out the moisture on the windows. Two is to excersize the A/C system so the seals don't dry out over the winter from it not being used. That's the theory anyway.