For a long time now, my A/C compressor (or something running on the A/C belt) has been making a whirring/whining noise when my engine would rev at 1000+ RPM. (regardless of whether or not A/C is on or off.
I changed all my drivebelts a few weeks ago and set all the belts to specified deflection and the noise was much more louder and annoying, so I loosened the belt enough so that it would be quiet enough to drive and not conflict with engine operation.
Can I fix whatever is causing this noise without having to replace the compressor? I don't want to have to mess with the refrigerant I have in there now because it's still good and I don't have any way of storing it.
I've been told that's it's a bearing on the compressor, so if that is the problem, can I replace that without having to remove the compressor from the engine? I'm willing to remove what may be in the way such as the radiator; it's no problem since I am due for cooling system flush, so I'll be replacing coolant anyway.
91 240SX KA24DE A/C Compressor Whining Whirring Noise
the pulley you use to adjust the compressor belt is your likely culprit. loosen the belt then remove the nut that secures the pulley to the adjuster,slide the pulley off. place your finger tips on the center of the bearing so you can spin the pulley in your hand. If it makes a noise or you can feel vibration in your finger tips that pulley is no good replace it.
Re: (NISTECH)
I'm currently experiencing the exact same problem, but I'm not sure it is the adjustment pulley... It looks like some very very fine metal shavings are coming from behind the A/C pulley itself, right at the compressor. I've noticed a buildup of them (looks like metal flake paint) on the power steering hose right next to the compressor. I suppose they could be carried by the belt from the adjustment pulley, but I doubt my luck is that good.
Sometimes the noise is loud, like a metal-on-metal squeal sound, and sometimes it is barely noticable. However, when it is loud, and I shut the car down, it sounds very mechanical, with a "clunk clunk clunk" sound as the belts stop.
The A/C still works, and works great, it's just making this god-awful noise, with or without it on.
Is this a sign of the compressor ready to die, or is there a way to replace the pulley on the front and still salvage this?
Thanks,
James
(ps - I tried searching for both the adjustment pulley and the compressor pulley and couldn't find any part numbers - you wouldn't happen to have those, would you?)
Sometimes the noise is loud, like a metal-on-metal squeal sound, and sometimes it is barely noticable. However, when it is loud, and I shut the car down, it sounds very mechanical, with a "clunk clunk clunk" sound as the belts stop.
The A/C still works, and works great, it's just making this god-awful noise, with or without it on.
Is this a sign of the compressor ready to die, or is there a way to replace the pulley on the front and still salvage this?
Thanks,
James
(ps - I tried searching for both the adjustment pulley and the compressor pulley and couldn't find any part numbers - you wouldn't happen to have those, would you?)
Do the test I mentioned first. If the pulley is ok then you are likley right about the compressor clutch. With the metal flakes I too feel it is probably the clutch assembly. but still do the test on the pulley as it is extreamly easy to remove and replace that pulley.If you determine its the compressor pulley you can remove and replce the compressor clutch on the compressor without removing the compressor from the car. There is the center bolt on the clutch you need to remove. then the clutch plate comes off. After the clutch plate fall out you will see a snap ring holding the clutch on. remove that snap ring and carfulley slide the clutch STRAIGHT out. After that is off you can knock the electro magnet off the compressor by gently tapping it forward around its edge with a hammer. install is in the reverse order.
Update...
So today I'm driving home from work, and the noise just keeps getting louder and louder, to the point where it's sounding familiar... it's beginning to sound like a piece of metal on a lathe...
So I pop the hood with the engine running and start looking down at the compressor, and I can see the metal flakes floating in the air WAY above the A/C. That didn't seem right, so I started looking around, and saw this:
The top bolt holding in my power steering pump had backed itself out to the point of rubbing against the pulley! The metal flakes? Pieces of pully and bolt from rubbing together. There was very little pressure against each other, which would explain the tiny flakes, and the intermittant noise.
So, went home, cranked the bolt down, and no more problems.
So I've got 2 questions based off this ordeal:
1 - Is this bolt prone to backing itself out?2 - Should I use some removable thread lock on it?
Thanks,
James
So I pop the hood with the engine running and start looking down at the compressor, and I can see the metal flakes floating in the air WAY above the A/C. That didn't seem right, so I started looking around, and saw this:
The top bolt holding in my power steering pump had backed itself out to the point of rubbing against the pulley! The metal flakes? Pieces of pully and bolt from rubbing together. There was very little pressure against each other, which would explain the tiny flakes, and the intermittant noise.
So, went home, cranked the bolt down, and no more problems.
So I've got 2 questions based off this ordeal:
1 - Is this bolt prone to backing itself out?2 - Should I use some removable thread lock on it?
Thanks,
James