A/C noises

[creophus]

I just got my S14 SR swap completed. Now that they have all of the parts, they put on my A/C. I blows nice and cold but the A/C compressor makes all kinds of noises. It's like a slow whine/warble. At first it only made the noises when the A/C WAS NOT on. Now it makes them when its on or off. What should I tell the guys who did my swap? Is this a sign that the A/C compressor will die soon? Does it need oiling? Is it over/undercharged? Something wrong with the belts??

[NISTECH]

first check your belt tencion if its ok you probably have a worn out compressor clutch. see what you find with the belt. could also be the idler pulley for belt adjustment if you take the belt off and try and spin the pulley see if it sounds smooth or crunchy inside.

[creophus]

Thanks. Is this a sign that the thing is about to die soon? What should I ask/tell the shop to do to correct this problem??

[Q45tech]

Just what a professional CERTIFIED shop wants to hear a 3rd part opinion, who cannot hear the problem. Noise is from rotation and only the compressor, clutches, and electric fans rotate.

For your long term education a good book on mobile AC would be a worth while starting point as you will have car AC for the rest of your life..........so you may have problems at least 10 more times before you quit driving........sure the technology may change in the next 50 years..........but the basic principles will be the same only the gases will change at least in the next 10-20 years.

Soon compressor will be driven from electric motors not the engine............like your home systems but those fail also.

[creophus]

Good info. But my issue is that I don't know if this is just a noisy annoyance or if I should stop driving and get this fixed immediately. Right now the shop is doing everything to make sure that the install is good. I just want piece of mind that this won't fail sometime real soon. I'd also like it to quit making that noise!

Thanks for all the help that you guys have been and will continue to be.