B16 SE-R Spec V AC Compressors going out?

[Hikuro]

I was wondering with you Sentra lovers out there with SE-R Spec V's or maybe anyone with the B16 type come across an issue with your AC Compressors and AC clutch? 2 Saturdays ago I was just coming home from dropping off my girlfriend and hitting the 30K mark when suddenly as i turned my car off there was an annoying growl from my engine compartment. I checked to see if it was a fluke and it sure wasn't, but it was dark out so I couldn't take a gander on what could of been the issue.

Couple of days later I took my car to work and we didn't have much going on so my buddy and I put it on his rack and popped the hood. Pretty simple of a test as I started it up and we saw that the AC Clutch wasn't engaging the compressor and the bearing was rattling.

Luckily I took it to the store I bought it at that I use to work for, and they were gracious enough even after being out of my warranty for nearly a year replace the compressor and rings. However talking to a guy I knew at the shop said I was the 5th or so Sentra owner recently who had come in recently with a rattling noise only to find it being the compressor.

Any of you guys had a similar problem at all? I know lately some of these cars are being made kinda cheaply but wow, an AC Compressor? I mean my 2002 sentra, 2003 Altima 3.5 and even a freakin Wally Wagon still had their original compressors with a much higher mileage

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Thanks for sharing. Hopefully people will read this when they do a search for their AC compressor problems.

To tell you the truth... Nissan isn't historically very well known for their AC compressors. To be honest, they have always kind of sucked, but it seems like they are "stepping up their game" in the suckiness as of late. Its a shame.

There is most likely a technical service bulletin out for this problem, and maybe even an extended warranty on that part. Did the dealership end up replacing the entire compressor, or just a few parts?

[Hikuro]

They replaced the compressor and o rings, but they didn't replace the ac clutch which I heard was worn. So I might purchase a new one when my paycheck comes next week if it's enough.