My 98 T5 w/40k miles has developed a noise similar to a bearing going out on an accessory. I have isolated the culprit to be the A/C compressor. Using my mechanics stethoscope I listened to the tensioner, PS pump, alternator and compressor. All sounded pretty good...even the compressor seemed ok. I decided to turn the A/C ON to see whether the noise would change. Sure enough the noise changed. As I said before, the stethoscope showed no obvious signs of bearing degradation. Question is does anyone heard of spraying silicone oil in the clutch assembly of the compressor? I think GM cars used to have little holes in their A/C clutches just for this purpose.

Thanks for you help,
Genaro

 

Are you sure it is the bearing and not the compressor itself?

 

From what you are descibing, it could be a belt noise or even a compressor mount noise. Any work done recently?

You mentioned the noise changed when you turned the A/C on. What change was it? Louder? No more noise? Can you explain that?

There is no lubrication points on any clutch. The two metal surfaces rely on being clean and smooth in order to work properly. Besides, the pulley bearings are all sealed too.

Let us know a little more detail if you can and check the belt too.

Hope this helps!

 

Absolutely now work done recently. Although I did degrease the engine with Simple Green and sprayed it off. Could any residual simple green cause this belt noise?

The noise when turning on the A/C wasn't really any louder just changed pitch when the clutch engaged and disegaged. I think the pitch was lower.

I am thinking of trying to spin the clutch (of course, while the engine is off), to see if it makes any noise. It should freewheel and be pretty quiet right?

Thanks again,
Gino

 

Not knocking the product you used... but some degreasers will do strange things to belts. I assumre you mean you're going to remove the belt and spin the pulley, right? That may not tell you anything because it's not under load.

I lost a lot of compressor sales during my retail service shop days because there was no problem with the compressor, and the noise was a belt or pulley related thing. For the cost of a belt, I would strongly suggest that you try a new belt.

Hope this helps. I am anxious to hear what you find.

 

OK that being said........i'll bet the belt on this car is the original and I do have one in the box ready to be installed. I'll probably do it next Friday..........gotta tend to my M-F 9 to 5 job

Thanks for you suggestion.

 

I visited a lead mechanic and former autoshop teacher to help me diagnose the problem. After listening to all the belt driven accessories with his fancy stethoscope, he theorized the following.

1. The bearing of the pulley is a little noisy but nothing that he would worry about for now. He feels that it could run 'forever' like that and may never cause any problems. He also said that it is possible that I could take the pulley off and see if I can remove the bearing, take it to NAPA and see if they can match it up to a new bearing...that is if I can see a part number on the removed bearing. Thoughts?

2. This is the more serious one. He also diagnosed that the compressor was substantially more noisy than the pulley bearing. I have not been able to price out the cost of a new compressor. Does anyone have any idea what a new compressor will cost me?

As a note I have not replaced the serpentine belt but at this pont it would seem highly unlikely that the belt could be causing all this racket.

Geez, when I found this 98 T5 with only 40k I thought that I would not be having this kind of problem so soon. Kind of disappointing .

Thanks for your suggestions.

Gino

 

I would find a Reman. compressor for about $350.00 and install it. Or find someone to rebuild it.

I said in an earlier post I though the Compressor might be louder than the bearing.

I would just replace the compressor.

 

Hi, Several things. I'd like to share a website I found where you can buy a/c compressors. http://aircoparts.com/shop/index.php
Will the gentleman above need to change out the whole compressor just because he's having some noise? Does the noise mean the compressor is going soon? And lastly, my a/c is not blowing cold air and I've done searches on this forum and Tech, you seem to strongly suggest changing the compressor. Is that the main part that will go bad?

 

The Evaperator is the main thing that goes bad but the compressors go bad as well.
Is your system full?

His compressor is noisey thats why he needs to change it.

 

The shop I brought it to (maybe back in aug) recharged the system and said they found no leaks. It was then blowing cold, then a week after it wasn't blowing cold anymore. I never had a chance to go back to shop. If the system is still full then what could be wrong?

 

I doubt it is full I will bet it is empty and the evaperator is leaking.