A/C compressor noises

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 12, 2002 | 09:45 AM

ken04

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 2,245

Likes: 16

From: Vancouver Wash USA

A/C compressor noises

Yes I ALREADY know I'm ****-retentive,,,, Lately eveytime I haven't run my engine for a while, when I turn on the A/C I get a tremendous clunk, or a clattering noise, it almost sounds like the belt is jumping off the A/C pulley over and over. I recall someone else here asking this same question. Has anyone else had anything similar to this ? I keep having this vision of the compressor freezing up and therefore the serpentine belt shredding into a billion strands and losing all power sterring, alternator, etc, etc. I have even switched the A/C on prior to firing up the beast, and it still makes the noise. Now after it has done this once, it doesn't make any noise whatsoever when I switch the A/C on or off. It's just after it's sat for a day or so. Any similar problems from anyone out there ? We're right @67,000 miles. I went to several other sites including the auto reliability site which lists major problems that a majority of owners have, or have had, and I see nothing like this. Is it just me ? Or do I have a potential problem ? Thanks so much, Ken

98 E-350 XLT V-10 Clubwagon

Sep 12, 2002 | 10:28 AM

JKBridges

Senior User

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 146

Likes: 0

From: Cumming, GA USA

A/C compressor noises

Hey Ken,

I too would like to know if this is a problem. My truck does the same thing intermittantly.

Thanks in advance,

Jeff

Sep 12, 2002 | 11:55 AM

CO4x4SD

Senior User

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 413

Likes: 0

From: Denver USA

A/C compressor noises

Good to hear I'm not the only one. I get a loud clunk sometimes when the A/C is fired up at idle, thought something hit me the first time. I'm betting it is one of those mysterious things that happens that can't be explained.

Sep 12, 2002 | 08:39 PM

Monsta

Sit. Stay.

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 18,308

Likes: 20

From: Washington State

A/C compressor noises

I would suggest that ya'll go grab yer "thickness guages". I measured my Air Gap and found it out of spec (too close). I still haven't had it fixed yet though...too many kids and no down time welcomed.

The Air Gap is the space between the body of the compressor and the pulley. The manual states that if it clunks when you turn it on, then that's the problem.

I am at my office and do not have my manual here but I will post the specs tonight.

____

What happens to your idle when you turn on your AC? Mine seems to drop a hundred or so. Every other car I've owned, the idle raises when the AC is turned on.

Sep 13, 2002 | 10:31 AM

Monsta

Sit. Stay.

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 18,308

Likes: 20

From: Washington State

A/C compressor noises

Air Gap.

With feeler gauges, measure three equal areas between the Clutch hub and AC clutch pulley.

The specs call for 0.35 - 0.75 (mm) or 0.014 - 0.030 (in).

If out of tolerance all the mechanic has to do is add or remove spacers depending on the measurement.

Sep 13, 2002 | 01:42 PM

ken04

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 2,245

Likes: 16

From: Vancouver Wash USA

A/C compressor noises

>I would suggest that ya'll go grab yer "thickness guages". I
>measured my Air Gap and found it out of spec (too close). I
>still haven't had it fixed yet though...too many kids
>and no down time welcomed.
>
>The Air Gap is the space between the body of the compressor
>and the pulley. The manual states that if it clunks when you
>turn it on, then that's the problem.
>
>I am at my office and do not have my manual here but I will
>post the specs tonight.
>
>____
>
>What happens to your idle when you turn on your AC? Mine
>seems to drop a hundred or so. Every other car I've owned,
>the idle raises when the AC is turned on.

Geez Monsta, you are just THE MAN !! How ever can I thank you enough ? And here I was looking in the penny bank to see if their were funds to pay for another compressor. Wow Ken, you made my day, apprecite ya bro, Ken