a/c help

[red99pony]

my 99 mustang gt a/c compressor seems to be squealing/squeaking. it isn't a continuous sound like it locked up just a squeak squeak. a/c itself works great. i guess my ac clutch is going out. i tried adding a couple ounces of oil to the system but it didn't do much. is there anything else i can do to try and quiet it down, or lubricate it. i really don't want to replace it right now. has anyone ever just changed the ac clutch? thanks

[chrisheltra]

How did you add a few ounces of oil without discharging the system?

[red99pony]

pressurized oil into low pressure side of system

[chrisheltra]

Gotcha just checking. I had a similar problem that fried my pump and almost caught my truck on fire.

[red99pony]

ahh man don't say that out loud! lol i don't need a fire. i think what happenend to it is it sat in the engine bay for over a year while i had the engine out. i would suspect that it wasn't any good for the clutch and pullies. i am going to try and drive it a little and see if the oil will get where it needs to go but i am doubting it. i was thinking of just chaning the ac clutch so i wouldn't have to drain the whole system, but i would hate to change the clutch and the squeaking still be there.

[clubracergt1]

Haven't really heard of anything like that happening before-not that it isn't possible, though. I would suggest taking the belt off and spinning the compressor by hand. Both with the clutch disengaged and by jumping the clutch relay to engage it. I am not 100% on this, but I would think you should still be able to spin the compressor by hand. See if the noise is still there, or if you feel some unusual rubbing when turning the pulley. Just a thought.

[red99pony]

i think i will do that this weekend, however i am sure it is the ac making the noise.

[chrisheltra]

Not 100% this is the correct part number for your application.

ACDELCO Part # 154786 More Info {#88918743}
CLUTCH,A/C [Wholesaler Closeout -- 30 Day Warranty]
http://info.rockauto.com/getimage/getimage.php?imagekey=160956&imageurl=http%3A//images.wrenchead.com/smartpages/partinfo_resize/DUS/15-4786.jpg
$57.99

New compressors look to be $165-$190

Rockauto.com

[BAD BOB]

you would basically figure out if it does it while the a/c clutch is engaged or disengaged. if it does it with the a/c off and not on, then it may be the clutch hub bearing, if it does it only when the a/c is on and clutch is engaged then it may be something in the compressor. they usually use 2 separate bearings, one in the a/c compressor for then the whole thing is turning and one that just allows the outer pulley to turn when the a/c is off. if it does it both on and off then it may be your tensioner pulley, idler pulley or maybe a alternator bearing. Like shaun said you can also take the belt off and turn each pulley to listen for the noise

[red99pony]

you would basically figure out if it does it while the a/c clutch is engaged or disengaged. if it does it with the a/c off and not on, then it may be the clutch hub bearing, if it does it only when the a/c is on and clutch is engaged then it may be something in the compressor. they usually use 2 separate bearings, one in the a/c compressor for then the whole thing is turning and one that just allows the outer pulley to turn when the a/c is off. if it does it both on and off then it may be your tensioner pulley, idler pulley or maybe a alternator bearing. Like shaun said you can also take the belt off and turn each pulley to listen for the noise


it makes the noise with the ac on or off. the alternator is on the drivers side and the sound is from the passenger side. the tensioner is brand new no more than 300 miles on it. used belt dressing on the belt no change. i went under the car and listenend close to the ac and it sure sounds like it comes from it. the noise also goes up and down depending on what the ac does, you can watch it on the gauge. if the pressure goes up so does the noise. pressure goes down a little it shuts up. ac is always cold. makes me pretty sure it is the clutch but i will check saturday with my hand.

[slowgreen99]

dam, and I just sold a compressor for your car for $50...

[BAD BOB]

i really really hate belt dressing. every time i use it it always makes things worse. at the shop we dont even try it anymore we just put a new belt on the car. clean the pulleys with a wire brush and brake cleaner and put a new belt on.

[slowgreen99]

i really really hate belt dressing. every time i use it it always makes things worse. at the shop we dont even try it anymore we just put a new belt on the car. clean the pulleys with a wire brush and brake cleaner and put a new belt on.

What shop is this work performed at Bob?

[LXtasy]

What shop is this work performed at Bob?

Jiffy Lube

[clubracergt1]

I thought it was Robert's Automotive

[Illusions]

walmart auto center

[red99pony]

i really really hate belt dressing. every time i use it it always makes things worse. at the shop we dont even try it anymore we just put a new belt on the car. clean the pulleys with a wire brush and brake cleaner and put a new belt on.

i know i said belt dressing but i only use soapy water and spray it on the belt. if it is the belt it will quiet down for a few seconds. may not be text book but it has worked well for me in the past.

[LXtasy]

wont the belt still slip with soapy water?

[red99pony]

yes and become quiet, i have 2 serpentine belts and 1 it helps me figure out which system is squeaking and in this case the belt didn't become quiet so it must be inside the clutch itself. it won't slip enough to quit spinning.

[red99pony]

well a/c feels real good. no grinding squeaking or anything by hand. spins freely. the tensioner is in the same area so i guess maybe i got a bad one. i just got it a few hundred miles ago but i guess that doesn't really matter anymore. i found a video on youtube that sounds like mine. his does it a little more but it is the same sound.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx9xvHk6L_E

[05Saleen]

I had the same noise in my Lightning and it was a bearing in one of the idler pulley's.

[red99pony]

just an update: ended up being a header gasket. the header gasket was a metal gasket covererd with carbon fiber, sort of had the feel of felt. the carbor fiber split and was acting like a reed of an instrument. never heard a header sound like a pulley before. thanks to gearld (gearmesh) for finding it. i replaced the gasket with an aluminum one this weekend and no more squeak.

[05Saleen]

just an update: ended up being a header gasket. the header gasket was a metal gasket covererd with carbon fiber, sort of had the feel of felt. the carbor fiber split and was acting like a reed of an instrument. never heard a header sound like a pulley before. thanks to gearld (gearmesh) for finding it. i replaced the gasket with an aluminum one this weekend and no more squeak.

:applaud: Way to go Gerald....:bigthumb:

[gearmesh, inc.]

Yeah, that noise was a SOB to find. No one ever expects a squeak to be an exhaust leak.

Add one more weird one to the memory bank!