A/C noise, bad bearing?

[Ducati Scotty]

My 97 CX has about 205,000 miles. I had the A/C installed at 80,000 so it's got about 125,000 on it. Lately I hear the roaring of a bad bearing every time I turn on the A/C. When it's off, no noise. It's louder at low engine speeds but always there.

I'm guessing it's either the tensioner pulley or A/C clutch bearning. How can I tell which it is? Could it be something else? If it's the A/C clutch bearing is there a tutorial about how to replace it without removing the compressor? BTW, the clutch seems fine, no noise other than the bearing growl.

Thanks,
Scott

 

[TokyoSkies]

Mine is doing the same thing. Do you notice your A/C blowing weaker on some days (particularly hotter days)? If so, as in my case, it's either the a/c compressor clutch, or a pulley bearing (as you stated). I can't find tutorials on replacing it, but people say it's only three bolts to remove the clutch, and the compressor does not need to be removed from the car.

 

[Ducati Scotty]

Mine works fine, even on hot days, just makes a whole lot of noise.

I've seen the same references to it being a straightforward process and possible with the compressor in place, but I've also seen the factory manual page posted with both a puller to remove the pulley wheel and a special press tool to put it back on. I don't have a power steering pump to move but it hardly seems like I'll be able to get those tools in the few inches between the compressor and fender.

Scott

 

[CO671]

Does it sound something like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21E-XzxJXo4

 

[Ducati Scotty]

No, that sounds more high pitched, like a noisy alternator running. Mine is more of a low pitched roar, like a bad wheel bearing if you know what that sounds like.

Scott

 

[Ducati Scotty]

I used a stethoscope to listen to the idler pulley and the compressor. I'm pretty sure it's the compressor.

There's no way there's enough room to fit a puller or press down in there but it looks pretty easy to dismount the compressor and work on it without needing to drain the refrigerant. I may just take it to my mechanic and have him deal with it, more trouble tha I care to deal with right now.

Scott

 

[Ducati Scotty]

I took off the belt and the tensioner pulley. The compressor spins freely. It feels a bit loose and the air gap looks bigger than it should but the bearing feels ok. The tensioner pulley bearing is definitely bad. It's mild but it will bind a bit if you spin it fast. I'll replace that since it's easier and I need to anyway. Maybe I won't need to do the compressor. We'll see.

Scott

 

[Ducati Scotty]

I replaced the idler pulley and it's still noisy. Guess they were both bad. Time to order a clutch kit.

Scott

 

[IhaveaSTD.hb]

if that doesnt help get the compressor rebuilt or buy a rebuilt one.

 

[Ducati Scotty]

I got the clutch kit and borrowed a couple of tools from AutoZone. I replaced the pulley/bearing and clutch. My snap ring pliers didn't reach deep enough to get the coil out so I left the original. It works fine now and the noise is gone.

Scott