GTP, Grinding noise and now burning smell

[azmattaz06]

So for the last few days my car has been making this grinding noise under the hood near the belt area, and I noticed a quiet down a little bit when I turn the AC on. The first I thought AC compressor bearing or maybe the alternator.. What do you guys think

[dsmuts]

Compressor. Fix it before it locks up

[SnowDrift]

I'm not so sure I agree it would be the compressor. It would become louder with the A/C on and probably not noticeable with it off if the pump was coming apart.

It is really difficult to diagnose noises online, but I would start by taking your belt(s) off and spinning each pulley by hand to see if you can duplicate the noise. It won't sound exactly the same since you're not going to be able to spin anything nearly as fast as the idling engine, but it might give you a good idea.

[dsmuts]

Mom and dad's was loud with ac off and quiet with it on. Compressor locked up a few months later

[kamuletoe]

Hey, just got mine out of the shop on friday for this same reason. I first heard a little bit of grinding and rattling. Thought it was the supercharger coupling going out. Mine only has 100k on it and it's a 2000. My AC also went out end of last year, which I thought was due to low freon. Nope, bad AC compressor. Get it fixed asap as these guys aren't kidding. Mine seized up and started to burn the belt. I had it towed in, and they told me 700 bucks to replace the compressor (with labor/tow/other crap) or 200 with an AC delete. I went the cheaper route which is just to remove the compressor and there's some adapter that has a pulley on it which was only like 60-70. If you can do it yourself. I also didn't know what was wrong with mine so I paid someone to do it for me. Good luck dude! Also, sorry about the bad luck lol!

[azmattaz06]

Well I figured it out, it's the compressor clutch, only issue is having is installing the new one, it's giving me problems, I have the removal/install kit from AZ, can anyone help? Idk how that install tool works. Thanks

[02NavyBlue]

This is a really good video, it;s for replacing the bearing but you will learn what you need to know.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsacpKR_sA8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OBbW0ySi4U

Also I have the same issue, noise with the A/C off but it stopped with the A/C on. Found out today it's the clutch as well, not the bearing. The clutch isn't retracting like it should be. No play or noise in the pulley.

[azmattaz06]

I seen that video I actually watched it while working on my car, only problem is the tools are
A bit different and I was confused

[02NavyBlue]

Well the tools he used were the ones I use at work, and also look to be the same as the cheap astro pneumatic kit on amazon. It's the right tool

[azmattaz06]

One question, yesterday I got frustrated and tried banging the clutch on.. After a whole I noticed a tad bit of oil around that area.. Did I completely ruin the compressor?

[SnowDrift]

Good call, guys. I'd have not thought of this one.

Is this an inherent design flaw in these compressors?

azmattaz06, how did you diagnose?

[SnowDrift]

<<azmattaz06, how did you diagnose? >>

[02NavyBlue]

The bearing is common to go after 100k, clutches don't seem to be as common but still do. At work we always get a compressor clutch kit from 4 seasons that comes with everything for about $100. Just have to set the gap.

He probably saw what I saw on mine, the clutch doesn't retract when the clutch is de-energized, it just lightly rubs.