As soon as I start my car and it idles the a/c makes this sort of grinding sound and when I turn it on it makes it louder? I know it might be shot. How much would a new one be and has anyone else had this problem? HELP please. Thanx in advance

 

Sounds like the bearings that the compressor's clutch rides on is shot. I hear you can replace just the clutch without opening up the refrigerant lines, but it needs a special tool.

------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

But it sounds like it is coming from the big black compressor. the a/c works fine it just makes a horrible sound. I cant stand it.

 

You said as soon as you start the car and it idles, you get a weird noise from the a/c. Then you said the noise gets louder when you turn the a/c on. What else could it be if it's not the clutch?

Damn, what the heck! Nobody's believing me lately, eh?

------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

[This message has been edited by TomP (edited March 07, 2001).]

 

Tom is one smart guy! 99.5% time is correct, too!
And yes, he's correct, again.
If you do not have that tool, you need take out AC Freon to replace the AC compressor.
These compressors do wear out.

------------------
Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

Sorry TomP its not that I dont believe u man. I do. I also appreciate the help man. If I were to get a new one how much am I looking at? an arm, a leg, and a favorite relative? Again TomP thanx for the help.

 

Deimos,
The part is not the cost.
The cost is removing & replacing the freon.
In LA, I'm being charge $100 to remove freon from my S-10 Blazer & put it back into my Firebird.
Open up business yellow pages, look for AC compressor rebuilders. Phone around, can cost $$, tho.
Thanks for the tip, I'll remove this good compressor from my S-10 Blazer, for my Firebird.

------------------
Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

No problem, Deimos; heck, I could be wrong, but with this post & the map sensor post, I was feeling ignored

Anyway there used to be a website, epaonline.com, where you could get certified to handle R12 freon online! Then as long as you bought the right tools (vacuum pump, canisters, fittings, etc), you could work on a/c systems and buy freon legally! Last I checked, they shut down, dammit...

I seem to remember a post in the Tech Section about this- maybe if you search for Compressor Clutch in the tech area, you'd find the post. I think Vader was involved with it, and mentioned the tool needed.


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

What i the "special tool" and where can I find one? From the sound of it I've got the same problem.

 

I had a gringing noie made mine go away hehe it calld drench it with WD-40 every day for 2 weeks the noise has yet to come back. Just have fun when it sprays al over your face

 

an easier thing to do is convert the system to 134a if you replace the compressor. I am converting mine now that I got a weird shock that blew a pin hole into the condessor...And yes the compressor did make a little noise but again WD40 works wonders...