Compressor Question

[19Cutlass94]

Alright, well when I turn on either A/C or defrost, my compressor is fucking loud. Im taking louder than my engine. When Im driving with it on, it whines like a mofo. Do I need a new one, or is there some way I can put some pag oil in there that might help quiet it down? The defrost still works perfect and the A/C still blows cold air. Or is basically adding refridgerant the only terms of trying to lube everything? Because if Im thinking right I believe this is a sealed system so I take it I cant just put oil in the compressor? Correct me if im wrong.

[RJansen658]

Well, I can't hear the compressor so i'm not sure what noise you are getting, but if your A/C system still blows cold then it is unlikely you have lost any oil, or rather, enough oil to make the compressor loud. Are you sure it isn't the compressor clutch making noise? But to answer your question, yes you can just add oil, but you need either an A/C manifold and the proper adapters, or a PAG injector gun, which looks like a caulk gun almost. The oil is injected in thru the service port. When I worked at top value I always like to use the low side port, since it gets to the compressor quicker, although most PAG injector guns fit the high side port better (the ones I have used had a rubber nipple that you forced onto the serviceport).

 

When the engine is off and you reach down to the compressor pulley, you should be able to turn the compressor internals fairly easy with only slight resistance due to compression, and no strange noises from the clutch.

[GnatGoSplat]

I doubt it's an oil problem. You could always add more, but if you're losing oil, you're also losing refrigerant so your air would quit blowing cold.

 

I agree, it's going to be either the clutch or pulley bearing.

 

To check the pulley bearing, you'll have to undo the belt. Once it's off, spin the pulley by hand. It should be smooth and quiet. If it makes a loud racket and seems a little loose, you have a bad pulley bearing. Unfortunately, the compressor needs to be pulled to replace that.

 

[19Cutlass94]

Ok, Ill have to check that next time I get a chance. But as for the bearing, I can replace just that? And Im guessing the clutch Ill need a new compressor?

[RJansen658]

Its pretty much the same amout or work to repair either the clutch or the bearing... either way the clutch is coming off. You wil probably have to look for somewhere locally that rebuilds compressors... or just go to a junk yard.... or buy a rebuilt one from a parts store. Around here you can get a junkyard compressor for less than the cost of a rebuilt one.

[1990lumina]

My compressor has been making grinding and clicking sounds for 2 years now when using defrost in winter, or A/C in summer....I'm running mine until see totally grenades because I don't want to have to evacuate my A/C of it's precious R12 freon lol. I know the sound is embrassing as hell though.....pull up to the red light "CLICK!, GGGGRRRRRRRRR" lol...turn it Off and the wholecar quiets down

[GnatGoSplat]

Ok, Ill have to check that next time I get a chance. But as for the bearing, I can replace just that? And Im guessing the clutch Ill need a new compressor?

 

You can, but it's pressed into the pulley and special tools and presses are required to replace it.

When the bearing went bad on my car's compressor, it stalled the car a couple times and eventually seized. Cranking it back up did free it though. The friction made it sooooo hot that it also cooked the compressor shaft seal. Once that happens, the refrigerant goes bye-bye. All of these parts can be replaced with the proper tools, but it's generally cheaper and easier to just buy a rebuilt compressor. I considered buying all the special tools to fix the bearing and seal myself, but after calculating tool prices, I decided it was cheaper to drop $120 on a rebuilt one.

Anyway, I actually think the pulley bearing isn't all that likely since they make noise regardless of the A/C being on or not.

 

I actually had a noisy compressor in my 89 Cutlass. Anytime it came on, it was real loud and almost embarrassing. That was back in 1994! It was noisy for about 2yrs, then one day I noticed it wasn't so loud anymore. I never replaced it, and it's been fine ever since. Sometimes things just fix themselves.

 

[THe_DeTAiL3R]

My compressor was making an awful metal grinding noise (with the A/C off.. cause it does'nt work lol) so I took it to garage and they adjusted the clutch for $40. The compressor does work cause I added refridgerant in it last year and it worked for 1/2hr (it leaked out).

[TheEddie]

My compressor was making an awful metal grinding noise (with the A/C off.. cause it does'nt work lol) so I took it to garage and they adjusted the clutch for $40. The compressor does work cause I added refridgerant in it last year and it worked for 1/2hr (it leaked out).

 

sounds like my 96 gp, same color combo also (just the 5spokes)

 

charged it, worked great all the way home (basically across the street,) left to go grab something from the store, hot as hell..DAMNIT!

[19Cutlass94]

Well then basically since its a new compressor Ill have to buy, I guess Ill just deal with it until something goes amiss. I cant afford the $140 it is for a reman.