| Compressor is making a noise |
|
|
My compressor is making a noise - I've been told I need a new compressor They may very well be right but try this first - you may save a lot of money. Turn the AC off and start the car - does it make a noise now? If it does, get someone to switch on the AC whilst you listen carefully - does the noise (A)diminish, (B)stay the same or (C)worsen. If the noise doesn't start until the AC is actually switched on then you probably do need a new compressor although it is worth looking to see if the car has a belt tensioner idler pulley as that might just be the source of the noise or maybe allowing the belt to screech. Double check that the noise is not coming from the electric fans on the radiator which frequently start and stop when the AC is turned on and off. It is also worth saying that my twenty five year old Mercedes has a noisy compressor - I've added a little too much oil and I turn the radio up a little but the AC works fine and it doesn't leak. If you have (A) above, you could be lucky; the problem is almost certainly a failed compressor pulley bearing - a fairly common fault. As long as you act quickly you could repair this for the price of a new bearing (between £10 and £40), frequently without even having to recover the refrigerant. If you have (B) above you may also be lucky like in (A) but there is a risk that the main support bearing within the compressor has also been damaged - this would require a rebuilt compressor. If you have (C) you probably do need another compressor.
|
