Noisy AC Compressor

[mendozart]

I noticed some rattling when the AC was turned on. Popped the hood, and can see the pressure plate and rotor are wobbling, which is causing the rattling. Tomorrow I'm going to pop the drive belt off and take a look. Is there anything I need to look out for? I've already priced some compressors, but if it's easily fixable, I would love to go that route. Thanks for any info.

 

[specialk396]

Sounds like a bad A/C compressor clutch. If the you haven't run it too long on the bad clutch your compressor should be fine. You can replace the clutch assembly without even evacuating and recharging the system.

 

[TX Cruiser]

If your lucky, the bolt is loose, but it's not likely. Most likely the rubber center damper on your clutch is shot. Buy a new clutch assembly, they're not very expensive.

The compressor had to have gotten pretty hot. Could be that it was past time to lose a shim to close the air gap.

One thing to watch out for is the nose of the compressor. As mentioned above, if it has been this way for awhile, the groove for the snap ring could have been compromised, rendering the nose of the compressor worthless. That typically only happens when the bearing goes bad though.

 

[mendozart]

One thing to watch out for is the nose of the compressor. As mentioned above, if it has been this way for awhile, the groove for the snap ring could have been compromised, rendering the nose of the compressor worthless. That typically only happens when the bearing goes bad though.

Hey TX,
I think that's what happened. As I started to dissassemble, I noticed a piece of the first snap ring fell out. There was only half of the ring left. I enclosed a couple pics, but I didn't get a good shot of the nose. The last pic is from member "hsiaoer's" thread, and mine looks like his. I guess I'm going to replace the whole compressor. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[mendozart]

Okay, I have another question. Can I evacuate the system without being able to turn on the compressor? As you can see, my compressor is now rendered useless. Thanks.

 

[Sanchez]

Yes you can, I took mine to the shop and they did it without turning on my truck.

-Juan

 

[mendozart]

Yes you can, I took mine to the shop and they did it without turning on my truck.

-Juan

Cool, thanks Juan.

 

[mendozart]

Okay, one last question. After evacuating the system, do you have to replace parts and immediately recharge the system?

 

[1972FJ55]

Okay, one last question. After evacuating the system, do you have to replace parts and immediately recharge the system?

Once the refrigerant is removed from the system, you have unlimited time to replace the parts. If you're going to have it apart for any length of time, I'd cap off the open fittings/hoses to keep any debris from getting into the system. When you replace the parts, put the drier on last as you don't want it exposed to open air for long.

 

[mendozart]

Once the refrigerant is removed from the system, you have unlimited time to replace the parts. If you're going to have it apart for any length of time, I'd cap off the open fittings/hoses to keep any debris from getting into the system. When you replace the parts, put the drier on last as you don't want it exposed to open air for long.

Thanks for the info Rex.

 

[mendozart]

So, I got the new compressor and drier in. That drier was a little bit of a pain. I started up the LC and noticed the idle was a litle low, took for a drive, then noticed no oil pressure, WTF. Went back and noticed that I had pulled the oil pressure connector off. It's the same wire harness that goes to the AC compressor, WHEW. All is good. Tomorrow I'm going to get the system charged up.

 

[mendozart]

Had Mario at Top Line Cruisers charge up my AC system today, the LC is officially ready for Summer.

 

[Doc McCoy]

Just to bring this thread back from the dead …

Are you kids just using the OEM parts for this? Just order from Toyota for the clutch and/or the compressor or is there somewhere better to get them from?