m_aster_y

Good day...
I have an 02 Civic... so about a month ago I noticed a small 'whine' coming form under the hood on the driver side when I started the car, it was consistent and wouldn't go away. This 'whine' has moved up to a steady grinding/growl sound (almost like metal rubbing on metal), it starts when I start the car and grinds when I accelerate. Just a constant noise. The noise does stop when the fans kick in, but as soon as the dans stop the noise returns. If the A/C is turned on the noise ceases again, but only for a short time, then with teh A/C on it comes on again.

I thought maybe the alternator was going bad, so I replaced it, to no avail, the noise is still there.

any suggestions on what it may be? I was thinking that it may be the A/C compressor or the power steering pump... am I on the right path or far fetched?

Any help would be great.

Thank you,

civichxtreme2

Maybe the A/c Pulley hard to say, usually power steering only makes noise when your turning. Id check the ac pulley first

m_aster_y

Thank you, quick question now... If I remove the belt to the A/C should the noise go away?

civichxtreme2

If it has anything to do with that pulley then yes that should go away, but you wont have a/c

MarkM01

The a/c and alt. are on the same belt. p/s has it's own belt.

Since the a/c belt only wraps about 90* of the comp. pulley, it has to be really tight for it to not squeal. That's been my observation anyways.

It Wasn't Me

Get a belt for a Civic that didn't come standard with A/C. (DX model, for example) If the noise goes away, it's likely the clutch on the compressor, or the compressor itself.

If the noise is still present while using a belt that bypasses the A/C compressor, it's likely the alternator or possibly (but much less likely) the power steering pump.

Charlies Auto

Simple test first.
Start car. Noise? Turn A/C on(make sure A/C compressor is kicks in-look with your eye), then NO noise?
It is noise between A/C pulley and A/C clutch. The A/C compressor pulley is consist of 2 items. One is pulley(free turn when A/C is not using) and clutch with field coil. It is tends to be worn between pulley surface and clutch surface. When start car without A/C, it rubs together and makes metal to metal noise.
If A/C, still noise, need A/C compressor,.Inside bearing is damaged.
let me know update.

Lowman

check fluid level, when mine leaked i knew i was getting low when i heard a whining, but considering its been a month might not be.

m_aster_y

Thank you all for the suggestions... Tonight I will find out what the culprit is... and I will post back...

m_aster_y

okay, so the culprit, a faulty AC compressor.... the fix.... 1400$ um... no... I don't need A/C (Live in Canada) so tomorrow I will pull the power steering pump off, and string a new/shorter belt and simply bypass the AC. a 20$-25$ fix... in theory...

any suggestions?

It Wasn't Me

In addition to bypassing the compressor by installing a Civic DX belt, you might want to also remove the A/C compressor clutch relay.





Have you also disabled the automatic A/C turn-on? No sense in having it enabled if you're not even going to have a functioning A/C system.

To disable it, click the following link from the FAQ's...

civichxtreme2

Shop around different shops, $1400 seems a little high for an A/C comp replacement, or run without it and as mentioned above remove the relays