misha

AC was working fine, well it recently got warm enough for me to use it. I used it couple of times this season.

After week or two of using it i noticed it no longer blowing cold and weird noises appeared:

1. AC doesn't come on when i hit the switch.
2. The clutch doesnt seem to engage
3. Makes a weird noise every 15-20 seconds lasting for around 10 seconds(see video)

After researching im thinking its the clutch. I know that if its low on freon the clutch wont engage, but why would it make such noise at idle?

Please help


http://www.flickr.com/photos/mishafrolov/8854505485/

misha

bump

misha

Anyone? Im trying to figure out if the noise sounds like the clutch is gone? Im gonna slip the belt off and see if it goes away, but before i do that may be someone can recognize the noise.

Thanks

nealnanoHX

Ok 1 the vid sucks cant see or hear anything. 2 if your compressor is making noise and/or not coming on then in this case it sounds like the either the clutch failed or the compressor blew up. In either case you need to replace your ac kit (compressor, dryer, expansion valve and flush the condenser out.

misha

Whats the way to tell if the compressor blew up?

If its only the clutch, why would i replace Compressor + dryer + expansion valve?

axis11

Verify whether the compressor is turning or not(clutch engaging). If it does turn, hook up a gauge and note down your readings, high and low. If low on refrigerant, top it up. If it doesnt turn, troubleshoot the circuit. Use a sthetoscope to pinpoint where the noise is coming from. If you do have a bad clutch, replacing the whole compressor will be a more practical approach ,unless you have another clutch laying around and you will do all the work.

nealnanoHX

Because replacing the clutch is not something everyone can do and to have a warranty on your new compressor all parts companies require you to do the whole AC kit, no warranty with just a compressor. Unless you are totally clueless then you can just tell when a compressor blew up, metal in the AC oil, lots of noise coming from the compressor. To check the clutch turn it by hand with the can not running of coarse. If it does not turn freely or binds up then the clutch is bad. You can supply the clutch with 12 volts and it should click if nothing happens then the clutch is bad or the electrical side of it is bad. But with that noise that I could hear in the vid my guess is you need to replace.