Air con pump monaro

[mfp4073]

A couple of weeks ago my air con compressor started to squeal when it was switched on. As soon as I switched it off it was quiet again.
The air con still blows cold air inside the car and appears to be working properly apart from the noise.
I diligently set to work and changed the following,
the belt,
both pulleys,
the tensioner.
All the parts were brand new and good quality items from Rock Auto.
I then switched the AC back on and it still made that horrible noise.
In desperation I changed the compressor clutch and guess what …it still squeals.
I checked the compressor pulley as best as I could and it felt fine, it wasn’t loose or making any unusual noises when I spun it around without the belt on.
The compressor itself was replaced about three years ago and has covered about 3000 miles or so.
I’m now thinking it must be a bearing either in the pulley that squeals under load or the compressor is on its way out.
The compressor in question is an AC Delco V7 unit made in Korea.
Any one had a similar issue or any theories as to the problem.

Thanks.

[Lincsls1]

Hi John. I don't really have anything sensible to suggest. But you never know!....

Have you tried using a long screwdriver or similar against the various components to see if you can pin point the source?
Otherwise, what a bit a bit of WD40 or similar on each of the components (one at a time of course) to see if something suddenly goes quiet?
Do you remember paying attention to the compressor when you changed the your parts? How did the wheel feel when spun?
How much use is the car getting? If not a lot, maybe it just needs some mileage cycling the AC on and off frequently.
I had a noise from my AC last year, but mine turned out to be from the clutch on the compressor, and it just needed using!
My noise occurred when the AC was off though, all silent when on.

[anyoldcardave]

mfp4073 said:

A couple of weeks ago my air con compressor started to squeal when it was switched on. As soon as I switched it off it was quiet again.
The air con still blows cold air inside the car and appears to be working properly apart from the noise.
I diligently set to work and changed the following,
the belt,
both pulleys,
the tensioner.
All the parts were brand new and good quality items from Rock Auto.
I then switched the AC back on and it still made that horrible noise.
In desperation I changed the compressor clutch and guess what …it still squeals.
I checked the compressor pulley as best as I could and it felt fine, it wasn’t loose or making any unusual noises when I spun it around without the belt on.
The compressor itself was replaced about three years ago and has covered about 3000 miles or so.
I’m now thinking it must be a bearing either in the pulley that squeals under load or the compressor is on its way out.
The compressor in question is an AC Delco V7 unit made in Korea.
Any one had a similar issue or any theories as to the problem.

Thanks.

As already suggested, I had a very low miles car with this problem, probably lack of use, I used a silicon lube spray, not wd40, sprayed as much as I could until it stopped, it stayed stopped.

Tbf I would have done that first before guessing at faulty parts, I suppose there are bearings inside the unit that could be running dry. ?

[mfp4073]

Since fitting all the new parts I have sprayed the various components with a fine mist of water just to see if there was any change in the noise but it made no difference.
I tried my trusty old mechanics stethoscope on various components ( a bit nerve wracking ) and the noise is definitely coming from the front of the compressor, which is why I changed the actual clutch.
I’m planning a 200+ mile trip quite soon so if I’m brave enough I’ll use the AC just on the off chance the lack of use may be the problem.
Obviously if I hear a loud bang and remains of the compressor blast a hole in the bonnet I can be reasonably sure it was a mechanical issue after all

[anyoldcardave]

mfp4073 said:

Since fitting all the new parts I have sprayed the various components with a fine mist of water just to see if there was any change in the noise but it made no difference.
I tried my trusty old mechanics stethoscope on various components ( a bit nerve wracking ) and the noise is definitely coming from the front of the compressor, which is why I changed the actual clutch.
I’m planning a 200+ mile trip quite soon so if I’m brave enough I’ll use the AC just on the off chance the lack of use may be the problem.
Obviously if I hear a loud bang and remains of the compressor blast a hole in the bonnet I can be reasonably sure it was a mechanical issue after all

It has to be a bearing inside the pump, same as any spinning accessorie, it needs at least one. Probably two.

[mfp4073]

I hope it’s not the pump, I’m praying it’s the bearing in the pulley.
Anyway the car is booked into AAS in October for a check over, that's assuming I can’t fix it in the meantime.
If it is the compressor I might have yet another melt down!

[anyoldcardave]

mfp4073 said:

I hope it’s not the pump, I’m praying it’s the bearing in the pulley.
Anyway the car is booked into AAS in October for a check over, that's assuming I can’t fix it in the meantime.
If it is the compressor I might have yet another melt down!

33 degrees Monday, have the meltdown then, few will notice

[mfp4073]

anyoldcardave said:

33 degrees Monday, have the meltdown then, few will notice

[vxr2010]

My compressor used to make funny noises , I rubbed some grease into the ac clutch which solved it , it's now decided to pack up but it is an 04 car , I removed it yesterday and sending it off to compressor tech Ltd , so fingers crossed , it's fiddly to remove water pump coolant pipes need to come off , as above yours sounds more like an internal bearing , the company quote 300 I expect plus vat for a repair , about a week turn around , I looked on rock auto no spares listed for the monaro / Pontiac gto ac system , still listing vxr8 parts

[mfp4073]

vxr2010 said:

My compressor used to make funny noises , I rubbed some grease into the ac clutch which solved it , it's now decided to pack up but it is an 04 car , I removed it yesterday and sending it off to compressor tech Ltd , so fingers crossed , it's fiddly to remove water pump coolant pipes need to come off , as above yours sounds more like an internal bearing , the company quote 300 I expect plus vat for a repair , about a week turn around , I looked on rock auto no spares listed for the monaro / Pontiac gto ac system , still listing vxr8 parts

I noticed that Rock Auto didn’t stock any air con compressors, which is a bit strange, I would have thought that type of compressor would be fitted to a number of GM vehicles.
Mind you I’ll be a bit p###ed off if it is an internal pump failure as it’s effectively a new compressor anyway……
We shall see when it goes to AAS.

[vxr2010]

It could just be a bearing , the place mines gone to , not had to use them before , say they can fix most things , I was also surprised with no stock on ROCKAUTO to , it's not that it's an unusual car in the states , I expect the compressor is used on a number of other cars too

[fred bloggs]

I cured all A/C problems on my car. I just removed it all. Windows still open and if it’s over 30c I just don’t drive it.

However, The compressor is available from Australia.

[vxr2010]

So the ac compressor is back , it looks like a new unit , the clutch was rusty so it was sand blasted and re painted , I need to re gas it , but total cost including re furb and shipping back to me was 340£