Whining / whirling / grindy noise
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Whining / whirling / grindy noise
No matter what the engine is doing I hear a whirl / grind-like noise from the engine area. It seems to be from the belt area. Possible bearing gone bad? How could I narrow things down? My 3.2 has 200K so it could be damn near anything. 
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,452
Likes: 90
From: New Orleans, LA
Like you said, it could be anything so try to pinpoint where the noise is coming from. It could be you idle pulley, compressor pulley, or steering pump. It could also be the alternator too.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 128
Most likely the idler. It is easy to remove the idler and spin by hand. Any roughness/noise would indicate replacement.
Easy on 2.5TL, not so easy on 3.2TL I'm thinking due to serpentine belt. Usually need 3-hands to remove/install the serpentine belt.
good luck
Easy on 2.5TL, not so easy on 3.2TL I'm thinking due to serpentine belt. Usually need 3-hands to remove/install the serpentine belt.
good luck
Radical Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 797
Likes: 16
From: Roseburg, Oregon
Mine was the a/c idler pulley. The bearing can easily be pressed in and out, and a new bearing should be less than $10. I believe the bearing is a "203ff"
Last edited by 9632tl; Apr 1, 2011 at 10:29 AM. Reason: spelling
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Well since my AC doesnt work ( 
) I cut the belt to the AC and the noise went away!!!
You guys were RIGHT! But now Im wondering how to fix the AC.
There is a AC idler pulley? Or is that the clutch? Im guessing there is both the pulley and the clutch. But How do I know if its the clutch or the whole compressor?
) I cut the belt to the AC and the noise went away!!! You guys were RIGHT! But now Im wondering how to fix the AC.
There is a AC idler pulley? Or is that the clutch? Im guessing there is both the pulley and the clutch. But How do I know if its the clutch or the whole compressor?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 128
I forgot I had an electronic 3.2TL manual. I looked and it does have an idler.
The the idler may be frozen. Try turning by hand. Idler is replaced by releasing center nut and bolt. Access may be tricky.
If idler turns easily, try turning the compressor clutch plate (inner portion) by hand. It should rotate easily w/ a slight resistance at compression pts (piston compressor). If its hard to turn, the compressor has frozen (bad news). Replacing may not be enough; cleaning is also required for condensor, hoses, evaporator (yikes).
good luck
The the idler may be frozen. Try turning by hand. Idler is replaced by releasing center nut and bolt. Access may be tricky.
If idler turns easily, try turning the compressor clutch plate (inner portion) by hand. It should rotate easily w/ a slight resistance at compression pts (piston compressor). If its hard to turn, the compressor has frozen (bad news). Replacing may not be enough; cleaning is also required for condensor, hoses, evaporator (yikes).
good luck
Radical Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 797
Likes: 16
From: Roseburg, Oregon
I JUST replaced my compressor, clutch, and drier. Parts came to $470, and having the system re-filled was $60. I bought the last known 96-98 3.2 a/c drier in the united states. This was yesterday.
Mine was making an awful noise at idle, and it turns out the clutch hub ripped, and was just grinding.
Mine was making an awful noise at idle, and it turns out the clutch hub ripped, and was just grinding.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
I JUST replaced my compressor, clutch, and drier. Parts came to $470, and having the system re-filled was $60. I bought the last known 96-98 3.2 a/c drier in the united states. This was yesterday.
Mine was making an awful noise at idle, and it turns out the clutch hub ripped, and was just grinding.
Mine was making an awful noise at idle, and it turns out the clutch hub ripped, and was just grinding.
Radical Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 797
Likes: 16
From: Roseburg, Oregon
The clutch alone was $200, or 350 for a re-man compressor with clutch.
To remove the clutch, the compresser has to come out of the car. My comressor had 190,000 miles on it, I didn't trust it any more.
The drier "should" be replaced any time the a/c comes apart. They wear out eventually.
I use the a/c all year long, and I just don't want to worry about it.
To remove the clutch, the compresser has to come out of the car. My comressor had 190,000 miles on it, I didn't trust it any more.
The drier "should" be replaced any time the a/c comes apart. They wear out eventually.
I use the a/c all year long, and I just don't want to worry about it.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Well I saw a compressor with the clutch on Ebay for around $100 w/ 6 mo. warranty. Hmmmmm..... Is there a write up / DIY on here somewhere on replacement? I cant WAIT to get this thing 100% operational 
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 128
Check autoacforum.com for instructions on charging. Ackits.com is a good parts source, as is ebay as you've seen. A good used compressor can usually be found locally w/ car-part.com. Look carefully at shaft seal area for signs of leakage, although the shaft seal can be replaced (ackits.com has them).
You may be able to save your compressor if the clutch is only problem. A new bearing can be installed if that's the problem.
good luck
You may be able to save your compressor if the clutch is only problem. A new bearing can be installed if that's the problem.
good luck
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Since my mailbox can only accept ONE piece of mail I guess Ill just write you here......
Hey I saw you changed out the bearing. Dude Im really confused as to what to do now.
Did you also change the clutch? Where did ya get the parts and for how much? And was the work fairly simple to do? I dont want to get a whole compressor because that is some huge money and lots of labor! As you can see from my thread the thing was making a lot of noise AND the AC didnt even work.
What would YOU do???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Since my mailbox can only accept ONE piece of mail I guess Ill just write you here......
Hey I saw you changed out the bearing. Dude Im really confused as to what to do now. Did you also change the clutch? Where did ya get the parts and for how much? And was the work fairly simple to do? I dont want to get a whole compressor because that is some huge money and lots of labor!
As you can see from my thread the thing was making a lot of noise AND the AC didnt even work.
What would YOU do???
Hey I saw you changed out the bearing. Dude Im really confused as to what to do now.
Did you also change the clutch? Where did ya get the parts and for how much? And was the work fairly simple to do? I dont want to get a whole compressor because that is some huge money and lots of labor! As you can see from my thread the thing was making a lot of noise AND the AC didnt even work.
What would YOU do???
I bought a whole used compressor that I found online for $65. Since I knew that my problem was the bearing, I made extra sure that the bearing on the used compressor was good. In order for me to buy it, I made a deal with them to replace the bearing on the used compressor, and they did...pressed on a brand new bearing before shipping it off to me. When I received it, I took apart the bearing/pulley assembly on the used compressor and replaced it with the bad one on my car. I was able to do everything without having to remove the compressor from the car, but it was a tight tight space. This was on a 2.5TL, not sure if there's room to do it without removing the compressor on the 3.2TL. My compressor was still working prior to me changing out the bearing. All it did was made grinding, whining noises.
Since you cut the belt to your compressor already, I would check to see if the compressor's pulley feels loose or making any noises when turning it. Since you said that it never did work when you got it, I would get a professional to look at the system to see if there are any other problems with the system. Get back with me if you need to know anything else!
Since you cut the belt to your compressor already, I would check to see if the compressor's pulley feels loose or making any noises when turning it. Since you said that it never did work when you got it, I would get a professional to look at the system to see if there are any other problems with the system. Get back with me if you need to know anything else!
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