Hello fello ziners. SO my 2003 tl has made some awkward noises for a while when i turn on the A/C. It starts the noise and eventually goes away, then starts all over again.Its not the a/c itself per say. I have icy cold air, and my car dsnt overheat or anything. The noise can be described as a slight screeching noise. But its not the timing belt. I was actually told it could be the bearings. But which ones? wheel or hub? and if this info is accurate, what are good brands or good places to buy these bearings? Help! Thank you

 

Check the AC Compressor's drive belt for wear and correct tension.
Perhaps the clutch pulley assembly is the source of the noises that you're hearing ?

 

hmm. i wouldnt know about tht tbh. would that be easy to check?

 

Yeah, just pop the hood and closely listen to the AC compressor belt and pulley while someone else operates the AC controls from inside the car. Should be rather easy to hear where the source of the noise is coming from.

 

well it honestly sounds like its from the under the hood by the passenger side kinda. lol. im really bad at tht kinda stuff

 

Had the same issue before, your AC clutch is about to fail soon! Do not wait till it self destruct or disintigrate it will destroy your entire AC System! either rebuild the clutch or buy new AC compressor. Good luck!

 

Yeah, as TLZINE99 previously mentioned......the car is talking to ya and telling ya that it's ailing. If you're not good at this stuff......get some help, otherwise ya may be left sweating this summer in your car when it gets really hot out.

 

fuuuck. -_- will it do damage if i dont put the a/c? because the car makes a similar, less noisy kinda sound when the air is off. And are parts for this cheap or will i have to rob a bank? lol

 

JESUS Talk about exaggerating...













To OP:
Start with the vary basic a lot of noises connected to the A/C System starts with the Tensioner Bearing and Tensioner Itself. If you could use something like stethoscope to pin point the noise a good DIY is taking a short hose and listen carefully so you can diagnose the issue. If you are worrying about the A/C Clutch there are signs of warnings before the clutch goes south so don't worry 99% of the Times is the Tensioner/Bearing.

 

Spray some WD40 on the belt's tensioner......if the noise stops, then the tensioner's bearing is worn.

 

thanks guys! in all honesty my tl has been very good with me. has 155 k miles on it and it is still running strong. So is it easy to access or view this tensioner?

 

Open Hood > Locate your alternator > Follow the Top Belt > You will see a little ARM with a Roller in it = Tensioner.. Its easy to access and to spot on.

 

will do, ill check it out today! so if that is the problem, the noise would be coming from there then?

 

negative. Tensioner bearing rarely fail before the AC clutch.

 

^ I don't know if being Troll or Talking serious...


I have 210,000miles on my OEM A/C Clutch by your Reasoning I should have replaced my Clutch 3x times by now..

 

I have had both the tensioner and a/c clutch go on V6's....so could be either. I have not heard of the inside of the a/c compressors blowing apart so I don't think you will ruin the system. It would be best to have a tech listen with a stethoscope to determine where the noise is from.

 

Yeah, considering the age and miles of our TL's, the basic stuff like belts and tensioners do wear out over time. Chances are that everything's still original and needs inspected for wear. The AC drive belt and tensioner will cost about $100 to replace. It's an easy "DIY".

 

well, i just replaced my tensioner pulley last week, and this week i noticed that my pulley is once again scratched and the noise is back. -_- so i was told it might be the bearing for the tensioner pulley?

 

The bearing should have been new when you replaced the pulley.

 

Are ya certain where the noise is originating from ?
Spray some WD40 on the tensioner and see if the noise quits. If so, it's bad.
If not, perhaps the AC compressor pulley is worn ? Try cycling the AC on & off.

 

It seems it was just that my engine was lop sided since my front and front right mounts were completely useless, therefore applying awkward tension and movent to the tension belt and pulley. i replaced them both and im now rolling in silence