97 lesabre A/C compressor noise

hello
there is grinding noise and metal dust around the pully.it just happened. is it safe to drive like that for a while.what the worse could be done to the compressor if i drive it.
what parts to change,
do i need to replace the whole unit .
can the pully only be replaced.
thank you

Hi,
My girlfriends' car ('97 LeSabre) did the same thing the year after she bought it used in 2003. I investigated the problem and got many different answers on how to repair. GM Tech over at www.aircondition.com told me it was a very common problem on the GM V-5 compressor(Harrison) and it just needs to be adjusted. The symptons are: Noise when compressor is not engaged. Only when the pully is turning and not the clutch. It scraps because of a lack of air gap clearence.The clutch plate rubs against the pulley. You need to go to a local auto parts store such as Murrays or Auto Zone and borrow a compressor clutch tool kit. You can then back out the clutch plate to .020 air gap from the pully and this will solve the problem.

Many shops will try and charge you for a new compressor, or at least a new clutch etc. I was quoted from $200-600 for these repairs and it ended up costing me "0". When the air is on or the compressor is engaged the noise won't be there because of the meshing of both parts.

You can do this job if you can work with common tools. Save yourself alot of money and stay away from the shops on this one. I've done alot of work with a/c but wasn't familar with this problem until GM Tech helped over at that website.If you go there you'll see some of his posts concerning this problem.

Hoped I helped.

If you feel lucky you can try regapping the clutch plate but if its been rubbing its most likely been defaced and in need of replacement,you'll also find that the clutch bearing is shot,IMHO you would be better to replace the compressor,good luck

hi
thanks for replies,its 12:00AM here NJ.just came from work.
i will check it early next day and see if the clutch is rubbing aginst the pully<bearings>.
but i have the filling its bearing gone bad.
thanks again.

Same thing happened to me, the clutch plate was sprung, and not totally disengaging from the AC pulley. I suppose you could try to re adjust it. It takes a special tool to adjust it or replace it. I got a new clutch plate, and cleaned up the face of the pulley as good as I could. So far the new clutch plate is working.

hello
i found out after i took off the compressor that the pulley on the clutch was bad, i got a reman- compressor $254.00 and $150.00 for R134a<vacumed and fill>.

I hope they put a new accumulator/drier and new oil in the system! If not, good luck! :smokin: