A/C Compressor whine.

03 Taurus SES Vulcan 50K mi. Started hearing it a week ago and I know it's the compressor because when you turn the AC off and on the whine starts and stops. Not *real* loud but loud enough to hear. Been 85 degrees here and it cools great. Never had the freon checked but I figure if it's cooling that well it doesn't need checking. Replaced the serpentine belt a few months back so it's good.

Anybody ever had such a noise and subsequently the compressor goes bad?
Advance Auto wants $214. for a new one with the clutch and two year warranty, not to bad. Wonder how much an indepent garage will charge to take the old one off and put the new one on, and charge it up ready for summer. Or, should I just drive it until the compressor gives up and dies. No core credit when you buy a new one.

Another thing to consider is it could possibly be a bad idler pulley and/or self tensioner, as well as a bad belt. When the A/C compressor is engaging, it is placing an increased load on the serpentine belt. If I recall correctly, you installed a Gatorback belt, which should be decent and not likely the problem, but I'm not a Goodyear fan (personal preference). However, if your self tensioner is not applying the proper amount of tension, it could be allowing the belt to slip slightly.

Does the whine change if you blip the throttle? How about it you turn the steering wheel to one of the locks and hold it there for less than 8 seconds, does that make the whine change pitch? What about turning the steering to lock with the A/C off, will it create a similar whine? If so, I'd suggest replacing the self tensioner and inspecting the idler.

-Rod

When we changed the belt I made sure to spin the idler and make sure it was not grating and it seemed smooth enough to us. Took one to hold the long handled wrench on the tensioner while the other put the belt on a I held the wrench so I know that baby had plenty of tension left in the spring. All things to consider and going by my indepent garage this AM and let the man have a listen. I'll turn the wheel hard over and see if the whine changes tune.

Just thinking out loud here, but compressor $214. labor $200. and freon $100.
all said and done I'm prolly looking at a close to a $600. bill. Going to shop around and if I can get rebuilt with a guarantee and I get a core credit might save a few bucks. 50K seems a mite early for it to go out, but like Forest Gump said, . . . "Stuff happens . . ." I'll let you know what I find out and thanks much for the advice.

Just remembered, when I had the starter rebuilt the tech put on a new tensioner and idler pulley. I didn't get a chance to go by the garage today but will try again tomorrow.