PA grinding noise (bad compressor?)

[bronzeback5]

As soon as i get one thing fixed, another breaks. Anyways, i have a 99 PA Ultra as most of you have noticed. Started hearing a grinding type noise from underneath. I got under it tonight and it is coming from the crank pulley/ac compressor area. I can hear it good from the oil pan also, but i assume it is just traveling. It only makes this sound with the a/c off. As soon as i turn the air on, noise stops. I looked around the a/c compressor and there are some metal shavings behind the triangle plate that covers the end of the compressor, i don't know if this is normal or not. What would you advise me to start doing, pull the belt and spin the a/c pulley by hand and see if i can hear anything. It's just weird that it stops as soon as the compressor kicks in. The air does work fine.

Here is a video, you can hear it pretty good towards the end. I am turning the air on and off. Again, noise is when i shut the air off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR3Qppm368k

[frankiee]

I have a 99 PA which I just got to put on the road
It sat all winter and I am finding things all over that are not working right.
My air conditioner unit has that same metal filling look. Only my air does not work and mine makes noise all the time whether the air is on or not.
I do not think it is normal and I would not run it in the mode where it makes the noise.
I will be watching this post and taking mine apart soon to find the problem. Hope it is just a small thing that got stuck during the winter without use.

[frankiee]

Just got back from pulling the belt
The compressor on mine is real free. I think that is good
I makes the scraping noise when I turn the triangle plate.
The noise goes away when I turn the triangle plate and the commpresor the same speed.
To me this means that the compressor might be good and might just need a clutch.
I am going to dig further tommorow and between now and then I hope that some experts come on and tell us some good news

[frankiee]

So far in my research it dont look too bad
There is an adjustment that can be made but a person needs a special tool to pull the clutch off.
I think worse case would be to replace the clutch
As long as I dont have to open the system and replace the compressor I am happy

[HotZ28]

Clutch clearance gap should be set at .020.

[frankiee]

How is the gap adjusted? Shims?

[bronzeback5]

Whatcha think HotZ28. I am going camping for a week starting Tue, i think i'll just leave the PA at home. Is your noise similar to mine frankiee? Keep me in mind if ya figure anything out.

[HotZ28]

All you need is a clutch remover/installer tool to pull the clutch out enough to gain about .020 clearance. If you open the gap too much, use the tool to move it back in. Never use a hammer, it can cause damage to the compressor front seal! You should be able to rent the correct tool for a V5 compressor at AZ, O'Reilly, or Advanced. Click Here for a sample view of the tool kit. Usually the threads in the hub are rusty, so soak with PB-blaster before trying to thread the tool in the hub. Good luck!

[frankiee]

Wow thanks Hot Z28
Bronzeback 5- Is this Hot Z28 good or what!

Yes the noise is the same.
When I find/borrow/buy the tool I will take some digital pics and put them in my post. (I am challenged when it comes to adding vid and pics to post so please be patient)

I wonder what happens to them why they need the clearance adjusted.
Should I think the bearing is getting a bit loose?

[bronzeback5]

Yea, he's pretty d@mn reliable too. Always stops in to help. I am just wondering if there is enough room to adjust the gap while it is still on the car? Also, did you notice any play in the pulley? I heading to the lake tomorrow so i will have to dig into this next week. Luckily i am off all next week too. Keep me posted.

As for the pics, i just add them to my photobucket or youtube account, copy the image code right below the pic, and then paste it using the globe or the mountain icon that are at the top when you are making a new post.

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by bronzeback5

Whatcha think HotZ28. I am going camping for a week starting Tue, i think i'll just leave the PA at home. Is your noise similar to mine frankiee? Keep me in mind if ya figure anything out.

Thanks for the compliments, we try to offer advice as time permits. No problem driving the car with AC on, just set the temp to the desired temp, and leave it on!