AC Compressor

[FordGuy100]

So when the AC is OFF, I am getting a metallic clicking that is constant from the AC compressor. It speeds up with engine rpm increases. When I turn the AC on, all the noise goes away.

Also I am at a loss messing with the damned ac. Today I put the fan on (finally!) and looked at the gauges to see what they read. At 1500-2000 rpms I was seeing a low side psi of 62-65psi, high side was 250-275. Ok so I decided I would let some regrigerant out just in case its overcharged. Awesome, low side psi dropped to 58psi at 1500-2000 rpm's. Took out some more, and it started going back up. Alrght so I add just a little regrigerant to bring it back down, what does it do? It goes back up in PSI.

Now I'm tottally lost as to how much is in the system. I'm thinking I'm going to take it in so they can actually put in the proper amount, and then I can mess with the little things myself. But I need to know if the compressor is going to fry since its making this noise. Belt isnt loose, compressor spins freely. Maybe I just need to take a BFH to the front of the compressor to make everything "even."

 

[linkman440]

Did you put the proper amount of oil in it? And you should be seeing about 30-35 on the low side and around 250 on the high.

 

[FordGuy100]

Yes it has the proper amount of oil. Right now I'm less worried about pressures and more worried by the metallic clicking noise coming from the compressor whent he AC is off.

 

[Wyreth]

It's likely something in your AC clutch that's come loose.

 

[FordGuy100]

Fudge.

 

[Wyreth]

well its fine when it's engaged, and it is june after all. Just run it until you find another clutch at a JY. =P

 

[FordGuy100]

Thats what I'm wondering as well! Or just take the darn belt off when the temps go down and not worry about it!

It literally makes no noise when its engaged.

 

[Wyreth]

It could be as simple as "remove clutch, disassemble, clean, reassemble, reinstall" too. They're not overly complex.

 

[FordGuy100]

I can see where it's rubbing between the clutch frot plate and the pulley. I'm tempted to clearance it

 

[FordGuy100]

I think I am going to vent some tomorrow and see if that helps bring the high side pressure down some along with the low side pressure. If that doesn't help it's going tothe shop!

 

[Jake_IN]

Isn't there are bearing in there? When the AC clutch is disengaged the pulley just spins on the bearing. If you engage the AC everything spins together since the shaft the bearing is on is spinning now. Just a WAG but it makes sense to me.

 

[itsacrazyasian]

if its a metallic rubbing sound that goes away with the ac engaged, its either A, coming apart or B incorrect air gap. The problem is, too much airgap and the clutch may not engage. Is this the reman compressor?

 

[FordGuy100]

Yes it's reman. I just can't win when it comes to AC! I went out and looked at the comptessor and rotated the center part by hand and can definatly tell wen it "rubs" against the pulley part of the compressor. I'm tempted to having the refrigerant evac'ed and taking the pump back fr a new one. My other option is to rent the clutch hub tool, tale it apart and see if putting it back together will magically fix it, or perhaps take my other compressor clutch assembly off and then put it onto te reman compressor.

Or hell, just go in there and bend some things back into place!

Or just take the damn pump back for a new one, hopefully they will warranty it.

 

[sassyrel]

Yes it's reman. I just can't win when it comes to AC! I went out and looked at the comptessor and rotated the center part by hand and can definatly tell wen it "rubs" against the pulley part of the compressor. I'm tempted to having the refrigerant evac'ed and taking the pump back fr a new one. My other option is to rent the clutch hub tool, tale it apart and see if putting it back together will magically fix it, or perhaps take my other compressor clutch assembly off and then put it onto te reman compressor.

Or hell, just go in there and bend some things back into place!

Or just take the damn pump back for a new one, hopefully they will warranty it.

just remove the nut in the center of the clutch,,and pull off..their not pressed on,,they are on a spline,,with shims............and if its making noise shut off,,the clutch idler bearing is probably bad....rebuilt,,doesnt mean good!!!!!!!!!!!!! and if the clutch face is higher on one side then the other,,well,,,like i said about rebuilts....................

 

[FordGuy100]

Still making that noise, but I will tackle that another day.

I went ahead and vented out some freon and it lowered the low side psi a few, and the high side a lot. At idle I was seeing about 65psi low (still way high) and almost 300psi high side. Ambient temp 89 (call it 90) with humidity in the 20-30's % I vented some and got it down to about 62psi and about 250psi high, much better IMHO for the high side.

I then grabbed a hose and went ahead and sprayed the condesor down while it was idling. Low side PSI dropped to around 50psi, high side dropped to 175! That seemed low to me but then I thought that with the water it would be like using AC on more like a 75 degree day (with the water helping cool) so that seems alright. Definatly could feel a large difference in the cab.

Then I drove home, and it seems to be working about the same as when I drove out there, albiet the high side PSI is lower which gives me a greater sense of security.

So I'm thinking my condensor isnt acting up to par. I did flush it out, but perhaps there is still some blockage in there. It is not compacted with dirt or bugs or anything.

For right now, I will live with the condensor, fix that metallic sound, and just live the the 55-60* vent temperatures. I might even find some stick on insulation to cover the evaporator box to help keep it cooler, and block off the heater core hoses, I think that would help lower temps a couple of degrees.