Air conditioner compressor pulley

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Hey, fellas.

I have a noise coming from the engine compartment that I initially thought might be the water pump. It sounds like the noise you would get when there is too much clearance between a pulley and a shaft and it starts to chatter. It is most noticable when the engine is cold but lingers quite a while.

When I recently replaced my serpentine belt, I checked all the pulleys and the only one that had any play at all was the air conditioner compressor pulley. Should this pulley have no play at all? Can this pulley be replaced without removing the compressor? Does it typically make some noise before failing?

I've noticed this noise for quite some time but it SEEMS to be getting worse. It's hard to tell because, if it is changing, it's very gradual.

The water pump pulley was not loose at all and was not "weeping".

TIA

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1996 Dodge 2500 4X4 SC, SLT, Cummins 12V, 5-spd. , JRE 4" exhaust (my kitty ran away into the woods and the muffler fell off!), TST 280 HP/685 Ft-Lb Uprate Kit, AFC Spring Kit, Horton Fan Clutch, Jacobs/Ram Exhaust Brake, MagHytec Differential Cover, Prime-Loc, Rancho RS9000 Shocks, Combo Gauge, K&N Air Filter, Brite-Box, Geno's finger-touch oil pan drain plug, Optima Yellow Tops, no turbo silencer ring, full-time fog lights.

 

[Archive]

The A/C pulley itself should not have any side play. Ckeck if the noise is when the A/C compressor is engaged or when it is off. If noisy when it is engaged then your compressor is going south. If it is only noisy with the A/C off then it is more than likely the compressor clutch bearing. Take off your belt and spin this pulley and listen to it to see if the bearing in the pulley is bad. Also look at where the front of the clutch contacts the pulley. If there is alot of fine rust powder,it is probably the clutch. Generally you need a special puller to remove the clutch. Chris #ad