2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Bad AC compressor

[Kalaehina]

If my AC compressor just started making a rattling noise when the AC is turned on, but the truck runs and sounds fine when the AC is off, is the truck still ok to drive in the meantime? Leaving the AC off?

 

[fest3er]

Remove tension on the belt and inspect the pulley and clutch. If the pulley is solid (no play in it), it's probably OK for the time being. Then turn the A/C on and turn the key on. This *should* engage the clutch and make the pulley harder to turn by hand. Then have someone turn the key on and off while you're under the truck looking (you may not be able to see much) and listening. If the clutch doesn't make a nice, clean 'click' and/or it doesn't look right, the clutch may have failed and you won't want to drive it like this indefinitely.

This is conjecture on my part. My truck's at 280k miles and 16 years; the compressor is original and still working well, even after being down due to the evaporator leak for a couple-three years. (I finally replaced the evap and the system gets colder than it ever did the previous 15 years I've had the truck. )

 

[fest3er]

Remove tension on the belt and inspect the pulley and clutch. If the pulley is solid (no play in it), it's probably OK for the time being. Then turn the A/C on and turn the key on. This *should* engage the clutch and make the pulley harder to turn by hand. Then have someone turn the key on and off while you're under the truck looking (you may not be able to see much) and listening. If the clutch doesn't make a nice, clean 'click' and/or it doesn't look right, the clutch may have failed and you won't want to drive it like this indefinitely.



This is conjecture on my part. My truck's at 280k miles and 16 years; the compressor is original and still working well, even after being down due to the evaporator leak for a couple-three years. (I finally replaced the evap and the system gets colder than it ever did the previous 15 years I've had the truck. )

 

[Kalaehina]

Thanks! I'll check it out and see what I find.