AC noise

drjay9051 on Fri October 01, 2010 9:13 AM

Year: 2001
Make: honda
Model: civic

I need help, please. My 01 civic has 165K miles. 3 years ago replaced AC condenser. Last few weeks it runs cold, than warm, than cold etc. i did not have it looked at, my mistake. Yesterday i heard a screeching noise under the hood and smell like burning rubber. looks like there is a belt which goes from engine to the compressor via 2 pulleys. Even with the AC off the belt is turning The noise is coming from the condenser or clutch not sure as i dontknow a thing aboutAC. Anyway, I assume the belt is supposed to always be moving and when AC is on the clutch engages and runs AC. I think there a problem with the clutch maybe seized up. I cannot afford to have it fixed right now and summer is over. i am afraid to run with the noise . My question is this: is it safe to just cut the belt that goes to the compressor to stop the noise and in the spring when i can afford it have the whole system checked out and repaired? There are other belts like alternator etc but it looks like the belt to the compresssor just goes from one pulley to the other and is causing the compressor or cluth or whatever to continually rotate hence the noise.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you

1stbscout on Fri October 01, 2010 9:28 AM

yes you can remove the belt without any other attendant problems.

drjay9051 on Fri October 01, 2010 10:15 AM

Quote
Originally posted by: 1stbscout
yes you can remove the belt without any other attendant problems.

Thank you for your help. BTW: Should I have had this problem after having compressor replaced 3 years ago? I just dont know if its worth fixing again. Im trying to decide at what point putting money into the car is a losing battle

Cussboy on Fri October 01, 2010 1:29 PM

Quote
Originally posted by: drjay9051

BTW: Should I have had this problem after having compressor replaced 3 years ago?

It can happen, especially if there were wear particles left in the system, such as from comprressor failure and/or inadequate flushing.

Quote
Originally posted by: drjay9051

I just dont know if its worth fixing again. Im trying to decide at what point putting money into the car is a losing battle

1. Does vehicle perform well otherwise, no rust, etc.?

2. Do you live more in a place with summers like Arizona, or New Hampshire?

Chick on Sat October 02, 2010 8:08 PM

If you have the noise when the AC is off, it's most likely the pulley bearing, and common on those compressors, run it thru the winter without the compressor belts, but it's your call if you ant to fix it in the spring..If I use a car everyday, it must have AC, don't matter if it's an 01 or a 91...
If you system is holding refrigerant, the system will be fine when it comes time to fix it..no air or moisture can get in... you can check with Ackits.com and see if a clutch assembly is available for your compressor.. once the belt is off, check for play in the pulley to confirm ..

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

Chick on Sat October 02, 2010 8:09 PM