What will the vac test tell me? If I have any leaks in my system? Thanks

 

yes the vac test will tell if there are any leaks. Also while checking pullys check your water pump, look at it with the engine running. The belt will ride to the front or the back (dramatically) of the pully if it's bad or going bad. then check normally for play with the belt off.

 

were it me no way id even attempt the hassle of doing the bearing to save maybe 140 dollars, especially since there are other things that can be lost or damaged in the process. while that repair is ok for some, to me its sort of third world thinking (homemade brake fluid made out of shampoo and alcohol) As to the compressor short cycling, compressor cycling is determined by low and hi pressures, if you are in an area that is experiancing winter right now, the low outdoor ambiant is likely the cause

 

Okay....... shampoo and alcohol, I was always told to use water

 

saw it on top gear i think they were in bolivia

 

Don't think it's my water pump, the sound is coming more from the passenger side of the engine. Also I replaced the water pump less than a year ago. Regardless, I will check all the pulleys just to be sure.

 

The sound reminded me of my wifes 07 Dodge Caliber when the alternator lost a bearing.

 

So this morning I used my improvised stethoscope (rubber hose per xjgunny's suggestion).... and I could not pinpoint the sound coming from the AC Compressor. The noise never got louder with the hose anywhere around the compressor. Through the process of elimination I think it's either the alternator or more likely the mechanical fan clutch making the noise.

However, I couldn't confirm the noise was coming from the fan clutch because the "whirring" of the fan was louder through the hose than the mysterious noise I'm looking for was. Also it is hard to get the hose next to the clutch without hitting the fan. Hopefully I can get my hands on an actual stethoscope or some longer hose which should help. Going to try more diagnostics tomorrow. How can I tell if the fan clutch is going? Take the belt off and feel for play/binding?

 

It might be my alternator now that I've ruled out the compressor. How could you tell that it lost a bearing? Check the pulley for play?

 

On hers you could actually see the shaft wobbling. Put your hand on the alternator and feel it while it's running. If there's a bad bearing, you'll feel it.

 

Only reason I say water pump is that I thought my squeal was the idler pully, turned out to be the water pump and it was only 12 to 18 months old.

 

Been working on it today... and the noise is definitely coming from either the distributor/distributor cap/rotor. Took the cap off and lots of build-up/corrosion on the terminals on the inside of the cap. I'm researching now and trying to figure out if it's just the cap or the whole distributor needs replacing.

 

Let us know.

 

So the noise was coming from the distributor... When we pulled it out the distributor shaft was near frozen. Picked up a new distributor, cap, and rotor at the parts store, but the distributor was 6 thousands of an inch bigger than the factory one. So one more trip to the store and I found one that fit.

Installation was intimidating because if you don't set the distributor correctly, the timing will be off and you have to start all over. However, my father and I thoroughly read and understood the process before we started. It really wasn't that difficult you just have to be sure the engine is TDC cylinder 1 and that the distributor rotor is pointing at the cylinder one terminal when installed. Now she is purring like a kitten.

I found this post on Tomasz Korwel's blog that has a great step by step instructions/images for the distributor removal and installation.
http://tomasz.korwel.net/2006/12/19/...s-40l-engines/

Now that the distributor is fixed I'm trying to figure out what this small black module is called that I believe is part of the AC system. It makes a ticking sound after I've been driving for awhile that you can hear from inside the Jeep. I took another video with the new distributor... I point to the small black module towards the end of the video that I'm referring to. it's not making the sound during the video because the engine was cold. I tried the Haynes manual and the internet but I can't find a diagram or figure out what this thing is called. Anyone know what this is or if it's normal for it to tick?


Thanks for the help!

 

Glad you got er going.

Nice camera by the way, what kind is it? Very steady.