ken72

I posted in a previous thread about getting my A/C cold again by adding r134a. A week later the air is still cold but I have been having this noise issue now. When I start up with the A/C on there is this squeeling noise and the engine makes a clear whining noise when driving. I only does if for a few minutes and them seems to go away. I also idle a little higher and rougher with the A/C on. What I have noticed is if I start the engine without the A/C and then wait to turn it on while I am driving the squeeling noise does not happen but the whining engine noise is still there for a little while. I also notice that when my clutch disengages it is pretty loud. Not the usual shift in engine pressure etc. but more like a clank from the clutch. I am replacing the belt in the next day or so and I am hoping a new belt helps but I have feeling its the clutch. I did not fill the system up to a full 40 or so psi just about 30psi. Could the system still be too low causing it to do this? If it is the clutch what can I do to make it last at least one more summer? Any lubricants or spray that I could shoot into it to make it last a little longer?

ken72

bump

Eli Lilly

The clutches on my 3 XJs have always been crazy loud, a huge CLANK when they engage and disengage.

-E

ken72

Ok, I'll just fill it and hope it lasts me a couple of years... Sound so loud I just thought for sure I was loosing it, but it works great.

93gc40

May be loose belt.

ken72

Could be, thats one thing I considered as well. I have a new Gates belt comming on monday.

Willys55

Two things come to mind, first the clutch plate could be worn and you can buy a clutch kit and replace it yourself....it's kinda easy. The other thought would be overcharged or not enough oil in the system causing rough compressor operation, I can't hear or touch it from here, but that would be my 4 cents. (inflation dude)

ken72

Dang, Advice from Jersy aint cheap! But its good advice just the same. When you say not enough oil in the system, is that something that is part of th r134a? Is there oil or lubricates in the mixture?

I still think I am a little low since I still only have it at 30psi. I planned on filling it more this weekend. The belt was squealing like a stuck pig yesturday after washing the jeep, but as soon as I turned of the A/C the squealing ended. I am thinking its a combo of an old belt and low PSI. I get the new belt tomorrow in mail but I wont be able to install until tuesday. So until then I will add more freon and report back on tuesday or so.

Eli Lilly

You have to have the belt fairly tight or it will slip when the AC kicks on.

-E

OldMan

I have the same thought, that your AC system may be overfull. The only way to tell for sure is to use both high and low side guages at the same time. Either that, or bleed the system dry, put a vacuum pump on it overnight, and then fill it to specs.

ken72

Here is what happened... I am not sure it is overfilled.... but there is little to no way for me to tell untill I measure the pressure on both the high and low together, but there was no cold air comming out until I added the can of r134a. The compressor would kick on and off every 2 to 3 seconds. The pressure would shoot to 45 engaged then shoot down to 20psi disengaged again every 2 -3 seconds. Once I started filling the clutch engaged and stayed that way for a while and the pressure settled at 20psi. I went back and hooked up the can and brought the pressure up to 30psi. Still too low considering the temps out here right now. Should be closer to 40 or 45 psi right now. This is what leads me to believe it is still low. I believe the belt is orginal and needs to be changed (this will happen soon) I appreciate everyones ideas.... I need to get a good set of guages.

MachRanger

Double check the tension on the belt. If it's too loose then the belt will squeal until it heats up. Or just try tightening the idler pulley bolt on the power steering pump bracket a little. My idler pulley started chattering when I refilled my a/c last week. Turns out the pulley bolt was a little too loose, might wanna check yours too. But replacing the belt sure won't hurt.

There's a technique that most mechanics use to tell which pulley, if any, is chattering. Take a long screwdriver and place the tip on some metal nearest each pulley and put the handle on your ear. You'll be able to hear the bearing inside spinning. If a bearing is going bad, it'll be louder than the rest. Should work on the a/c clutch too. Just be careful where you put the screwdriver while the engine is running.

ken72

Roger that!

1991Jeep_Man

Agreed with *****. Make sure your r-134a refill is high mileage for that extra bit of oil. And yes, the refridgerant does have an oil in it that allows the compressor and such to operate smoothly without actually having 'dipstick oil' lol. Would be pretty messy if you ask me.

1991Jeep_Man

Also, I forgot to mention. That whining noise you talked about.. is it constant or does it go away? I ask because the extra load of the compressor clutch going on could strain a bad harmonic balancer, which whines when it is going bad.