A/C Compressor making grinding noise

[jmaziarz]

I have been searching the forums for the past 2-hours and have not found much info on this new problem of mine, any help would be appreciated.

About 4-days ago, I started my 93' Legacy L and heard a fairly loud grinding noise (similar to the sound you might hear the first time you apply brakes to slightly rusty rotors after a heavy rain storm) that lasted for about 2 minutes. During the two minutes, I popped the hood and found that the noise was coming from the A/C compressor. The noise then got much quieter and I drove home from work.

Over the last few days, every time I start the car the noise comes back and then goes away after a few minutes. There have also been a few instances that after the grinding noise stops a slight whistle can be heard. This whistle noise also goes away after a few minutes.

I found a reference from one post that suggested an A/C compressor can lose its lubrication if it is not kept at full charge as part of routine maintenance. Since this problem started recently, could recharging the unit fix the issue or is it more likely the compressor is shot and needs to be replaced? If replacement is likely, is it a fairly easy job for someone with little auto repair experience?

Thanks,
-Jeremy

[Legacy777]

Your compressor is pretty much dead. There's nothing you can do to fix it. My suggestion is to just use it until it dies. It's already probably thrown metal flakes and such into the condensor.

You can buy a new compressor, have everything flushed, and recharge things......which isn't too cheap. Also, these compressors can not be rebuilt. The dead end of the compressor basically kills itself. So if you do buy a reman'd one......check what warranty it offers.

[jmaziarz]

First, sorry about posting in the wrong forum. I wasn't sure where this went.

In any case, thanks for the response. Now I can start my research into getting this fixed.

-Jeremy

[Legacy777]

No prob.

Wish I had better news. I've been through 3 used compressors....and finally broke down and bought a new one.

[jmaziarz]

While I research how to do a compressor swap I still have to drive the car and so far today has been a bad day for ole' Subie. On my 52 mile commute to work she started grinding real bad and a tiny bit of white smoke (and awful smell) came from the engine. I think the compressor has really had it.

Would it be safe to cut the A/C accessory belt off to disengage the compressor entirely?

-Jeremy

[vrg3]

If simply disconnecting the little electrical connector on top of the compressor doesn't make the noise stop, then, yes, go ahead and remove the belt.

[jmaziarz]

Ah, right, electricity good idea. Thanks vrg3, I'll give it a shot.

-Jeremy

[Legacy777]

The compressor will probably sieze, so yeah disconnect that connector to keep it from turning on.

[scuzzy]

the white smoke and smell was the compressor seizing and burning through the belt.

good thing that belt only drives the compressor, you can run without it.

[Danteandsoob]

Hate to bring up an old thread, but mine just started doing this. I'm safe to assume I should not drive with the sounds going on? And so I can just disconnect the compressor and it won't affect any panther part of the engine?

[Danteandsoob]

And when I mean not safe to drive, I mean thati shouldn't have the a/c on? I don't what to do a lot of damage to my DD ):

[Legacy777]

Yeah, just unplug the electrical connector on the AC compressor. You'll need to flush the system out to get any gunk cleaned out when/if you put in a new compressor.