Hello Friends. I have recently purchased a 2001 3800, and of course, 3 weeks after I bought it my AC compressor started making a noise, but only when the air is turned off. I have a couple suspicions on this one. First of all, it looks a little rusted/corroded (sp?). I suspect that it's because of the position under the hood. Its low and looks like it could get a lot of water/road ****/salt on it. My question is actually this: is it just the clutch? or will I need to replace the entire compressor? If I don't fix this right away will it eventually cause my compressor to fail? I took it to a guy I know (Honda Mechanic) that said he didn't know A/C well enough to fix it, but suggested I pick'n'pull an entire compressor and switch it out. I have never done any a/c work and don't know if i'll have to de-pressurize the a/c system to change the compressor. Anyone have this problem? Thanks for all your help. I hope to return the favor of giving advice after a little experience with this rig.

 

If you only get noise when the compressor is not running, then the clutch is bad. A bad clutch won't harm the compressor but it not easily replaced. Replacing the entire assembly is fairly simple, but the proper amount of compressor lubricant will have to be added, the sytem avacuated, and then properly recharged.

 

Thanks for the info Pete. I've found some AC service tools so I'm going to attempt to replace the clutch. I'd rather not recharge the AC and all that.