I took my car out for a spin this afternoon since the weather was nice. When I started to back the car into the garage I heard a strange high pitch noise. I took a video of it.

Could anyone possibly tell me what it is?


http://s1309.beta.photobucket.com/us...8f733.mp4.html

 

Sounds like either the fan for the alternator is hitting the case or the A/C clutch.

 

Okay, thanks. How can I verify that?

 

If it's the alternator you can check the casing behind the fan blade for marks from it hitting. Other than that, the only thing I can think of is to let the car sit over night, and with the engine cold take the serpentine belt off and start the car but don't run it for more than a few seconds because the belt runs the water pump. Listen for the noise. If you don't here any thing, one of the pullies is making the noise.

 

Well I just took the car to the shop and it is the A/C clutch plate. The tech brought me in to see. The plate is rubbing and metal shavings are flying everywhere. When he turns off the A/C the noise stops. He said they don't sell the clutch separate. So I have to buy the /C compression unit. Installed will cost me $900.

Here's another $900! Car will be ready in a few hours.

 

Or you could have gotten a serpentine belt made for non-A/C and bypassed the compressor. That would have been more like a $20 fix, but then you wouldn't have A/C.

 

for warranty purposes they will need to install more than the compressor and that is why the cost seems high to you. The compressor however is the lion's share of the expense.

I'm glad I can do all of that stuff myself.

 

Yeah, I wish I could...

They need to replace the dryer tube, orfis tube, flush, and vacuum the system.

 

Car is back to normal now! The manager gave me a $100 discount. I only had to pay $806 (still expensive, but better than $900)!

The tech showed me my old parts. Here are some pictures. You can see the metal shavings on the A/C unit and some in the filter as well.