[s-cars] A/C compressor noise

[dgraber460 at aol.com]

Not wanting to be the gloomy gus but I see no way to do it in the car.
I recently had to replace the compressor on my 95 S6, and avoided it for some time because of expense and hassle due to _not_ being very DIY friendly. After some summer 100 degree days I had pull it out. The compressor was difficult enough to remove that I see no way to service the front of it in situ, unless you remove the front of the car similar to the timing belt procedure. For my money, opening the system?and recharging is much easier. I didn't think that 4 months ago, but I do now. (I'm currently doing the timing belt so I know first hand both scenarios)
The good news is it was not as bad a repair as I had anticipated. I sourced the AC adapter from the list here (can't remember the contact) and that made it all a DYI operation. The adapter lets you use the off the shelf refrigerant and recharge the system on the low pressure side after the replacement. It has been working fine for 3 months now.


Dennis Graber
720-838-0558


-----Original Message-----
From: Eugene Yen <eugenekyen at gmail.com>
To: s-car-list at audifans.com
Sent: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 9:23 am
Subject: Re: [s-cars] A/C compressor noise



Folks,
First of all, many thanks to all who replied to my post regarding A/C
compressor noise from a couple of weeks ago.  To refresh everyone's
memory, my '95.5 S6 makes a whirring noise with a faint clattering
when the A/C is off.  The noise goes away when I turn the A/C on.

I finally found the time to do some more troubleshooting last night.
I removed the serpentine belt and turned the compressor pulley by
hand.  It feels rough, and it makes a grinding noise, so I'm pretty
sure that the compressor clutch bearing is hosed.

My local independent mechanic quoted me $1k to replace the compressor
($750 compressor + 2.5 hrs labor), and he recommended that I replace
the whole compressor, not just the clutch.  Once again, I appeal to
this list's wisdom in the hope of saving some money:

1. Do I really need to replace the compressor, or can I get away with
just replacing the clutch?
2. Could you guys please recommend some reputable online sources for
an A/C compressor and/or clutch?
3. Bentley shows the clutch replacement procedure with the compressor
sitting on a workbench, but...can I replace the clutch without
removing the whole compressor from the car? (I would like to avoid
disconnecting the hoses and the associated discharge/recharge of the
system)

Thanks again,
Eugene
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