S70 AC Noise

ez4u · Post by **ez4u** » 27 Jan 2012, 19:53

98S70 the AC compressor makes horrendous noise. After lots of $$ and headache I've narrowed it down to the AC. The AC works fine.The noise is from the outside, I've chnaged the belts and pullys. I've even the alternator-thinking that it was causing the noise, but the noise is still there. The noise is the worst when it's cold outside and/or when the AC is running. Has anyone else had this problem?? Could it be the compressor pulley or clutch if it has one? Or do I need to replace the entire compressor?

thanks.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 29 Jan 2012, 21:49

You can replace just the clutch assembly or you can buy a shorter belt and bypass the A/C compressor entirely if it sounds like it is about to lock up. What is curious is your statement that the noise gets worse when the A/C is on. The clutch bearing is more or less taken out of the equation while the compressor is running unless it is really failing big time and causing the pulley to just flop around.

The bypass belt number is a Gates K060495. That number will cross over into to other brands as well.

...Lee

ez4u · Post by **ez4u** » 30 Jan 2012, 06:56

Thank you,

Post by **jblackburn** » 30 Jan 2012, 06:59

I had a Buick that made a ton of racket when the AC was running - it sounded like an air compressor almost. The system just needed some PAG oil in it to lubricate the inside of the compressor.

The fact that it's making noise when the AC isn't running (unless you do have it on defrost) does seem to point to a bearing of some sort, though.

ez4u · Post by **ez4u** » 30 Jan 2012, 07:52

yea...I'm gonna try the bypass belt as suggested earlier, this way I'll be sure before spending more money. Thanks.

ez4u · Post by **ez4u** » 22 Feb 2012, 11:39

finally got the time to work on this issue...after getting to the serpantine belt....It seems as if after rerouting the belt and bypassing the ac....the belt might touch. So I put it all back together and hopefully I'll get some answers here from folk that have done it before. I did not take the ac compressor out, just wanted to bypass the ac....so how did u guys reroute the belt?
thanks.

ez4u · Post by **ez4u** » 02 Mar 2012, 20:05

The AC complressor clutch finally seized up and started smoking. Good thing the wife was almost home. Changed the belt and bypassed the ac. The noise it gone! Thank you Lee for all your help.

ez4u · Post by **ez4u** » 22 Mar 2012, 13:30

Planning to change the ac compressor this weekend...whats the best way to deal with the freon?
thanks

Rook · Post by **Rook** » 14 Jun 2012, 22:02

I think I'm travelling down the same path as you. Recently started hearing a bearing grind sound that changes as the AC is engaged/disengaged. Sound is going away after a few minutes and the A/C still works intermittently. But it ain't good! Smells like somethings burning. I'll have to do something. I still want A/C so the bypass isn't gonna be an option unless cost to fix is crazy.

ez4u · Post by **ez4u** » 15 Jun 2012, 13:45

If you take the car somewhere/anywhere to fix it will cost you a lot! But I'm sure you knew that. The main bearing/clutch on the compressor failed on my car. The compressor was fine, but in order to get the bearing and clutch out, I had to get the compressor out. It was just easier to replace the entire attachment then to mess around the clutch. Mine smelled also before it seized up. The smell was from the clutch bearing failing and becoming super hot. Once it seized, the belt started to smoke. Luckily the wife got home just in time or it would have eventually caught on fire or would have snapped the serpentine belt.

I ended up taking the compressor out from the top. You can take it out from the bottom, but there are two compressor screws that are impossible to take out unless you have a lift...which I don't. So I took the long way, and took the pwr steering pump out, then the alternator and then the compressor. It's not an impossible job, you can do it, but it is time consuming. I would dedicate a day at least.

You should definitely take care of it before it seized up. I went to the junkyard and found a same model S70 and took the copressor out for $65 bucks, I also replaced the serpentine belt $28. The cheapest quote I got was $350 and that was with my junkyard compressor. If you decide to do the job and have questions, just let me know.
Good luck with your over engineered vehicle..AKA-Volvo