Bad weekend gone worse

Meanstreets · Post by **Meanstreets** » 28 Feb 2011, 11:29

My inlaws wanted to get together at an indoor waterpark in Wisconsin a couple hours from home. Not my idea of a great weekend, but was necessary to please the wife. Lots of interesting people up there.
My turbocharger is due for some service, and I lose some oil from it, so I decided to check my oil level before leaving for home. When i attempted to pull the dipstick, it broke off. I got the orange ring, the dipstick and some of the orange bits stayed in the tube. When I got home i used pliers and got the dipstick out, but a bit of the orange plastic piece was lost down the tube. I've ordered a replacement dipstick from IPD, but want to know if the loose plastic piece will damage the oil pump or block oil flow.
second, as I was pulling into the dirveway, i noticed a new noise coming from the engine bay, so opened the hood for a listen. Either the alternator or AC compressor are making a lot of noise. Maybe bad bearings? Maybe relevant: towards the end of summer the A/C compressor would quickly cycle on/off. I figured it was due to low refrigerant, and just flipped the A/C switch to "off" and forgot about it. Maybe it was the A/C compressor clutch or bearings going bad? I guess the question is: how can I tell which until is making the noise ? Will I be able to tell if I take the accessory belt off and feel for play in the pully?
My 1997 855 T5 has 153,000 miles.
Thanks.

Post by **jimmy57** » 28 Feb 2011, 12:22

The piece in engine would have to be less than 1/8 inch to go through the oil pickup strainer. It will likely come out when you change the oil.
Take off serpentine belt and check all the rotating parts. P/S pump will not feel smooth so you can probably not bother with it.

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 28 Feb 2011, 17:52

+1

I doubt you picked anything up but anything is possible.

Post by **thecheat** » 28 Feb 2011, 19:13

My AC compressor sounds terrible. Hard to describe but it's a clattering noise like a sped up diesel idle. When I cycle the AC on and off the noise comes and goes. I'll replace it one day when it stops completely.

I need to do the clutch shims for sure. I doubt that is causing the noise but I suppose it is a possible source... Might get to them tomorrow if the O2 sensor replacement goes easily.

Meanstreets · Post by **Meanstreets** » 28 Feb 2011, 19:30

Thanks for the advice. I'll try to take the belt off and have a look this weekend.

Post by **vjaneczko** » 28 Feb 2011, 19:56

It'd be a real good idea to change the oil as soon as possible - just to be safe.

For the AC, you may want to check the refridgerant level and see if the AC clutch needs shimming.

If you're pulling off the belt, it might help to start the car to see if you have the noise - just don't run it too long 'cause you won't have your alternator powering the battery. If you still have the noise, your steering pump, AC and alternator are OK.