tookwik

For the longest time I was not running any air conditioning in my car because I just decided to not put it back in after installing a front mount. Well this summer, when it started hitting high 90 degree temps, I decided it may be a good thing ,since it was my daily driver, to put my a/c back in. Well about 2 weeks ago my belts starting squeeking a little on start-up so I checked under the hood and noticed some dark-oily substance around the power steering/ac pump area that was noticeably getting onto the pulley... it even appears as though there are metal shavings in it. (could just be my imagination cuz i sure can't feel them, its just sort of shiny) What would any of you recommend me do? For the mean time I have just taken off that belt and dealt with not having a/c or power steering. Thanks in advance.

-Taylor

DamonB

Anytime you see tiny, powdery metal shaving around a pulley you have a bearing that is dying. The ones inside of things like the a/c and air pump clutches will cause such problems.

If a bearing in one of the accessory's clutch is disintergrating you will normally hear a low growl or squeal with the accessory off (clutch disengaged). The instant you turn the accessory on the clutch will engage and the noise will disappear since the pulley is now engaged to the clutch. Fix these quickly as it's only a matter of time before the bearing completely lunches itself and destroys things.

I'd check very closely for leaks. The p/s pump weeps from the rubber hose just under the fluid reservoir. I had to replace that hose to keep mine clean. Other than that check the a/c connections closely. The a/c system has oil in it as well so if there are freon leaks you will typically see a little bit of oil and grime around the leak. If the leak is directly behind the a/c pulley then the seals in the compressor are shot and freon is leaking out around the shaft.

tookwik

Well it's probably the bearing then because after i took the belt off my engine bay became MUCH more quiet. I originally thought it was the alternator but it's definately not if it just stopped after taking the ps/ac belt off. I'm assuming its the PS bearing b/c it was beginning to make wierd noises whenever I turned the wheel... so how do I fix a dying bearing?

USCmatt

You could probably pick up a p/s pump or an AC compressor for next to nothing since a lot of guys have removed one or both of them.

tookwik

A little update:
There was def. some power steering fluid leaking from below the fluid reservior so I replaced that hose. During the process I spun the a/c pulley and it sounded so grindy that it was unbelievable... thus, my a/c bearing is shot. My 2 options would be to replace the entire a/c unit or have a new bearing put in it. I have no doubt that replacing the entire unit would be cheaper but I really don't have the time to put it in (unless it's easier to replace than it looks). I would much rather just put (or have somebody else put) a new bearing in the a/c pump. Is it possible to have a new bearing put in without removing the unit? What are your opinions?

-Taylor

DamonB

You just need to replace the a/c clutch. That can be done on the car without opening up the system.