[mgrace74]

I am hoping someone else has seen or heard of this problem. My wife just came home tonight and our 04 Odyssey is making a loud metallic grinding noise when the A/C or Heat is on. The noise is coming from the front left (while looking at the car) part of the engine where the belts are. When we turn the climate control to 90, the sounds stops, but as soon as it is on 89 or below the sounds starts again.

Has anyone seen or heard of this problem before? Thanks in advance.

 

[OdyinNH]

Sounds like the A/C compressor. Watch the middle of the pulley, you should see it cycle off and on. If it makes noise only when the middle is spinning then it's bad and you are in for some bucks. Sometimes when it gets to this point it means you have debris moving around your a/c lines...bad news.

 

[mgrace74]

That doesn't sound good. I'll take it in to have it looked at. Thanks.

 

[Dougatoms]

Difficult to diagnose but from what you have described, I'd say the AC compressor clutch has worn out. I replaced mine after about 8 years of service (190k miles). This cost about $100 in parts and I did it without removing the compressor from the car. Just had to unmount the compressor and replace the clutch. Used a dial indicator to set the proper shim spacing to get the specified throw.

 

[02honda02]

Replaced Clutch

I replaced the clutch assembly also. At first I was not sure what was making the sound. I took off the serpentine belt and spun the ac pulley by hand. It was clearly the problem because it was making a gravely sound. I dismounted the compressor and replaced the clutch in about an hour without removing it from the vehicle. The clutch was actually fine but there is a bearing that slides onto the compressor that was shot.

Hope this helps

 

[mgrace74]

That does help. I may try that first. The mechanics we took the van to yesterday told us it was the A/C compressor and unplugged the fuse for now. They recommend the following to fix:

A/C Compressor - 511.90
PTG Compressor R&R - 125.69
Evaporator Core - 238.80
PTG Evaporator Core R&R - 242.41

$100 for the clutch seems like a worth while start to try to avoid the cost of replacing the whole compressor though. Thanks.

 

[mgrace74]

I also forgot to mention that this is correct. The noise only happens when the compressor is spinning.

Sounds like the A/C compressor. Watch the middle of the pulley, you should see it cycle off and on. If it makes noise only when the middle is spinning then it's bad and you are in for some bucks. Sometimes when it gets to this point it means you have debris moving around your a/c lines...bad news.

 

[SuperDad]

If I understand the system correctly, if its only noisy with the compressor engaged, then the pulley bearing isn't your problem. The pulley bearing would actually be stopped(relative) when the compressor clutch is engaged(pulley locked to shaft).

 

[OdyinNH]

Yep, I agree with you. If it were to be a bearing it would be the compressor one not the clutch one me thinks.