Air conditioning noise. quick fix?

[grimaceNMike]

The air conditioning system in my car is 22 years old, it still works fine in the summer but the a/c compressor's pulley makes a subtle noise. It's like an unlubricated bearing sound when the compressor is not engaged/free spinning, when I turn on the defrost or a/c the noise from the pulley is more noticeable.

 

Like I said it still puts out cold air and works alright and I am grateful for that but I would like the car to be a little more quiet under the hood, however, working on the air condition system kinda scares me. So I was wondering if I can remove the a/c drive belt for the winter time? Then hook it back up in the summer when I need it.

What are the ramifications of doing this? Is there a fuse or connection I should remove as well? Has anyone done this? Would it save gas?

 

I beleive the defrost setting uses air conditioning to help unfog the windows in the winter, but cars without a/c manage somehow, right?

 

Thanks!

[porcupine73]

Are you sure the noise isn't from the idler pulley? Those are known to fail. You could remove the belt. Or possibly just loosen it up and unplug the compressor so it doesn't try to turn on. The defrost settings do make the a/c run as it does on most makes. It does make a difference on those weird days when the inside of the windshield gets condensation on it.

 

I have a noisy a/c pulley on my '94 Legacy, but the a/c doesn't work anyway (condensor is leaking). Rather than just cut the belt I loosened it up so it's got just a little tension on it, and that keeps the pulley from making noise.

[Ibreakstuff]

Check the tensioner and belt first.

The defrost does benefit from the drying effect of the AC, it will still work just not as effective.

[idosubaru]

+1 verify where the noise is coming from first.  mechanics stethoscopes are ideal for this.  your description does seem to suggest the A/C but confirmation is good.

 

yes you can run it without the a/c compressor being driven, no big deal.

if you live in humid areas though the defrost won't dehumidify the air and it makes it hard to clear the windshield if it's fogging up.  if that's a common issue, take note.

 

people have replaced just the bearings on the a/c compressor clutch - that would be ideal - remove clutch and tap in some new bearings and done.  really easy.

 

don't let A/C scare you, it's actually very simple and easy to get right.

 

worst case install another compressor, install new orings on the lines that bolt to the compressor and refill the system with two cans of refrigerant - done.   no vacuum needed.

easy, quick, cheap, and Subaru a/c systems are so robust this is cake.

[grimaceNMike]

Thanks for the quick responses! Gary, thanks alot! I'll đo the bearings soon, in the meantime maybe I'll try removing the belt and see how it goes, now that i know i won't damage my compressor from inactivity. I won't be cutting the belt as it is new and i plan to use it again in the summer. My idler pulleys are new as well so i doubt that's my sound.

Again thanks!