Aircon compressor whine after a hard run

[DaveyLC]

I took a friend out earlier for a 'brisk' drive, I stopped for a bit and the fan had cut in so I let the car cool down before turning it off. When I restated there was a distinctive whine constant with engine speed, I popped the bonnet and noticed it was coming from the A/C compressor, when I switch off the A/C (econ) the noise is gone.

I've not noticed any other issues with the A/C or fans.

Any ideas?

Cheers guys!

[Herman]

If it didn't do it before and from what you said started after a brisk drive, I would check again after the car had an overnight rest.

Could be as simple as a re-gas as named symptom seem to be related to heat build up and lack of lubrication.

[Malcolmr]

Whining seems to be a warning to you that the compressor may be ready to seize. I'll be posting soon about my own aircon experience which has involved three compressors - the original which seized solid and threw the belt thus requiring a flatbed truck trip home at vast expense, the replacement compressor which unforunately was installed by a garage who failed to flush the system and so suffered the "black death" (also at vast expense) and now the third one which is running well. The second one started whining after a while as the black death worked its grim work. The new compressor does not whine at all.

My car has now done 40,000 miles and the seizing of the aircon compressor seems to be a problem that can manifest itself around that mileage (depends how much you use it, or perhaps not use it, ie leave the ATC in Econ mode). My advice would be to replace any whining compressor with a new one from the US as soon as practicable before yours seizes and the cost of replacement escalates. Have a look at techchoiceparts.com - our FS10 compressors (new, not rebuilt or "remanufactured" as the Yanks call them) are half price just now ($US130)!! Search the site for 4.6 li Ford Mustang GT Mach 1 2004.

[ColinE]

There is a guy listing some 260 stuff on ebay at the moment who has them for £150 plus shipping

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/gtracingno1/m...&_trksid=p4340

[DaveyLC]

My car has now done 40,000 miles and the seizing of the aircon compressor seems to be a problem that can manifest itself around that mileage (depends how much you use it, or perhaps not use it, ie leave the ATC in Econ mode).

The car has done 60k miles and the previous owner tells me it was replaced not so long ago..

[Malcolmr]

Keep those fingers crossed and make sure your roadside recovery insurance is up-to-date!

[black olive]

bugger- I need a regas, and am suffering whine- do I spend a lump of the supercharger hoard on compressor, condenser, and labour, or just regas and hope for the best .

[J.Dubya]

Apologies guys, if I've posted this in the wrong place - I'm a bit new to the whole forum thing so not entirely clear on etiquette - but this 4 year old discussion seemed to be the most appropriate place to chip in with a quick novice question.

I have a suspect failing aircon compressor - gradual loss of cold air con over a 200 mile period, but a constant flow of very hot air into the cabin when the A/C is switched-off completely, then a strong smell of burning electric motor which occurred during the next journey (I originally thought it was the racer-boy next to me at the traffic lights in his Ford Fiesta - but the smell reappeared 40 miles later when I was stationary at the next set of lights!) and after a bit of investigation, a rattly front plate on the aircon pulley, which will turn by hand but no longer seems to rotate with the belt system....

So my main question is, can I drive the car a reasonable distance like this, as long as the Econ button is selected to disengage the aircon clutch? Or is a compressor seize now inevitable, a belt snap on the cards and an expensive afternoon with a man from the AA in my future? I'm just wondering if I dare use the car while I source the parts and pick a garage.

Thanks,
James

[re-tread]

Sounds like it could be the clutch on the compressor which has failed. The smell of burning rubber is the clue.

[J.Dubya]

Thanks Dave. It was a more metallic smell than burning rubber, but I think it's all semantics really. I don't know much about A/C compressors to be honest - so I'll take your guidance on it being the clutch on the compressor. That means new compressor presumably or can just the clutch be replaced? Biggest concern right now though is whether I should be covering any great distance in the car whilst the compressor is at death's door. Thoughts?