1991 Plymouth Voyager - A/C compressor noise

Discussion in 'Voyager' started by skip, Jul 20, 2003.

  1. skip

    skip Guest

    I have a 3.3 liter 1991 Plymouth Voyager with about 120,000 miles. It just
    started to make a loud noise under the hood. I hesitate to describe it. As
    a layman/backyard mechanic, my description might be misleading to those of
    you more experienced in fixing cars/vans. Anyway, I narrowed it down to the
    side of the engine with the alternator, water pump, and a/c compressor.
    When I take my ratchet and put one end on the a/c compressor and listen on
    the other end, the noise I hear is the same. It makes no difference whether
    or not the a/c is running or not. I think there is a clutch assembly on the
    end of the a/c compressor. Knowing nothing about such things, are there
    some sort of bearings in this clutch that could be bad? Note, my a/c works
    just fine, my oil pressure is good, and I'm not losing any radiator fluid
    (i.e., from the water pump indicating maybe the water pump is going bad). I
    guess what I'm wondering is how to further narrow down the problem, and
    could it possibly be this a/c compressor clutch assembly. Could some lube
    in this clutch assembly help. I'm way over my head and reaching a little
    here. Any help would be appreciated.

    When it rains it pours. I just replaced by rear brakes and then here comes
    this noise.

    Skip
     
    skip, Jul 20, 2003
    #1
  2. skip

    skip Guest

    I'm pretty sure the noise is the bearings in the A/C clutch.
     
    skip, Jul 21, 2003
    #2
  3. How about the water pump? Has it ever been replaced? When the water
    pump started to fail on my 1993 Voyager, it made a "grating" sound.

    -Kirk Matheson
     
    Kirk Matheson, Jul 21, 2003
    #3
  4. skip

    BACKNCARDR Guest

    How about the water pump? Has it ever been replaced? When the water
    Too add what Kirk has said-I just replaced a water pump on a 1993-the frikker
    was making the engine sound like a diesel from the pump bearing so shot. Tiny
    amount of coolant loss only. Owner was sure the rod bearings were gone in the
    engine. Heh.
    Respectfully submitted,

    Loren Knighton
    Woodland, CA.

    Under the hood since 1964
    Member TRNI IATN
    http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/trans_atf.html
    http://www.longmfg.com/web/longwebframework.nsf/home/web.trucool
     
    BACKNCARDR, Jul 21, 2003
    #4
  5. skip

    skip Guest

    Not sure. I've been out of town for a couple of days on business (using a
    company car) and had some time to think about it. I'm thinking that I can
    remove the a/c compressor belt and start the engine. If I still hear the
    noise, I'll look at the water pump. If the noise goes away, then it's the
    a/c compressor clutch.
     
    skip, Jul 23, 2003
    #5

  6. Since the 3.3 has a single belt for everything, I don't know if that
    will be possible.

    -Kirk Matheson
     
    Kirk Matheson, Jul 23, 2003
    #6
  7. skip

    skip Guest

    If that's so, maybe I can remove the a/c clutch from the compressor and then
    tell if it's shot by trying to operate it by hand. I'm not sure. Is it
    possible to remove it from the a/c compressor while the compressor is still
    on the vehicle?
     
    skip, Jul 24, 2003
    #7
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