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  #1  
Old 08-08-2003, 03:59 PM
DavieGravy DavieGravy is offline
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Howling sound agitated by AC

A while back, I complained of a howling noise (fading in and out depending on the pressure applied to the gas peddle) coming from my car. I was told to check the air filter and box and I did. They were both fine. I also checked various hoses and they were fine also. Harvey mentioned that I should check the pipe going up to the inlet manifold, which I haven't checked yet but intend to.

Anyway, here's the problem: Every time I turn on my AC, the howling sound becomes significantly worse and does so instantaneously. At low RPMs, it changes pitch a little bit with the car's speed. At high RPMs, the pitch is fairly constant as it fades in and out with peddle pressure. The sound is starting to get quite bad with the AC on. If I turn the ac off, the car is fairly quiet.

Does anybody know what might be the cause? Is it time to get the water pump, t-belt, and all that crap replaced?

Thanks.
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  #2  
Old 08-08-2003, 04:02 PM
JLittell
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Strange...Maybe it's causing stress on you power steering pump when you run the A/C? Is you pump in good shape?
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Old 08-08-2003, 04:04 PM
DavieGravy DavieGravy is offline
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No, it isn't. In fact, the noise kind of sounds like power steering.

Another strange thing also. That smoke problem I was talking about here only occurs on very hot days, with the AC on, and after the car has been ran for a long time. Could it be that the pump is leaking but only when the PS fluid is hot enough?

PS: Return hose is on order but I'm not sure it's the culprit.
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Last edited by DavieGravy; 08-08-2003 at 04:11 PM.
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  #4  
Old 08-08-2003, 04:06 PM
lee lee is offline
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bearings in the A/C compressor? Just went thru this with my son's MR2.
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Old 08-08-2003, 04:08 PM
DavieGravy DavieGravy is offline
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Possibly, but it does it a bit with the AC off. Just not as bad.
Could the AC be putting extra stress on the PS pump, causing it to leak and make this noise?
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Last edited by DavieGravy; 08-08-2003 at 04:17 PM.
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Old 08-08-2003, 04:28 PM
lee lee is offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by DavieGravy
Possibly, but it does it a bit with the AC off. Just not as bad.
Could the AC be putting extra stress on the PS pump, causing it to leak and make this noise?
don't know. His did make the sound but much less with the A/C off. it was the front set of bearings that the pulley rotates on, and when the A/C was turned on, the stress made the sound a lot louder. Not saying the SVX compressor is the same, as the brand is certainly different, just an idea.

edit: if you have a long ratchet extension you might want to try putting one end on various parts, the other to your ear. Alternately you could pick up an auto stethoscope - I found some cheap at a local Harbor Freight store & may be available at auto parts stores like Pep Boys or???.

Last edited by lee; 08-08-2003 at 05:35 PM.
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Old 08-08-2003, 09:49 PM
DavieGravy DavieGravy is offline
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OK, upon closer examination today, I was wrong about the noises. I've got the good old howliing sound and then a power steering-like noise when I put the AC on. Did your son's MR2 make a power steering-like noise when the bearing started to go? Or could it actually be the pump I'm hearing?

I just find it odd that the thing has only smoked and leaked PS when the AC has been run in hot, sunny weather for long periods of time. If a hose, such as the return or high pressure line, had a hole or slit in it, wouldn't it leak constantly?
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Old 08-09-2003, 06:23 AM
lee lee is offline
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it was an obnoxious sqeeking sound with the A/C off, and a bearing howl with the A/C on. I've been lucky enough to never have a power steering unit go bad in any car I've owned, so I can't compare noises.
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Old 08-09-2003, 12:04 PM
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Beav Beav is offline
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Uh... try taking the belt off and spinning the idler/tensioner bearing by hand. Any roughness at all is intolerable. Placing additional load on it by turning on the a/c will only make it worse.
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Old 08-09-2003, 03:47 PM
DavieGravy DavieGravy is offline
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Thanks, I will do that. I do know it wobbles a bit.
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