Hi all,

My 4 cyl 97 Camry LE started having weird noice when I engage AC. If I do it when on park idline for a few seconds from normal engine sound 'frrrrrr' ir goes to "trrrrrrrrr', almost fine rattling-like noice and after few seconds goes back to normal "frrrrrrt" wile AC is on. When I rev up the engine it immediately swithcer back to ratlling noice and stays. While in Drive - same thing happens, especiallywhen i start accelerating let's say from a stop light - that's when i hear this noce the most - however, when the car gains speed the sound dissipates back to normal. None of the noises affect the Ac as the air comes cool. Anyone has an idea what causes this sound? is my Ac compressor about to go? Any feedback will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Andrei_

it's hard to say really. If it is a 'rattling' as you have described, it could very well be the compressor bearings are going. Open the hood maybe and see if you can isolate the noise to the AC compressor itself. If the bearings are shot, starting up the AC would put a extra load beyond normal initially on the engine wich is possibly the symptom you hear. It would be best to have it looked at now before the summer months when you really need it. ;)

dave mc

Hey Dave - thanks for your feedback. I was suggested the same trying to find out the nice origin maybe with a rubber hose/tube or something. I thought of the hot summer too ;) so that's why I'm concerned as I have 5 yo to ride in it. Now, knowing it is the AC compressor for sure can I just get a supposedly OK one from junk yard and armed with a haynes books and install it myself? Looks like a straightforward job to me (well, maybe except the belt placement after and discharging the condenser before I remove it) ot it's best to have a pro do it?

Many thanks,
Andrei_

it's hard to say really. If it is a 'rattling' as you have described, it could very well be the compressor bearings are going. Open the hood maybe and see if you can isolate the noise to the AC compressor itself. If the bearings are shot, starting up the AC would put a extra load beyond normal initially on the engine wich is possibly the symptom you hear. It would be best to have it looked at now before the summer months when you really need it. ;)

dave mc

... can I just get a supposedly OK one from junk yard and armed with a haynes books and install it myself? Looks like a straightforward job to me (well, maybe except the belt placement after and discharging the condenser before I remove it) ot it's best to have a pro do it?

No, you really need to have a pro do it since there are lots of tools and knowledge/procedures involved for AC work. If the compressor needs replacing, then it is also recommended that the dryer/receiver and expansion valve be replaced at the same time. This is necessary because a compressor that goes can spew a lot of contamination thru the system. When they open it up, they usually flush the whole thing to be sure. A used compressor is not a good idea unless you are performing the labor yourself and can take the chance that you may need to rip the system apart again if the used one is no good. Do get it diagnosed first though since if it is not the compressor internally and just the clutch bearing or something like that, then you can maybe avoid replacing the compressor. Otherwise you are looking at a $700-$1k repair bill for the AC possibly. Sorry for that bad news. :crying:

dave mc

....jeez...auch!!!! Where is my handkerdhief .... :shakehead thanks for heads up, got to do something bout it soon!