My kid is out in Cali ( I'm in Florida ), couple months ago, the engine started to make a noise. Took it in to a shop, they said it was the A/C compressor and for her to not run the A/C so nothing internal would get contaminated. So she hasn't.
Now to today, SUV wont start. Towed to same shop as above. They told her " the A/C compressors front bearing/pulley locked up causing the no start, but nothing internal was damaged so no worry for contaminates". They recommend a new compressor and belt.
The Rogue's clutch on the compressor is replaceable, so doesn't it make sense the noise that was heard originally was the bearing in the clutch and now it finally locked up? I don't know for sure if the Rogues compressor has the bearing in it or if in fact its at the front of the compressor ( if its at the front of the compressor, ok I can see a new compressor ), does anyone know? I know its really hard to say what the original noise was.
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Yes - there is indeed a bearing at the front of the compressor - it’s what the pulley for the belt runs on.
This pulley is simply an idler - UNTIL - a/c is selected - then the electric clutch engages to the pulley which turns the actual compressor shaft and internal components.
Pushrod - So yes, the clutch assembly rides on a bearing, so if it did fail, that would lock up the pulley the belt rides on causing the engine not to start. I know for testing purposes, the engine starts as soon as the belt is removed.
If the bearing on the clutch is locked up, that would mean it would just spin continually with the compressor right? Like you said, the pulley on the compressor is an idler pulley till engaged, so if the bearing locked up on that pulley, it would act like the a/c was engaged and work the compressor.
But if the bearing inside the compressor failed, wouldnt the idler pulley continue to spin freely?
The bearing is ONLY for the pulley itself - therefore if the bearing locks up - so does the pulley .. The front compressor ‘clutch’ disc is doing nothing at all UNTIL a/c is switched on - then the front clutch disc is pulled into the pulley magnetically so the compressor shaft and internal components also begin to rotate.
IF the pulley and bearing were in good shape - the actual clutch dsc could be removed and throw in the trash - vehicle would continue normal operation - just without a/c ..
A simple test is manually rotating the clutch disc on the very ‘front’ of the compressor - engine off of course - IF that disc does not rotate - the compressor itself is locked up!
Without *hands-on* evaluation - that about all the ammo I have.
IF this damage is sever enough - compressor replacement is required - however there are specific procedures that must be followed for that replacement - it is not a simple parts swap!
I think Im on same page as you..
"The bearing is ONLY for the pulley itself - therefore if the bearing locks up - so does the pulley .." ------------------------ and if this happens belt cant spin causing the no start issue. ( belt was removed and it started right up ).
Ok, Ill give her a call, I think I can walk her thru trying to rotate it, if not hopefully her boyfriend can.
Yea I know its hard to diag without seeing it. I love the calls she gives me and says my car is acting up whats wrong with it lol Im on the other side of the the US kid...
Also yes, I know about changing out the drier, pag oil, filling compressor, she will have a tech work on it, Im just looking out for her and making sure its the compressor and not just the clutch and/or pulley.
I appreciate all the info man, I hope you have a great weekend!
Hey Pushrod, hopefully you made it through the weekend. :)
Have some results from the kids testing tonight:
Pulley does not move at all
Clutch moves, but they said not freely, needs force.
So clutch hard to move cause pulley if frozen or clutch hard to move cause compressor is shot? I guess there is no really way of knowing unless its pulled. Bearing from pulley can be so shot, its causing restrictions to compressor shaft cause the force needed to turn the clutch.
Well the clutch disc will have ‘some resistance’ when trying to rotate - the fact that it does rotate is a good sign the pulley may indeed be the only failure - it is kinda rare but it happens.
I will add it is uncommon for the ‘bearing’ to fail instead of the compressor..
Exposed view of a/c compressor: http://www.mistelectro.com/exploded_view_diagram_of_a_ac_clutch.php This should help with understanding how it works.
Pushrod - So yes, the clutch assembly rides on a bearing, so if it did fail, that would lock up the pulley the belt rides on causing the engine not to start. I know for testing purposes, the engine starts as soon as the belt is removed. If the bearing on the clutch is locked up, that would mean it would just spin continually with the compressor right? Like you said, the pulley on the compressor is an idler pulley till engaged, so if the bearing locked up on that pulley, it would act like the a/c was engaged and work the compressor. But if the bearing inside the compressor failed, wouldnt the idler pulley continue to spin freely?
The bearing is ONLY for the pulley itself - therefore if the bearing locks up - so does the pulley .. The front compressor ‘clutch’ disc is doing nothing at all UNTIL a/c is switched on - then the front clutch disc is pulled into the pulley magnetically so the compressor shaft and internal components also begin to rotate. IF the pulley and bearing were in good shape - the actual clutch dsc could be removed and throw in the trash - vehicle would continue normal operation - just without a/c .. A simple test is manually rotating the clutch disc on the very ‘front’ of the compressor - engine off of course - IF that disc does not rotate - the compressor itself is locked up! Without *hands-on* evaluation - that about all the ammo I have.
IF this damage is sever enough - compressor replacement is required - however there are specific procedures that must be followed for that replacement - it is not a simple parts swap!
I think Im on same page as you.. "The bearing is ONLY for the pulley itself - therefore if the bearing locks up - so does the pulley .." ------------------------ and if this happens belt cant spin causing the no start issue. ( belt was removed and it started right up ). Ok, Ill give her a call, I think I can walk her thru trying to rotate it, if not hopefully her boyfriend can. Yea I know its hard to diag without seeing it. I love the calls she gives me and says my car is acting up whats wrong with it lol Im on the other side of the the US kid... Also yes, I know about changing out the drier, pag oil, filling compressor, she will have a tech work on it, Im just looking out for her and making sure its the compressor and not just the clutch and/or pulley. I appreciate all the info man, I hope you have a great weekend!
These kids .. I’m with ya on that subject! ... Likewise on the great weekend!
Hey Pushrod, hopefully you made it through the weekend. :) Have some results from the kids testing tonight: Pulley does not move at all Clutch moves, but they said not freely, needs force. So clutch hard to move cause pulley if frozen or clutch hard to move cause compressor is shot? I guess there is no really way of knowing unless its pulled. Bearing from pulley can be so shot, its causing restrictions to compressor shaft cause the force needed to turn the clutch.
Well the clutch disc will have ‘some resistance’ when trying to rotate - the fact that it does rotate is a good sign the pulley may indeed be the only failure - it is kinda rare but it happens.