When my car idles and while driving there are rattling and hissing sounds but when I turn the A/C on the sounds stop. I believe that it comes from the front of the engine. I checked the belt and put belt dressing on to see if the hissing would stop but it wouldn’t. The sound is fairly loud; you can hear it from the inside of the car with the windows up. I hope I was able to describe this enough were someone can identify the problem. The car has 77k on it.
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97 Firebird, 3.8 5 spd -
My best guess would be the A/C clutch bearings are on the way out. I get that impression because when the a/c isn't on, the clutch freewheels on it's bearings. When the a/c is turned on, the clutch locks up and the assembly rotates on the compressor bearings. At least that's my best guess.......Originally posted by Zippo910
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Would I be able to replace just the clutch bearings or would I need to replace the whole thing?
thanks for the help.
97 Firebird, 3.8 5 spdComment
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you have to replace the clutch. To do so takes a special tool as well. It holds the center shaft still so that the clutch can be disassembled from the compressor.Originally posted by Zippo910Comment
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I had a similar problem like this on my other firebird, and now have it on my new one. I actually just made a thread about it. Does it idle hard when the AC is on? It feels like the engine is stressed heavily.Comment
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Originally posted by Iceslim0
The idle does change when I turn the A/C on but it’s not a sufficient change. I looked up your post, however I do not know what is causing your problem but I believe it is something different from mine; hopefully someone will be able to help you out.
97 Firebird, 3.8 5 spdComment
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