Yet again, another issue... shock horror. 🤦‍♂️

 

Anyway, my air conditioning makes a horrible grinding noise which rises and drops with the revs. In my mind, this seems like a bearing of some sort.

 

In addition to this, it also smells mildly as if it's burning. This is a new issue that developed this morning. Therefore, I've stopped using the air conditioning in the car. 

 

What do yous with brains reckon it'd take to put this right? If it's expensive then I'll probably just cut my losses and punt the car on, or do without the conditioned air that I've grown attached to, haha.

 Does it do it on all speeds and with/without air-con being used - generally starts with 1st speed failing issue. Burning smell may be speed resistor "cooking", especially if the fan is tight due to a dry bearing as you assume. This resistor is sat in airflow so lack of air creates heat increase with the smell emanating from the vents.

15 minutes ago, KeithCheetham said:

Does it do it on all speeds and with/without air-con being used - generally starts with 1st speed failing issue. Burning smell may be speed resistor "cooking", especially if the fan is tight due to a dry bearing as you assume. This resistor is sat in airflow so lack of air creates heat increase with the smell emanating from the vents.

 

It's only with the air con running, all speeds. It goes off instantly when the air con is turned off. It's not my fan as it smells and runs fine when used without the air con.

Does it still function to provide cold air?

Just now, Breezy_Pete said:

Does it still function to provide cold air?

 

Oh yes, it does. However it also smells of burning (possibly rubber, or something) after a few minutes.

I think the auxiliary belt is slipping, hence the smell, have you topped it up using one of those Fisher Price DIY kits from the land of the rising Yuan?

I'd be hunting round the aux belt run carefully with a mechanic's stethoscope if I were you, trying to locate the noise source. 

Guess the compressor has had it, and that probably means game over for the A\C. Lucky (?) summer's almost over.

6 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

have you topped it up using one of those Fisher Price DIY kits from the land of the rising Yuan?

 

I'll admit, that took me a moment to understand some of that, but not everything?

 

Are you referring to replacing the belt? If so, it's the one that's been there since I purchased the car. The air con regas? That was done by Arnie Shark.

 

6 minutes ago, Breezy_Pete said:

Guess the compressor has had it, and that probably means game over for the A\C. Lucky (?) summer's almost over.

 

Yep, that's my guess too. I'll have a listen to it again, though. It's the same noise I was telling you about over WhatsApp, I believe.

Noise may not necessarily be connected to the smell.

 

My candidate for noise would be a failing shear plate on the compressor drive hub or the splines on their way out, the former is more a clattering clacking sqealing and the latter a loud tinkling like breaking glass more apparent when pulled up beside a wall or shopfront that can reflect the noise.

 

These auxiliary drive belts have such a large load transfer surface and efficient tensioner that they simply dont slip unless a n alternator, power steering or aircon pump has seized, in the latter case its the very substantial shear plate straps or rivets that let go before the belt could slip.