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Post by gdouaire on Jun 6, 2021 12:15:21 GMT -6
Today I started hearing a weird noise from the passenger side of the engine. Sounds a bit like metallic grinding. Checked the oil level in the power steering pump, looked OK.
I then realized that when I switch the A-C on, the noise changes to something less intense. Back to off, the grinding noise starts again. Air is cold from the A-C so it still works ok.
Is this a common failure mode for the A-C compressor? I mainly heard of brutal scenarios for Northstar engines where the A-C compressor suddenly seizes and thrashes the belt.
The car is at 245,000km on the original compressor, so, failure is expected.
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Paulaurora
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Post by Paulaurora on Jun 6, 2021 15:47:01 GMT -6
Might be other things but ye it can be pulley or the compressor it self but better to diag.
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Post by gdouaire on Jun 6, 2021 16:15:07 GMT -6
by pulley, you mean the tensioner?
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RCA1186
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Rob
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Post by RCA1186 on Jun 7, 2021 7:04:32 GMT -6
More than likely the compressor. Usually the bearing. I've had it happen twice on two different Auroras. Usually was able to keep driving for a couple of days but it will get worse. The bearing itself is serviceable, I know someone on here did it before. I think maybe Sall. Both times I just put in a new compressor.
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Paulaurora
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Post by Paulaurora on Jun 7, 2021 12:52:25 GMT -6
by pulley, you mean the tensioner? yes bearing itself that is repackable without replacing the compressor. |
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Post by gdouaire on Jun 23, 2021 11:14:00 GMT -6
Got a brand new A/C compressor, got an appointment to have it installed (they could not get a compressor through their usual supplier - "Aurora was only built a few years" they said, but they missed something, since the compressor is used on several other N*-powered car. but whatever.).
I was expecting a call earlier today, but no call; and then, I dropped by to say hello to the mechanic (the garage is really near) and he said it was a very complicated job - the alternator had to go out, etc.
Quite surprised. I am thinking a) they either don't know what they are doing, or b) they ran into an issue and made the job complicated. From the shop manual, the compressor has to come through the front wheel well, it's supposed to be a 5-bolt, 2-hose, 1-wire job.
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Post by Marc on Jun 23, 2021 14:07:16 GMT -6
I am thinking a) they either don't know what they are doing, or b) they ran into an issue and made the job complicated. You might be right. |
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Paulaurora
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Post by Paulaurora on Jun 23, 2021 18:57:07 GMT -6
i can send you pages how its done and you can see everything ur self sounds to me like they want more $. P/m me your email if you like
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RCA1186
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Rob
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Post by RCA1186 on Jun 24, 2021 6:09:49 GMT -6
Alternator should not need to come out.
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Post by AmunRoo on Jul 8, 2021 14:25:06 GMT -6
The alternator does not have to come out. But for a shop with not too much experience with these engines, it's going to look like a nightmare to them. There's a lot of good help to videos on YouTube for that compressor just look up for Cadillac DeVille.
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Post by gdouaire on Jul 9, 2021 5:20:34 GMT -6
Yeah, they had looked it up in their reference, the standard time for the AC compressor change on a Aurora was one hour. Their conclusion was not "we must have done something wrong so that it took us four hours", but rather "that time estimate was wrong"...  Anyways, they did a good job, even if the way they did it was not efficient: they pressure-tested the system, added some missing gas, and now it works much better that it used to. It ended up costing 300$ for the compressor, and 500$ for labour and refrigerant gas. Not that bad - much better than having a compressor bearing seize while I am driving the car far away from home  |
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