A/C Clutch Chatter

TheEdgeofSanity · 10-06-2012, 12:31 AM

my 2000 malibu has a a/c compressor that looks very similar to the one that was on my alero - in fact they use the same exact clutch according to rock auto. the issue is when the engine is warm or on humid days, the clutch chatters and in some cases it continuously screeches.

my alero used to do this and my mechanic "tightened it up" and the noise was gone and the compressor worked flawlessly.

only problem is my mechanic retired and now that my malibu is doing it, I took it back to the same shop and the new mechanic without even looking at it told me I need a new clutch assembly. I call BS on it.

anybody know how to remedy this issue without it costing an arm and a leg?

sleepyalero · 10-06-2012, 01:55 AM

a/c delete.

i mean, you could either ignore it, delete it, or replace it. i believe thats the only options you have.

me.. i'd do a/c delete. (i plan on doing it anyway i dont use the damn thing 99% of the time)

billytheman1188 · 10-06-2012, 02:58 AM

try tightening it....lol. on the alero you have to take the passenger wheel off and remove the plastic pieces in the wheel well that cover where the engine is. Then you can get to the compressor and tighten it up....then start it and see if it still does it. 3 bolts that hold it on....i believe their like 15mm....maybe 18? idk i forget. Too many bolts in the past couple months...lol. Hopefully that helps ya.

RalphP · 10-06-2012, 10:16 AM

Actually, it may be an air gap adjustment.

Copying the pertinent parts from my DVD copy of the service manual:

Quote:

Place a feeler gage between the clutch plate and the clutch rotor.

Tighten the hex portion of the hub and drive plate installer until the air gap between the clutch plate and clutch rotor is 0.40 mm (0.015 in).
Make sure that the air gap is even all around the clutch plate and hub assembly.

Dunno why a mechanic would turn down being able to do just that instead of a complete replacement.

RwP

a.graham52 · 10-06-2012, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RalphP

Actually, it may be an air gap adjustment.

Copying the pertinent parts from my DVD copy of the service manual:

Dunno why a mechanic would turn down being able to do just that instead of a complete replacement.

RwP

Because they just don't want to mess with it.