A/C compressor noise = clutch?

[HawkeyeScott]

2012 Acura TSX SE 2.4L has developed a noise that appears to be coming from the AC compressor.

The noise is loudest with the AC off. When you turn on the AC and the compressor cycles on, it quiets down. Compressor cycles off, it gets noisy again. This made it easy to trace the problem to the compressor.

But, is this the actual compressor? Is it the clutch? Low refrigerant? (Saw that suggested in another BITOG thread here; wouldn't have been my first thought.) Something else?

If it is the compressor, is there a decent non OEM brand? If it's a clutch, is that a DIY fix? Specialty shop? Is the rest of the compressor okay? Is there any Honda crossover here on parts? (So far, my search has turned up little on the OEM front besides a $1200 compressor and $440 clutch kit.)

Car has been great. Plan to keep it in the family fleet for the long run. That could affect how I invest in whatever issue this may be.

Thanks.

 

[Dborch41]

There's a good chance the sealed bearing in the clutch pulley is bad, a cheap mechanic's stethoscope might be helpful here but be careful around all those moving parts.

There are replacement clutches on Ebay and a YouTube search will likely have a video on how to remove it, but if you're going through all that trouble it might be worth just replacing the compressor assembly itself considering the vintage.

As far as brands, that's a whole other can of worms. OEM is always the best but usually much more expensive, and aftermarket is always a crap shoot. Rebuilds are rarely a good idea. My compromise has always been to find who actually makes the OEM part, and for Honda/Acura that's usually Denso but I couldn't find one on their website for your car. If you can get a good look at your existing compressor, see if you can find a label that identifies the manufacturer and go from their.

Again, I'd verify if that was the problem before all that work and expense. Time for some old-school troubleshooting.

 

[Nukeman7]

2012 Acura TSX SE has developed a noise that appears to be coming from the AC compressor.

The noise is loudest with the AC off. When you turn on the AC and the compressor cycles on, it quiets down. Compressor cycles off, it gets noisy again. This made it easy to trace the problem to the compressor.

But, is this the actual compressor? Is it the clutch? Low refrigerant? (Saw that suggested in another BITOG thread here; wouldn't have been my first thought.) Something else?

Your symptoms are classic signs that the bearings are failing on the A/C clutch pulley, not the compressor itself. When the clutch is energized (i.e., magnetically engaged), the pulley is not freewheeling; hence the noise reduction. While some clutches can be replaced in situ without removing the compressor from the engine bay, it is difficult or nearly impossible to do so on many Hondas/Acuras with the K24 engine. I had to remove the compressor to replace the A/C clutch assembly in a 2010 Accord with the K24 engine last summer. On that Accord, the snap ring capturing the pulley was inaccessible without removing the compressor. The aftermarket replacement clutch was ~$50 on Amazon.

 

[Chris142]

Pulley bearing. I recommend replacing the whole compressor with a new clutch already on it.

 

[HawkeyeScott]

Your symptoms are classic signs that the bearings are failing on the A/C clutch pulley, not the compressor itself. When the clutch is energized (i.e., magnetically engaged), the pulley is not freewheeling; hence the noise reduction. While some clutches can be replaced in situ without removing the compressor from the engine bay, it is difficult or nearly impossible to do so on many Hondas/Acuras with the K24 engine. I had to remove the compressor to replace the A/C clutch assembly in a 2010 Accord with the K24 engine last summer. On that Accord, the snap ring capturing the pulley was inaccessible without removing the compressor. The aftermarket replacement clutch was ~$50 on Amazon.

Watched a video on YT and thought the same on that inner snap ring. Just don't see how accessing it is possible with the compressor still mounted.

Stupid question - did you have to evacuate the entire system to pull the compressor off? And, could you send a link to the clutch kit you bought (and I trust is still working?)

Thanks for the info.

 

[Nukeman7]

Watched a video on YT and thought the same on that inner snap ring. Just don't see how accessing it is possible with the compressor still mounted.

Stupid question - did you have to evacuate the entire system to pull the compressor off? And, could you send a link to the clutch kit you bought (and I trust is still working?)

Thanks for the info.

I had to evacuate the system to fully remove the compressor from the vehicle. Once unbolted from the engine, I could manipulate it to access the very stout snap ring, but couldn't get enough leverage to remove it until it was on my workbench. Warning: The cast aluminum "snout" piece that the snap ring clips into is extremely fragile (don't ask how I know).

I updated Post #3 to include a link to the clutch kit for your 2012 Acura TSX. The 2010 Accord application used a different part #, but from the same brand. The A/C clutch/compressor is still working like new today.

 

[mk378]

noise that appears to be coming from the AC compressor.

The first step is to confirm that. Remove the belt and spin the compressor, idler, alternator, etc. by hand. They should be real quiet by hand-- any grinding or side play is bad.

If it is the compressor replacing the whole compressor is recommended.