Air conditioner problem

[AXV]

So lately the weather is getting better; hot enough to actually use the air conditioner. Problem is, my air conditioner is making this pretty loud noise when it's on. I don't know how to describe it properly but it's like a knock(?). Loud enough for me to hear it inside the car. I'm not sure what is causing it. I had my water pump replaced sometime in December 2012 but not sure if that will cause it.

Hopefully someone knows what I am talking about. I want to keep AC as its my daily so removing it is not an option. Summer here gets pretty hot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbDrBmBd8aY&feature=youtu.be

I dunno why the video is vertical like that sorry.

[ultimateirving]

Does the a/c work, as in blow cold?
When the a/c is on what does the compressor clutch look like when your standing in front of the car?
Is it clunking itself?
you can have someone toggle the a/c switch while you watch to verify that it is operating smoothly.
Has the system ever been open or exposed to moisture?
has it ever been retrofitted?

[AXV]

Does the a/c work, as in blow cold?
When the a/c is on what does the compressor clutch look like when your standing in front of the car?
Is it clunking itself?
you can have someone toggle the a/c switch while you watch to verify that it is operating smoothly.
Has the system ever been open or exposed to moisture?
has it ever been retrofitted?

I will try to answer all of those.

Does the a/c work, as in blow cold? Yes
When the a/c is on what does the compressor clutch look like when your standing in front of the car? Not sure what its suppose to look like tbh
Is it clunking itself? I think so. It's not the engine
you can have someone toggle the a/c switch while you watch to verify that it is operating smoothly. I will get someone to do that and see
Has the system ever been open or exposed to moisture? Don't think so.
has it ever been retrofitted? Don't think so.

The car is stock and nothing has ever been pulled apart and messed around with. I got it from a old dude who was selling it because no room to store it in his new home. The AC worked before I got water pump replaced so I am a bit suspect of that. But maybe water pump has nothing to do with it. I didn't use the AC for a good 4 months but would it die so easily like that?

[ultimateirving]

The compressor has a belt that goes around the pulley. In the center of the pulley is the clutch, when the A/c is on the clutch is spinning just like the belt.
When the a/c is off, the clutch should be stationary, and u can verify because u can see it sitting still, the belt will still be moving around the pulley however.

If the a/c clutch is spinning but it looks like its freezing or hanging up that might be ur issue.
Its hard to diagnose sounds online so ill do my best.
Does the sound increase with RPM?
Does the sound change if you turn the slider to full blast(4) on the climate control box.
Is this an S13 or s14?

[AXV]

The compressor has a belt that goes around the pulley. In the center of the pulley is the clutch, when the A/c is on the clutch is spinning just like the belt.
When the a/c is off, the clutch should be stationary, and u can verify because u can see it sitting still, the belt will still be moving around the pulley however.

If the a/c clutch is spinning but it looks like its freezing or hanging up that might be ur issue.
Its hard to diagnose sounds online so ill do my best.
Does the sound increase with RPM?
Does the sound change if you turn the slider to full blast(4) on the climate control box.
Is this an S13 or s14?


I am getting the video off my phone as i type this so hopefully hearing the sound will be a bit more helpful identifying it.

I got my brother to man the buttons and switches as i was filming it. It looks like everything is spinning when the AC is off and when its on; but that may just be me not knowing exactly where to be looking at. On all blower settings 1~4 it is the same. When the gas pedal is pressed the sound goes away. so the sound is only there at idle.

So not really sure exactly whats going on....and its S13

[AXV]

video added

[ultimateirving]

Sounds more like something rubbing on your fan...

[AXV]

is it? What could it be? Because the sound goes away when i rev the engine :confused:

[ultimateirving]

Not a sound ive really heard before, check all around ur Fan shroud, see if anything has gotten in there. Changing of water pump(to my knowledge) should have no bearing whatsoever on the a/c side of things

[AXV]

Hmmmmmm alright! I will go give it another peek. Hopefully it's something easy that I can see. Mechanics charge an arm and a leg just to take a peek. :/