Hey all,

My car has been sitting around for a few months being I was involved in an accident and am not able to drive a manual. When I first got out of hospital, I started it to run the air con and just let the motor run for a bit...
As I turned on the air con, it sounded like rocks crunching and does this every time now. Quite unnerving! Any thoughts as to whats going on and if I can do anything to stop it?

Thanks

Surely someone has some clue? Somewhere I should aim some lubrication? Any thoughts would really be appreciated!

Surely someone has some clue? Somewhere I should aim some lubrication? Any thoughts would really be appreciated!

Stab in the dark says air con clutch bearing has departed this world.
Does the air con still produce cold air?

No is a common issue, is to do with the compressor it self and should be replaced before it lets go all together and ends up filling the system with ground up metal

No is a common issue, is to do with the compressor it self and should be replaced before it lets go all together and ends up filling the system with ground up metal

+1

Noise with aircon OFF = external bearing.
Noise with aircon ON = internal bearing.

If it lets go and fills the system with metal debris, nothing can fix the aircon system short of replacing most components in it - compressor, hoses, expansion valve, condenser, evaporator. Gets expensive!

Probably too late now anyway.

So if its a common issue, how do I go about get my hands on a good one? Any tips? Or just make sure I get myself a warranty with the compressor?
Either it was a massive coincidence or sitting stationary had a hand in its demise. Because I never had a problem before it sat around...
As for "Probably too late now", are you suggesting my system isnt going to last even if I stop using the air con till I change it? And my research suggests I can use anything in between a TJ and TW, if someone could confirm this, Id appreciate it!
It would be the internal bearing based on what youve said.

So the awful crunching has ceased and the Air con is working as per usual. Can anyone make sense of this? No new noises or any difference to regular working behaviour...
Should it be good to keep running like this?

I've noticed the aircon on my cars make a noise when used after a time of non-use, but it is more a clunk than a crunch. That clunk is due to the metal clutch faces getting some surface rust or dirt on the clutch face, wears off after a few on/off cycles. Quite harmless, if that is the noise you heard, it is not a problem despite my earlier doom and gloom predictions. lol

Failing bearings will just get worse over time, but sounds like you are good to go if the noise has gone.

Thanks Max. You answered my question from a post about a year ago. Got no replies to the post but now my clunk (when turning on A/C) when first using the car after a few weeks now makes sense.

Haha, I did support your theory being the sound was so rough. A lot more than a clunk. Though I guess if it is more than the surface rust/dirt, it will probably come back. Guess I will see what happens. Being on one leg and not having much ability to work on a car, I was dreading a summer without a/c. So pretty happy I took a stab and checked it again.

Appreciate your help as always!