Hey guys. Had some recent decent rainfall and as such many local roads just became rivers. Had the choice to stay and likely become stranded or head home. Headed home, some points I'd say the water was above the foglight (possibly) and possibly causing a wave that I suspect reached the headlights (one of my headlights was missing a dust cover and as such had water in it.

Through all this I switched the AC off, traversed the water so that the bow wave formed against the outter edge of the front bumper.

Now, that was Wednesday night. drove to work thurs and fri, and a bit of driving saturday. Now, this morning there was a fair amount of noise coming from the engine bay. I suspect its coming from the AC compressor, as if I toggle the AC on an off with the button and the engine revs change and the compressor engages/disengages the tone and noise from the engine changes.

Could the compressor have been damaged? The system is still cold, so it's functioning. Is it likely to be something silly like a dirty belt?

The noise also gets less obvious once the engine warms up, and the noise from the engine on cold is probably louder than starting a diesel off-roader.

Any suggestions would be well appreciated.

I'd be getting under the car and making sure there's nothing seriously loose, or wrapped around something.

Aside from that, I have no idea where to start. Maybe the clutch that engages the a/c compressor has a drowned cat lodged in it?

I'd be getting under the car and making sure there's nothing seriously loose, or wrapped around something.

Aside from that, I have no idea where to start. Maybe the clutch that engages the a/c compressor has a drowned cat lodged in it?

Did have a quick look this morning, couldn't find any trees or wildlife in the belt. Hoping its a twig, nothing too bad has happened so far with my car. It's always been something loose or rubbing against something. Fingers crossed.

Did have a quick look this morning, couldn't find any trees or wildlife in the belt. Hoping its a twig, nothing too bad has happened so far with my car. It's always been something loose or rubbing against something. Fingers crossed.

Checked you don't have a loose belt? Could be one of the idler pullies has picked up some grit... but I think they're a sealed bearing.

I'd be getting to the bottom of it, just me. But, I understand that if one of those accessory belts lets go it can to all manner of expensive damage.

Didn't check the belt, can't check now as it'll probably wake the neighborhood once I have to start it. Tempted to give it a good wash out tomorrow morning, have breaky get ready while it drys out, then see how it goes.

Does seem strange that it changes with the AC compressor, really don't wanna pay for a new one of those to be put in.

My A/C did the same thing after driving through water. I removed pully and clutch off the a/c pump and found the bearing was stuffed and in need of replacing

Ac compressor is not that difficult. Couple of bolts. Replace it with a unit from a wrecker. 2 hour job.

Ac compressor is not that difficult. Couple of bolts. Replace it with a unit from a wrecker. 2 hour job.

I heard it was an engine-out job? Fuuuuu.

My A/C did the same thing after driving through water. I removed pully and clutch off the a/c pump and found the bearing was stuffed and in need of replacing

I'd be banking on it being a compressor bearing too

definitely not an engine out job I removed the pulley in myn in a about 10mins. I just have to go to a bearing place sometime soon and get another bearing for it. But that may not be your problem the best way to help to pin point the your problem would be to remove one belt at a time and then go from there

Take the belt off and run the car for a few seconds and see if the noise is gone, if it's gone its coming from that end.
Free turn the tensioners with your hand to see if they make any noise, then also try the A/C Compressor.
It can also be the clutch on the compressor slightly gripping even with the A/C off. I currently have that issue
havent gone around to fixing it yet. I suspect either electrical issue or some junk stuck between the clutch and
fly wheel of the A/C

Brother in law had that happen to his commodore. It was the A/C Compressor. He got a second hand one and fixed the problem.

Is a common issue for the clutch bearing in the aircon compressor to get wet and then make this noise, when the ac is running the noise will go away, when the ac is off then sounds like a supercharger

Dont bother with removing belts etc, when the comp cycles on and the clutch engages the noise should dissapear, if it does not the is not the ac compressor bearing

I have replacement (used) pulley and clutch set ups for the TE to early TH here, on your pulley you should notice there are several 8mm bolts holding the pulley on, if this is the case then it is replaceable