AC Noise - Urgent help required

[Owdjockey]

Hi, My 54 plate d4d with 249,000 has suddenly developed some "funny" noise almost like someting is catching. Its coming from the left side of the engine, in particular around the Cooler compressor area. The engine is running fine. My a/c conditioner gave up the ghost about 6 years ago and I did bother to locate and fix the leak. So the A/c has been redundant for the last 6 years. Anyway, if i turn the AC on from inside the car, the noise disappears!!

I'm off to Scotland in the morning and was hoping I could just leave the ac on for the entire journey? What could the noise be? Thanks in advance. Cheers

[gazza1286]

With the air con light off, the compressor pulley wheel merely spins. When switched on an electronic clutch connects the pulley wheel internally to the compressor pump. This will change the overall resistance of the pulley mechanism and must cause the noise to cease. I suspect that the pulley wheel bearing is worn/dry. Leaving the air con on may have a nominal effect on mpg. You could try spraying around the pulley wheel shaft with lithium spray or equivalent which might help. Removing the air con and/or fitting a shorter belt may not be worth the effort.  

[Owdjockey]

Cheers Gaz. I'll risk it and travel. I've done abit of research and already ordered the shorter 5pk1110 belt. Many thanks again.