Whining noise after belt change.

JamesBB said:

Just an update as I forgot to make one last month.
New idler fitted, bloody noise still there.

I am very sure it is coming from the AC compressor.

When I stripped it all down (to do more than the belt etc) I took the compressor completely off so I could access the rocker gaskets etc.
When I took it off it gave me the opportunity to change the O rings too, but as I turned it sideways some fluid leaked out of the holes, a very small amount - maybe 2 - 3 table spoons or so.

Could this be some compressor oil?
Checking Rave it uses 0.32 US pint of Sanden SP10.

I could "put" some back in via the holes it came from, but there also seems to be an oil plug.....

Could anybody advise on this please?

Found this for a Sanden compressor:
Compressor lubrication occurs as the oil which circulates with the refrigerant passes
through the compressor crankcase during operation. The Sanden SD series (not sure if LR uses this) compressor achieves optimal durability and cooling performance when oil circulates through the system at a ratio of 3.3% to 8% oil to refrigerant.

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brianp38dse said:

Yes oil added in refridgerant, but will probably not stop the whine there is a sealed bearing in the clutch pully, if the noise stops when you turn aircon on its the bearing.

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JamesBB said:

So all I can guess is the fluid leak I had was in fact some of the SP10 oil that does mix with the refrigerant. On top of that there is another very small oil chamber that lubes the cylinders. If the two are not interlinked then I am not sure why it is making a noise after losing oil from the refrigerant holes.

The noise is constant while the engine is running, AC on or off, clutch engaged manually or not.

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wammers said:

Has the system been recharged? You should NOT be running the aircon compressor unless there is gas pressure in the system. There is nothing to return the pistons and the push rods may fall out of the cam. In other words you could destroy the compressor.

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JamesBB said:

No, I need to re-charge it. I have not been running with the aircon on so hopefully I am ok as the clutch will not be engaged. Does the dual pressure switch inhibit the clutch engaging if there is no refrigerant?

Thanks

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wammers said:

Compressor should not run with no gas in the system, pressure switch should make clutch open circuit. The tag on the compressor with oil need means it must be a piston compressor, which needs separate oil in the crankcase from the oil in the system. A scroll compressor uses the oil from the system for lubrication a piston compressor needs oil in the crankcase just like an engine. Buy yourself a cheap mechanics stethoscope off eBay you should be able to find the problem easily with that.

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JamesBB said:

It has a Sanden TRS105 which seems to be a scroll compressor.

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