AC Compressor Walking heavily, but not broken

BlueWaterMetallic · 11-09-2023, 12:49 PM

Hi all, I noticed a couple of months ago that my AC compressor pulley was wobbling a little bit. I didn't think much of it until now, where it is seriously moving. However, there is no sound of squeaking or rubbing and the AC works beautifully. Should I replace for fear of it slipping out and the engine consuming the belt or wait till something truly breaks?

also a lot of the pulleys have already been replaced under my ownership

Alternator, tensioner+idlers too.

also if the belt shreds i have my oil pan gasket+crank seal under warranty so it should be covered if the belt breaks off again

Thanks, RS

mainbearing · 11-09-2023, 03:53 PM

I would not wait for the belt to break, and I do not think crank seal failure caused by a broken belt will be covered under crank seal's warranty.

If the shear blocks inside the compressor pulley is failing, you can try to see if replacement shear blocks can be sourced off eBay. Given how little information is available on such parts, you may have to get a new compressor. These are direct-drive compressors AFAIK, so there is no bearing in the pulley.

11-09-2023, 12:49 PM	#1
BlueWaterMetallic Private 12 Rep 67 Posts Drives: BMW 335i sedan, RS7 2023 Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: knoxville, Tn iTrader: (0)	AC Compressor Walking heavily, but not broken Hi all, I noticed a couple of months ago that my AC compressor pulley was wobbling a little bit. I didn't think much of it until now, where it is seriously moving. However, there is no sound of squeaking or rubbing and the AC works beautifully. Should I replace for fear of it slipping out and the engine consuming the belt or wait till something truly breaks? also a lot of the pulleys have already been replaced under my ownership Alternator, tensioner+idlers too. also if the belt shreds i have my oil pan gasket+crank seal under warranty so it should be covered if the belt breaks off again Thanks, RS
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11-09-2023, 03:53 PM	#2
mainbearing Lieutenant Colonel 1094 Rep 1,695 Posts Drives: BMW 328i Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	I would not wait for the belt to break, and I do not think crank seal failure caused by a broken belt will be covered under crank seal's warranty. If the shear blocks inside the compressor pulley is failing, you can try to see if replacement shear blocks can be sourced off eBay. Given how little information is available on such parts, you may have to get a new compressor. These are direct-drive compressors AFAIK, so there is no bearing in the pulley.
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