Consensus: Is the AC Pulley replaceable?

e90 Second Incarnate · 02-20-2020, 05:05 PM

Hi All,

I recently had a clicking noise coming from the AC Compressor. As the motor runs, the AC pulley appears to move back and forth, each time making the click sound.

For the time being, I have bypassed the AC Compressor with the shorter belt. The compressor seems to spin just fine, definitely not seized.

On Ebay today, I found a seller that is selling a reman "pulley/clutch" unit, even though I was under the impression from researching here that the pulley assembly was not replaceable. It appears to be an insulated two piece pulley, with a rubber "guibo" in between.

Any experiences with having the pulley go bad and being able to replace that?

Many thanks in advance!

trb1 · 02-20-2020, 05:41 PM

Yes it is. Although you’re better off buying a used compressor on eBay. The quality of the bearings I found on eBay or all over the internet are trash. I ended up doing the bearing 3 times before I just bought a new compressor.

By new compressor, I mean I bought a used OEM one on eBay for $100 with 40k miles on it.

e90 Second Incarnate · 02-20-2020, 06:01 PM

I did think the route of a used compressor, and just swap pulleys, until I know I need a different compressor. I'm trying to avoid the hassle of opening up the AC system, such as taking to a mechanic to evacuate, the risk of moisture getting inside the lines during the swap, the recharging of the system, etc.

Can you briefly explain how you removed the pulley? Were you able to do it with the compressor mounted, or did you have to pull it?

streetpro · 02-21-2020, 04:40 AM

There is a large diameter, thin wall bearing (usually JAP made) that is hard to find in oem quality... plus you need C-clip pliers, not sure if you could get it off "in situ"...

trb1 · 02-22-2020, 08:57 AM

Nope. You’ll have to pull the compressor. It’s a total bitch in the car. There’s a C clip that you have to remove, you can’t spin the compressor shaft out without locking the pulley in place in a vice or buying the special tool (which will need a drill), and you’ll have to tap the old pulley off. Plus. I couldn’t find a pulley that was the correct size, so I ended up using new bearings and having to press them in to the old pulley. It’s a giant shit show. Just pay someone for an AC recharge, but have them evacuate, go swap compressors, then have them fill it back up.

02-20-2020, 05:05 PM	#1
e90 Second Incarnate Enlisted Member 8 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: SF Bay Area, California iTrader: (0)	Consensus: Is the AC Pulley replaceable? Hi All, I recently had a clicking noise coming from the AC Compressor. As the motor runs, the AC pulley appears to move back and forth, each time making the click sound. For the time being, I have bypassed the AC Compressor with the shorter belt. The compressor seems to spin just fine, definitely not seized. On Ebay today, I found a seller that is selling a reman "pulley/clutch" unit, even though I was under the impression from researching here that the pulley assembly was not replaceable. It appears to be an insulated two piece pulley, with a rubber "guibo" in between. Any experiences with having the pulley go bad and being able to replace that? Many thanks in advance! __________________ 2008 335i 6MT FBO 2009 Tacoma TRD Sport A whole quiver of motorcycles, dirt and street, vintage and modern
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-20-2020, 05:41 PM	#2
trb1 Private First Class 67 Rep 128 Posts Drives: 09 335i Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Grand Rapids, MI iTrader: (0)	Yes it is. Although you’re better off buying a used compressor on eBay. The quality of the bearings I found on eBay or all over the internet are trash. I ended up doing the bearing 3 times before I just bought a new compressor. By new compressor, I mean I bought a used OEM one on eBay for $100 with 40k miles on it. Last edited by trb1; 02-20-2020 at 05:52 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-20-2020, 06:01 PM	#3
e90 Second Incarnate Enlisted Member 8 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: SF Bay Area, California iTrader: (0)	I did think the route of a used compressor, and just swap pulleys, until I know I need a different compressor. I'm trying to avoid the hassle of opening up the AC system, such as taking to a mechanic to evacuate, the risk of moisture getting inside the lines during the swap, the recharging of the system, etc. Can you briefly explain how you removed the pulley? Were you able to do it with the compressor mounted, or did you have to pull it? __________________ 2008 335i 6MT FBO 2009 Tacoma TRD Sport A whole quiver of motorcycles, dirt and street, vintage and modern
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2020, 04:40 AM	#4
streetpro Second Lieutenant 87 Rep 236 Posts Drives: e92 335iA Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Prague iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 Bmw e92 335iA [0.00]	There is a large diameter, thin wall bearing (usually JAP made) that is hard to find in oem quality... plus you need C-clip pliers, not sure if you could get it off "in situ"... __________________ "If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough.” Mario Andretti
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-22-2020, 08:57 AM	#5
trb1 Private First Class 67 Rep 128 Posts Drives: 09 335i Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Grand Rapids, MI iTrader: (0)	Nope. You’ll have to pull the compressor. It’s a total bitch in the car. There’s a C clip that you have to remove, you can’t spin the compressor shaft out without locking the pulley in place in a vice or buying the special tool (which will need a drill), and you’ll have to tap the old pulley off. Plus. I couldn’t find a pulley that was the correct size, so I ended up using new bearings and having to press them in to the old pulley. It’s a giant shit show. Just pay someone for an AC recharge, but have them evacuate, go swap compressors, then have them fill it back up.
	Appreciate 0 Quote