Noisy AC compressor
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 768
Likes: 6
From: Newport Beach, Southern California
Noisy AC compressor
Hi,
I replaced my.AC compressor about 12 yrs ago. Since put bout 40,000 miles. Replaced it with.OEM brand new at local dealer, lifetime warranty.Paid bout.$1200 then.
Compressor is much louder since install to the point that it sounds like griding coffee in an old machine. I can hear it from inside car, outside is ridiculous.
i hear OEM.is discontinued.
AC works great, belts new no.leaking oil.
Any ideas?
How noisy is too.noisy?
Thanks
98, 6 spd, 98,000 miles
I replaced my.AC compressor about 12 yrs ago. Since put bout 40,000 miles. Replaced it with.OEM brand new at local dealer, lifetime warranty.Paid bout.$1200 then.
Compressor is much louder since install to the point that it sounds like griding coffee in an old machine. I can hear it from inside car, outside is ridiculous.
i hear OEM.is discontinued.
AC works great, belts new no.leaking oil.
Any ideas?
How noisy is too.noisy?
Thanks
98, 6 spd, 98,000 miles
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,762
Likes: 937
From: Orlando Florida
“Outside is ridiculous” sounds like it would cross the line for me. It’s O.E.M. with a lifetime warranty? My first thought is to see if the dealer will honor the warranty, and if so not worry too much about the replacement compressor. That said, I’d put better than even money on them saying you must also replace the condenser and drier at your cost.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,360
Likes: 1,127
From: Dyer, IN
Hi,
I replaced my.AC compressor about 12 yrs ago. Since put bout 40,000 miles. Replaced it with.OEM brand new at local dealer, lifetime warranty.Paid bout.$1200 then.
Compressor is much louder since install to the point that it sounds like griding coffee in an old machine. I can hear it from inside car, outside is ridiculous.
i hear OEM.is discontinued.
AC works great, belts new no.leaking oil.
Any ideas?
How noisy is too.noisy?
Thanks
98, 6 spd, 98,000 miles
I replaced my.AC compressor about 12 yrs ago. Since put bout 40,000 miles. Replaced it with.OEM brand new at local dealer, lifetime warranty.Paid bout.$1200 then.
Compressor is much louder since install to the point that it sounds like griding coffee in an old machine. I can hear it from inside car, outside is ridiculous.
i hear OEM.is discontinued.
AC works great, belts new no.leaking oil.
Any ideas?
How noisy is too.noisy?
Thanks
98, 6 spd, 98,000 miles
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 768
Likes: 6
From: Newport Beach, Southern California
Recently had all pulleys, tensioner,belts che ked and some replaced by a corvette guy. He said that some compressors are noisier than others and the older c3 models some are so loud makes mine quiet....
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,360
Likes: 1,127
From: Dyer, IN
Ok, well at this point the "corvette guy" has signifcantly more information than anyone on this forum does. I'm not sure what answers you expect, but you have not even posted a video.
Navigator
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Sounds like it's time to go to the dealer! Agree with others that they may try to weasel their way into your wallet by saying other things need to be replaced too. But there will be more things to replace if the compressor grenades so I would take it in and get things sorted before it completely fails.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,762
Likes: 937
From: Orlando Florida
That said, Lucky makes a very good point in being sure it's the compressor actually at fault. Would really suck to go through a compressor rigmarole to end up with a bad waterpump bearing.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 768
Likes: 6
From: Newport Beach, Southern California
The thing is: you've noted a large increase in noise volume. Regardless of whether C3 or Chrysler or other compressors are arguably louder the fact that your compressor noise has increased notably is not a good sign.
That said, Lucky makes a very good point in being sure it's the compressor actually at fault. Would really suck to go through a compressor rigmarole to end up with a bad waterpump bearing.
That said, Lucky makes a very good point in being sure it's the compressor actually at fault. Would really suck to go through a compressor rigmarole to end up with a bad waterpump bearing.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 80
Likes: 17
From: Cape Coral
I once had an AC with a bad pulley bearing that only made noise when the compressor was turned on. I was able to replace the pulley and the noise went away.
Last edited by sonata2.0T; Apr 24, 2026 at 11:43 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 50
From: Goldsboro NC
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 768
Likes: 6
From: Newport Beach, Southern California
Couldn't find invoice since it's 17 yo but a local dealer is trying to get it thru GM. Dunno what they gonna do since.OEM compressors are discontinued...
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 50
From: Goldsboro NC
