"clicking" from top serpentine pulley

[famvan]

Folks,

Again, I don't know what the problem is or where to turn for reference to this problem, so I didn't use the search archive.

The problem is a definitive 'clicking' from under the hood, especially when idling, from what i believe to be the serpentine pulley, the uppermost one. You can see the pulley slide outward when the noise occurs. It only does it when the defrost mode is on. It will 'click' once about every 5-7 seconds, noticable from the cabin of the X, very noticeable from outside the truck. I did have a coolant leak from an engine gaskets (man, I feel numb) that was fixed (to the tune of about $500) and it seemed to go away after that, but now it's back. The coolant level seems good.

Any thoughts?

Thank you,
Steve

 

[EBInterceptor]

The AC clutch makes a clicking noise when it engages. And with the defrost on it will engage this. You can watch the clutch engage and see what causes it to make the noise when it snaps shut. Should be off to the drivers side down below some.

 

[Positive Vibes]

I agree. Its your AC. When the AC or defrost is on (at least in my '94) the AC cycles to keep the system pressurized during the winter months. Mine turns on and off now all the time cause my AC stuff (RF4 or something) leaked out.

 

[famvan]

Thanks Mike-

So I take it that it's normal for the clutch to engage/disengage. It seems loud to me, but maybe it's OK. I should have figured some sort of clutch, but again, it sounds loud.

Thanks for the help,
Steve

 

[Positive Vibes]

How often is it engaging and disengaging?

 

[famvan]

I initially said about 5-7 second intervals, but it might be more like 10 seconds or so. Is there a likely place for the AC gas to leak, or is it a crapshoot?

 

[EBInterceptor]

It's usually pretty loud. It's kind of like a jack-in-the-box. I watch it sometime and whenever it clicks in it always surprises me. If you turn your dials to just normal vent it shouldn't engage. Sounds like it's working normal to me. Mine engages and disengages frequently too when I'm idling.

 

[Positive Vibes]

You can take it to an auto shop and have them check it and recharge it. It would be really hard to find a leak. Plus I don't think there is anyway for us to charge it. It call a few places and see if they will check it for free or get a price and let us know.

*EDit* Then I guess that sound normal. Mines empty so I'm not sure but EBInterceptor seems to know.

 

[famvan]

Thanks for the help, all.

Living in Maine, and last night being around 11 degrees F, I'm in no hurry for the AC, but it looks like that is on "The List".

I'll post in a couple of months regarding an estimate and update on that issue...

Steve

 

[mikeh]

I had the same thing. There is a foam cover on your evaporator. The evaporator is the round thing on the passenger side of the engine compartment with AC lines going in and out of it. The evaporator rusts and leaks on your model truck after a few years. You can buy a recharge kit at Walmart for $25 but it is a waste as it will leak back out in a month or so. Replace evaporator and recharge the system with 134A and oil. About $400 at the dealer. Or don't worry about it until summer.

mikeh

 

[Don Ibod]

I'm not sure this a problem. It seems that most of them do it.