A/C compressor or pulley noise

[JD Cross]

I've read most of the many threads on this topic but still have questions.

I recently converted my 91 R12 to R 134a using the Honda kit.
The shop only put in half the Honda oil from the kit
I asked them to put all the oil in per the Honda instructions.

The A/C works flawlessly and is very cold.

However now I have a whirring sound when my A/C is on.
No sound when the A/C is off.

I understand the noise can be coming from:

The compressor.
The compressor pulley.
The idler pulley.

If the noise is coming from the compressor is it from a bearing inside the compressor or from the R134a pump itself?
Is the compressor rebuildable?

If it's from the compressor pulley can this pulley be rebuilt?

Help is appreciated
Thanks
jim

 

[dablackgoku1234]

How "bad" is the noise? I have a slight whine after replacing the compressor and converting to R134A.

The cost of rebuilding is not worth it. A brand new compressor with clutch is only $200. There is a R12 compressor (91-93) and a R134A compressor. Not sure if they are interchangeable, but I bought the 91-93 and put in R134A...which might have been a stupid move.

 

[JD Cross]

Talking to my NSX tech he advises if the noise only comes when the A/C is on then it's the compressor.
If it was the compressor pulley/clutch or idler pulley the noise would be constant.
He also advised only using an oem compressor

I'm going to try and find out if the R12 compressors are different inside than the R134a compressors

 

[Honcho]

Jim-

I am getting a whirring noise too, but only when it is cold and regardless of whether the compressor is on or off. I am having Acura replace my idler pulley (my compressor is only 4 years old) during my head gasket repair to see if this sorts it. I will let you know.

 

[JD Cross]

Jim-

I am getting a whirring noise too, but only when it is cold and regardless of whether the compressor is on or off. I am having Acura replace my idler pulley (my compressor is only 4 years old) during my head gasket repair to see if this sorts it. I will let you know.

My noise is only when everything is warm/hot. Looking forward to hearing what you learn.

 

[Onsoku]

Jim-

I am getting a whirring noise too, but only when it is cold and regardless of whether the compressor is on or off. I am having Acura replace my idler pulley (my compressor is only 4 years old) during my head gasket repair to see if this sorts it. I will let you know.

I have a similar issue; was it the pulley, or the compressor?

 

[Honcho]

I have a similar issue; was it the pulley, or the compressor?

It was the pulley. Replacing solved it.