Engine Failure Impostor to watch for...

[SilverBullet75]

I just about had a heart attack yesterday when I heard a strange whirring and knocking noise from my engine. I pulled into the garage and my heart sank when I revved the engine and heard the dreaded "rod knock". It was accompanied by the whirring of an intermittent spinning of what sounded like a spun rod bearing.

Now... for the rest of the story.
I pulled the belt off today to double check and eliminate any pulleys.
See video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCx6GVuJIvc

If you are hearing "rod knock", pull the belt to isolate the internals of the engine.
This is just another thing to watch for, along with the timing belt tensioner.

So.... question: has anyone removed and replaced the bearing in the compressor clutch before? I've seen Youtube videos on how to press it out.

Thanks!
JIM

[SilverBullet75]

I bought an 8" three-arm puller from Harbor Freight for $20.
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-three...ler-69224.html
Had to remove the radiator and fan, but it pulled the pulley off easily (have to remove 10mm bolt, clutch disk, and snap ring first though... and don't lose the shim(s)).

I'm now in search of a new bearing.
The original one poured all the balls onto the floor when I pulled the pulley out.
There was no trace of the plastic from the bearing left.

I have a lead on a bearing... going to stop by after work today.
I'll update the thread with the part number when I find the right one.

Next step will be to find a shop that will press out the old bearing and install the new one into the pulley.

[tom4bren]

I bought an 8" three-arm puller from Harbor Freight for $20.
Had to remove the radiator and fan, but it pulled the pulley off easily (have to remove 10mm bolt, clutch disk, and snap ring first though... and don't lose the shim(s)).

I'm now in search of a new bearing.
The original one poured all the balls onto the floor when I pulled the pulley out.
There was no trace of the plastic from the bearing left.

I have a lead on a bearing... going to stop by after work today.
I'll update the thread with the part number when I find the right one.

Next step will be to find a shop that will press out the old bearing and install the new one into the pulley.

I've got the old fan clutch that was replaced after the accident. Lemme know if all or pieces would help you out.

[SilverBullet75]

Thanks, but I'm actually attacking the A/c compressor. Specifically the pulley bearing.



*** or did you mean to say A/C clutch, rather than fan clutch?

[SilverBullet75]

[Y33TREKker]

Finding that faulty bearing must have felt like a last minute reprieve from the governor given the possible alternative. Nice catch.

[tom4bren]

Thanks, but I'm actually attacking the A/c compressor. Specifically the pulley bearing.



*** or did you mean to say A/C clutch, rather than fan clutch?

Yah

My bad. I've got the fan clutch.

[SilverBullet75]

No problem Tom! I appreciate the offer anyway!



So, yesterday I had good luck with finding a bearing!
$20!
(I'm not going to post the part number until I get it pressed into the pulley though. I want to be 100% on this so I don't lead anyone astray.)

Next hard task is getting the bearing OUT.
It's not quite as simple as I thought. There is no lip/edge to push on with the press. I may have to treat it like a wheel bearing race after I do some creative Dremeling. Stay tuned!

[LittleBeast]

No problem Tom! I appreciate the offer anyway!



So, yesterday I had good luck with finding a bearing!
$20!
(I'm not going to post the part number until I get it pressed into the pulley though. I want to be 100% on this so I don't lead anyone astray.)

Next hard task is getting the bearing OUT.
It's not quite as simple as I thought. There is no lip/edge to push on with the press. I may have to treat it like a wheel bearing race after I do some creative Dremeling. Stay tuned!

Please let us know. My rebuilt A/C compressor is only 2 years old now, but the bearing has slowly gone from totally silent to every once in a while a slight whine, and since I am a perfectionist it will get replaced if I consistently start hearing it. Engine accutally has never been as quiet as the last few months due to the rebuild and lock nuts on exhaust headers.

[SilverBullet75]

Woo hooo! I have a/c again!!!!

I worked on it last night after being told by a very cool guy at a machine shop to save my money and remove the old bearing race myself.
Note: the race cannot be pressed out. You have to use the same method of removal as a wheel bearing. I used a chisel and a drift punch with a small sledge hammer.
Then I installed the new bearing using the old race as a drift.
Oh, btw, I used a Dremel to grind out the stakes on the old bearing...

Next I reinstalled the pulley, hammering on an aluminum jet ski coupler to keep from damaging the clutch.
Big tip: remove the radiator!!! I thought I could do it without removing it and the job took an extra hour! Once it was out I had plenty of room to swing the hammer.

When you get the pulley on all the way, you need to put the snap ring back on, then you can hit the clutch plate back on and secure it with the 10mm bolt.

I'm not at home right now so I'll post the part number of the bearing later.

BTW, not available new: clutch or pulley


Total cost of repair: $20!!!!

[Y33TREKker]

Nice!

While it's great to know that there ARE at times actually low cost alternatives for some repairs associated with a VX, in this case for me it was actually nicer to know that there's now one less person without A/C in Las Vegas in the middle of the summer.

That actually means you're a step ahead of me at this point, because at least yours is a dry heat.

[SilverBullet75]

Ok, the bearing part number is:
MT2021

This should work with ALL VX compressors, regardless of year... since they are all Zexel compressors.
This bearing is actually for multiple brands of compressors.
Mine was $17.95 + tax from Auto Air and More in Las Vegas, NV. (in stock)

Here are some pics from last night. I wish I had remembered to take pics of removing the bearing race! SORRY!

Old bearing, once removed... what's left of it.


Pulley with new bearing installed, clutch face.


Pulley with new bearing installed, showing stakes cut and 4 new ones punched.


Pulley installed in VX.



JIM