Hey all -

Recently took the Libby to the stealership and had the tensioner arm for the serp. belt replaced - after it fell off. A week later, I had to take it back to them because of some rattling under the hood - sounded like loose bolts et al, figured it had to do with the recent work. After they took a look at it, they said it was my AC pump going bad - oh, by the way, the pump also works as a dehumidifier for the defrost and their work/servicing had nothing to do with it.

Of course, I'm a conspiracy theorist by nature - so I find it difficult to accept the fact that it's all coincidence that they would be doing work on the "system" and they had nothing to do with the pump. I mean, I am at least a reasonable person albeit the conspiracy theorist, perhaps it happened not on purpose or through negligence, but the service manager said in no way would it have anything to do with what they did to it the week prior. I thought that was a bit unreasonable that he would take me for an idiot and try to tell me the AC pump has nothing to do with the serp. belt and tensioner as I understood he tried to make me believe.

Ok, ok - I got that off my chest. I would like to know if anyone knows of an inexpensive alternative to replacing the AC pump - I’m not above doing it myself, but the service folks pegged their price of doing the work at approx. $1,000.00 USD (300 labor and 700 for a new pump.)

Has anyone ever had any issues with said component or with doing this work themselves?

I appreciate your replies and thank you all in advance.


LOST in CdA
03 Limited 3.7l

Check the new belt tensioner,I had mine go out and replaced under warrenty but the "new" one started making a "clicking" noise when the a/c pump was running.Start the vehicle and turn the a/c on and look under the hood,look at the tensioer if it's jumping all over the place it's causing your noise and should be replaced again.I L.O.S.T. faith in the factory ones so got a aftermarket one from Dayco pt# 89254,it ran me about $55 from advance auto.

A new a/c compressor should run you about 350-400 dollars, re-manufactured ones are even cheaper (250-300).
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDeta ... 87&ptset=A

Labor sounds a little high but it is the dealer after all.

I'd take it to a small private auto-repair facility. They would probably be able to do the job for half the price. Actually, that's usually the case on most repairs. The dealers are always way overpriced. Parts 2x time what they cost everywhere else, labor is usually 100 dollars an hour and they go straight by the book time. Most repairs performed at the dealer will usually be almost twice as high if not more than taking it to a private garage.

Hey libertyinCdA...I have a HVAC certification thru ASE and I'm in a mid sized independant shop with 7 other techs.I would agree with Eddo and the others on overpricing.But I would first ask is the compressor whats causing the noise or is it just the clutch and coil assy.As long as your comp. is making pressure and vent is producing cold air,I'd almost bet it's just the clutch and coil assy.Usually the clutch fingers become weak from years of heat and clutch lays ratteling against the hub assy.If so then maybe 75 to 100 for part and with a little help from a friend you could change it yourself.If you really get fed up with it they do offer a aftermarket idler that bolts in place of your compressor.Good luck with whatever you choose.

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Ron
03 Red Libberty Sport
3.7 V6 Auto 4x4
Lifted
Cooper Discover ATRs 265/75/16
American Racing 16x8 Polished Baja Wheels
Moog Lower Ball Joints
Member#051397 L.O.S.T. Midwest

I would have to agree with tjkj2002, I had the same issue he did. Also, as for the tensioner not having a part in the failure, wrong. Think of it this way, the tensioner's job is to keep proper tension on the belt thus even preasure on all pulleys, a bad tensioner that does not do this, is like walking your dog on a leash, and jerking the leash on his neck repeatedly. Now would it be covered under the repair for the tensioner, no. If it was a warranty repair, yes. So they are related, but unfortunately not covered as the same repair.

As for labor, that is a rip off, but pretty average for a dealer, they are better than every one else afterall .

I would do the repair myself, not that hard, unless you do need to replace the compressor, then you have to worry about reclaiming and refilling coolant gas, whatever DC uses.

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I'm baaaaccckkk...
LOST Member 10
If you can read this you don't need glasses, go Wheel your Jeep!

I had the same symptoms, sounded like there were marbles in the AC compressor. Turns out, it wasn't the compressor, it was the tensioner pulley and the water pump. Both failed at the same time, about 4am on the expressway, in the rain, about 100 miles from home Anyway, replaced both and the noise went away.

DonC

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<b>DonC AKA FreeJeep</b>
'03 Freedom Edition
Armored, Locked and Loaded
'67 CJ5 - stockish for now