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2007 Dodge Grand Caravan intermittent AC rubbing noise


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rworld
New User

Jul 2, 2015, 10:47 PM

Post #1 of 10 (2241 views)
  post locked   2007 Dodge Grand Caravan intermittent AC rubbing noise  

Hi all.

First time poster, likely not last time though :), so bear with me...

2007 Doge Grand Caravan, 3.3l V6, 120,000 km. I purchased vehicle used in 2009 with 35,000k on it.

Just today noticed an intermittent rubbing noise (not metallic grinding, more like a rub or growl) when driving with AC on. Sounds is intermittent (sometimes very infrequent, sometimes every 10 seconds or so), lasts about 1 second, only there when AC is on, causes a noticeable loss of power, did it both at highway speeds and side road speeds, a greater tendency to occur with acceleration. When I got home, I was able to recreate the noise while in park, and sounds like it's coming from AC compressor area. When revving the engine to get noise to occur (3-4000 rpm) I noticed about 300rpm drop on tachometer when noise occurred. No change in AC function, still blowing cold air. I live in fairly warm summer climate, use AC regularly June-Sept.

In researching problem, I am wondering if it is the compressor itself, a worn bearing, or a faulty clutch. If compressor is starting to seize, I don't want it to seize up completely and destroy S-belt and leave us stranded somewhere or cause further damage. So basically, what do you fine folks think it is, and does it present an imminent risk of greater damage? I would like to avoid replacing entire compressor due to cost, but my pregnant wife will probably keel over and die without AC in her van. Let me know if I can provide further details or data. Thanks!!


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jul 3, 2015, 2:06 AM

Post #2 of 10 (2233 views)
  post locked   Re: 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan intermittent AC rubbing noise  

You need to have the AC checked out ASAP and I would shut it off in the meantime. It sounds like it may be experiencing a high pressure lockup and that can lead to the compressor grenading and destroying the whole system.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jul 3, 2015, 4:30 AM

Post #3 of 10 (2226 views)
  post locked   Re: 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan intermittent AC rubbing noise  

If the system had really high head pressure, wouldn't he not have cold air blowing out the vents?


Quote
No change in AC function, still blowing cold air.






Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jul 3, 2015, 4:31 AM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jul 3, 2015, 5:02 AM

Post #4 of 10 (2223 views)
  post locked   Re: 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan intermittent AC rubbing noise  

Whatever it is I wouldn't use A/C till found and fixed. It both makes a noise and pulls down RPM. If that was just a bearing in A/C anything it would fail in no time from heat.


Point is any reason if this causes belt to break or fly off you are rendered walking.


IMO this does this only with A/C which is a load on engine that should be covered RPM wise but feel some power loss. Pretty much for whatever reason again this points to a compressor issue and wont be cheap but need to know before the "grenade" of it,


T



rworld
New User

Jul 3, 2015, 9:59 AM

Post #5 of 10 (2206 views)
  post locked   Re: 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan intermittent AC rubbing noise  

Hi all.

Thanks for the response so far. Compressor lock up sounds like it could fit, based on some further reading. I forgot to include (please don't laugh or publicly stone me for being a hack) that last year the AC was not blowing cold. I bought a kit, checked the pressures, and they were low. I topped the system up with RedTek 12a, achieved proper pressures, and got cold air again. I did not check lubricants or moisture or anything, and I wonder if that may have lead me to where I currently am.

So sounds like I've reached (or overreached) my comfort level. Looks like I'll be taking it in. I don't really have a mechanic/shop I trust or use regularly, so what should I be expecting/communicating to them, and what should I be wary of? I'm guessing they'll point the finger at the compressor and want to replace it. Is that a reasonable approach, or what kinds of diagnostics or less-costly repairs/changes would it be appropriate to undertake first? Any thoughts on what kind of cost would be reasonable? (bearing in mind I'm up in Canada.)

Lastly, sounds like I should not use AC until I get the problem fixed. Would I be risking further damage by driving vehicle without using AC? Thanks again for the guidance so far.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 3, 2015, 11:12 AM

Post #6 of 10 (2204 views)
  post locked   Re: 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan intermittent AC rubbing noise  

You don't want to bring that to just any mechanic. You need a shop that does a lot of AC work. They are also going to have to look for a possible cause. At this point you would have to change the compressor, condenser and dryer at minimum. You could have plugged up the expansion valve too with all the metal chip going through the system.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



rworld
New User

Jul 3, 2015, 11:42 AM

Post #7 of 10 (2200 views)
  post locked   Re: 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan intermittent AC rubbing noise  

***ouch***

Will seek out AC specialist. Thanks.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jul 3, 2015, 12:17 PM

Post #8 of 10 (2197 views)
  post locked   Re: 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan intermittent AC rubbing noise  

Mega ouch! Isn't 12a non 134a at all like another name Freeze 12 which isn't 134a either.


Too late now - no way these are compatible for a boost if you knew a ton about how. It's now past just any chance of DIY and near certain it's wrecked a lot of stuff. Not just an early compressor but now many times that. Pro shop only that deals with this as said. Is this dual A/C also meaning front and rear? OMG - $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$


Sorry,


T



rworld
New User

Oct 9, 2015, 3:35 PM

Post #9 of 10 (2048 views)
  post locked   Re: 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan intermittent AC rubbing noise  

Hey all. Sorry to be so late in following up. I had the system evacuated and properly recharged. It has been working well since then. It maybe doesn't blow ice cold from the factory, but it works well. Not sure if it was the product I used or if it was just low. Either way, I'll steer clear of DIY AC repair. Thanks for your help.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Oct 10, 2015, 1:36 AM

Post #10 of 10 (2040 views)
  post locked   Re: 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan intermittent AC rubbing noise  

Late time wise but thanks for follow up. If this is working to your liking however you had it dealt with then I'll call it done and close out the thread. YOU as OP can request it re-opened by any mod.
I/we'll wait. I don't expect this to last an entire next season so do be ready to unplug/disable it if noisy as said earlier and come back if needed,


T







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