Rattling when AC is on

[sebastien7]

I have a 2003 Jeep Liberty Sport and in the last couple of weeks there is a rattling noise coming from near the tension pulley area, as best I can tell, when I turn on the AC. It stops when I accelerate though and it still blows cold air. I changed the tension pulley and put on a new belt about a month ago so I don't think it would be that. I read it might be the ac compressor clutch but I don't want to start spending money and time replacing things until I know for sure. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[tjkj2002]

Did you change just the pulley's or the whole tensioner as one unit? Eitherway it's a bad tensioner making the noise.

 

[richardm]

I agree with tj, I had the same noise last year and swapped out the tensioner and the noise with it.

 

[John3seventeen]

Must be the week for 2003's - just replaced mine. Research the belt tensioner on google - there are good brands and not so good brands (that don't last long).

 

[sebastien7]

You think it's a defective tensioner? I replaced the whole assembly about a month ago.

 

[sebastien7]

Again it doesn't make any noise until the AC is on.

 

[tjkj2002]

You think it's a defective tensioner? I replaced the whole assembly about a month ago.

Again it doesn't make any noise until the AC is on.

Still a bad tensioner,I had a OEM one go out in a few months.It happens.

 

[sebastien7]

Thanks for the replies...I'll swap it out this week and see what happens. I hope its only the tensioner!

 

[MadDog]

I had this same thing happen to me last summer, only got that rattling when the A/C was on. Definitely the tensioner pulley, also confirmed by others on this site when I had my problem. I replaced the whole assembly with an OEM part from the dealer as well as a new belt and that took care of the whole thing, no noise thereafter. Guess these things just go after long enough.

 

[Elmanga]

the same happened to me,i replace the belt and tension from advance auto,the tensioner noise was still there,then i replace it again for another tensioner,this one mopar bought from the dealer and the noise is still there when putting the ac on and when putting my jeep from park to reverse,any ideas what may be the issue? thanksss in advance

 

[LibertyTC]

Thanks for the replies...I'll swap it out this week and see what happens. I hope its only the tensioner!

The dealer belt is EPDM quality and so is the Gates.
I also used the Gates Tensioner assembly as in photo below.
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An auto stethoscope will help pinpoint the rattles exact location.
The AC has has a bearing that can go bad, but also a clutch air gap, and if it is too wide it can rattle.
Can be checked with feeler gauge/then adjusted if necessary.
If there is rust along the AC clutch gap etc , some fine emery cloth can be used to remove the rust and a quick spray of silione lube after, often stops it.

 

[ltd02]

Make sure you got the right tensioner too. My 02 takes a 76/90mm pulley combo. Gates 38167. Not sure if this was an 02 thing or not. Would require a different size belt than the 76/76mm. Gates K060874

 

[LibertyTC]

^ Thanks! Ya I should have included the Gates part finder link in my above post ..
So here it is...Link: Auto Parts Locator by Part Number | Gates Corporation

 

[teeje]

Not sure if you solved the issue yet, but I too had the same problem a year ago. Replace the whole assembly and belt not just the pulley and it should fix the issue if it's the tensioner. If that doesn't fix your issue take the belt off and put your hand on all of the pulleys and make sure there isn't an substantial amount of play. A tiny bit is okay just not a lot. Get under the hood and have someone in the vehicle. Tell your helper to turn the ac on full blast (recirculate) and max cold. Watch the AC clutch. Tell your helped to turn it on and when the clutch kicks and and it makes noise after the new belt and tensioner, you have found your issue. Typically you can replace the clutch by itself. But when you do that, you find yourself replacing the whole damn assembly months later so just do it all at once. Make sure you read the specs for the pag oil as well I'm almost certain it is one oz and check to see if the new compressor has pag oil in it.
Also when my tensioner went, it wasn't really a rattling noise. More of a clicking. Rattling sounds more like a bearing issue on the compressor.
Keep us updated!


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