I have a problem with a disturbing metal grinding noise that comes and gos around the air cond compressor and ps drive belt. The noise only started happening last couple of weeks after:
auto electrician refilling the air cond gas and replacing seals in the compressor body, and;
me washing and degreasing the engine bay and coating everything in a liberal dose of wd40.
My first thought with the noise was that it was the bearing of the air cond compressor had shat itself, so took it to a local mechanic and lo and behold it was quiet the whole time I was there.
His comment was that by coating everything in wd40 can destroy the belt and the noise that I described could also be the actual belt and not a failing bearing?
I have since removed the belt and checked the power steering pump bearing (rolls nice and smoothly with no 'grinding' noises), but the air cond compressor pulley is not able to be rolled by hand, is this normal?
Two options I'd like you guys to comment on:
Take it to a mechanic and get the bearing in the compressor changed (if you can) which may lead to replacement compressor (worse case scenario), or
Replace the compressor with an idler pulley so I can blank off the air system and get my power steering back (30's don't look that big, but they're a bitch without ps).
Does anybody own a efi Vitara without air conditioning, and can they take a photo of the drive belt system for the power steering for me please?
Regards
Goldey
