A/C Compressor noise questions

[ed k]

hello, i have a few questions about A/C compressors on 2 different cars

the first car is a 2010 scion xb, it has about 68k on it with the original untouched A/C system. the system works great and the air is very cold however i’ve noticed that when the A/C compressor is engaged it makes a groaning noise……. it sounds kind of like when a power steering pump is bad/low on fluid. it only makes this noise when the clutch is engaged. is there anything i should do? perhaps a shot of oil pag oil in the line?

the next car is my mother’s 2003 chrysler town and country (think of it as a newer version of Barbara’s dreaded van from the fixing it forward series lol) the van has about 135k on it and suprisingly the A/C system is original and untouched and blows ice cold air; however when the clutch engages on the A/C compressor it does not sound happy….. its hard to describe the noise however it is not knocking; all i can say is it doesn’t sound pretty. should i look into replacing the compressor before it grenades and sends shrapnel into the A/C system or just leave it as is?

thanks for your inputs

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[dan]

sounds like AC Compressor replacement may be in order… typically when a AC Compressor is about to go they make some pretty bad noises.

[zero]

For your car, it might be worth checking if there’s any sort of campaign or service bulletin about it. But, realistically, you’re facing replacing both compressors.

[Author]

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