Aircon compressor ticking at idle-can I ignore?

[pug406col]

Drove 300 miles to Newquay.

Traced a new ticking noise to behind the drivers wheel.

Lifted bonnet, sound drowned out by engine noise.

Dropped bonnet. Got under car.

Noise is from large cylindrical item, running at the base of the auxilary belt. Air con pipes running to it. I presume this is the Aircon compressor

Put my hand on it and can feel it knocking inside at the same time with the constant ticking..

Air con has never worked since I owned it. Never put the button on. Is this the reason for a failure?

The noise is there at idle. It increases with the acceleration, and the ticking noise clears at 4k plus on the rev counter.

Can I ignore it and carry on coping with the noise. I dont intend to sort the aircon. (Whats likely to happen? The compressor sieze up, seize up the auxilary belt and everything that runs off it? or will it be ok to live with the ticking noise?)

I am rather hands on with home repairs. The Haynes manual shouts out about not messing with the compressor pipes or system. I reckon that I can replace the compressor. Looks simple enough. I presume if the gas is all run out of the system it will be easy to replace with the pipes off. Worry more about removing and replacing the auxilary belt.

Sourcing parts? whats needed, complications of the job etc???

Please help the noise a bit embarassing

[puggy]

sounds like the bearings are going in the compressor,when they gas the ac system
they also add oil that lubricates the compressor .
try looking here viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5445#p53206

not hard to replace the compressor its the cost might be lucky to get a second-hand one,
if not,then looking at £300 + for service exchange recon or £600 ish for new one

[mjb]

Until you get it fixed, I'd set your ac to 'eco' every time you get in (presuming it's digital climate control, else just keep it switched off). You don't want it siezing then melting your aux belt...

[steve_earwig]

It won't be engaging anyway if there's no pressure in it. I know on my mate's Pussat the clutch desintigrated and made a god awful racket but the car's still going. I'm not sure if it's a disaster waiting to happen but maybe it might be worth sticking the aux belt from a non-aircon car on it (you might have to loose one of the idlers too). I reckon that's the way to go if you're not interested in the air con working. Cheaper too.

[mjb]

It won't be engaging anyway if there's no pressure in it

But if it's ticking, whatever's shot is being driven by the aux belt... unless it's the clutch solenoid...

maybe it might be worth sticking the aux belt from a non-aircon car on it (you might have to loose one of the idlers too). I reckon that's the way to go if you're not interested in the air con working. Cheaper too.

Smart idea!

[pug406col]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PEUGEOT-406-2L-DI ... .m20.l1116

Will this be the one I need?

[pug406col]

Or off to kwik fat(yes they are cowboys), but price £44 for a regas and lubricant.

Im thinking that getting it regassed and lubed now, may just sufficeiently grease up the bearings before it goes too far...

Your thoughts on damage limitation now that it has occured..

Bearing in mind the ticking is only at idle, at the moment, on acceleration..it clears.

[steve_earwig]

But if it's ticking, whatever's shot is being driven by the aux belt... unless it's the clutch solenoid...

disconnecting the wiring would settle that one.

Or off to kwik fat...

I'd be happier if you went to someone that knows what they're doing. Make them put dye in it so you can spot if it's leaking (if it's had no pressure in it a few years that's probably going to be everywhere )

[steve_earwig]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PEUGEOT-406-2L-DI ... .m20.l1116

Will this be the one I need?

Pass.