[330istocknot]

Hello,

My Compressor was making a funny noise, nothing too bad, i took it for a 30 min drive, im in the middle of L.A and boom! i lose AC, then the steering got super hard, couldn't even turn.

Then i open the hood, and notince the sepentine belt is off! just hanging there... I see it came off of all the other pulleys, and i get a long screw driver to see if what i thought had happened, and indeed, it did. The AC compressor pulley was loose just swinging around?

Question, can this pulley be replaced, i heard there's also a clutch? or is this a MUST replace AC compressor?

[robthewrench]

Replacing only the pulley depends on what broke. Really hard to see in that video what is hanging and how.

One question, again because I can't see much in the video, you are sure that the AC pulley is off and not the tensioner pulley. Tensioner failures are pretty common on the e90 platform.

I don't believe I've seen a separate AC clutch kit for the e90 platform. On some vehicles it is possible to buy the compressor separate from the clutch/pulley. On the e90 I think you have to buy the whole assembly.

If just the pulley came off, it usually won't 'hang' there. It will fall to the bottom.

You or your mechanic will need to have a closer look.

[330istocknot]

Originally Posted by robthewrench

Replacing only the pulley depends on what broke. Really hard to see in that video what is hanging and how.

One question, again because I can't see much in the video, you are sure that the AC pulley is off and not the tensioner pulley. Tensioner failures are pretty common on the e90 platform.

I don't believe I've seen a separate AC clutch kit for the e90 platform. On some vehicles it is possible to buy the compressor separate from the clutch/pulley. On the e90 I think you have to buy the whole assembly.

If just the pulley came off, it usually won't 'hang' there. It will fall to the bottom.

You or your mechanic will need to have a closer look.

Yes, the pulley fell out of order. If you look closely on the video, im touching the pulley and its swinging freely left and right, it didnt FALL off because theres a little metal part keeping it from falling.

I checked the tension pulley and its fine. i might just do a bypass like this post says http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=962657

I don't have money to throw right now.

[ucdbiendog]

definitely not the tensioner, that is near the top.

[BB_cuda]

The pulley is attached to electromagnetic clutch. You may be able to get this at salvage yard. Also check on rockauto.com

[kkasson]

Most E90s don't use an electromagnetic clutch. The pulley isn't sold separately from BMW and isn't supposed to be replaced, but it's available directly from Denso.

Depending on what's broken you might be able to replace the pulley, otherwise it will need the whole compressor. If the pulley bearing gave out then it could be replaced but if there's any damage to the compressor shaft then you'll need to replace the whole compressor.

Here's a video showing pulley replacement:

I'd assume the compressor will need to come out of the car to replace the pulley, in which case it's probably best to just replace the compressor anyway. But it is possible to replace the pulley separately.

[rothwem]

Hey guys, I'm bumping this back up.

My new to me E91 has a good bit of whine going on, dependent on RPM and it gets worse when I turn the A/C on. Id like to try doing the AC pulley R&R, any thoughts on where to obtain a pulley/bearing? The P/N for the AC compressor is 64529122618.

[Castomere]

Same problem here. I replaced the vibration damper because of a noise. It was okay for awhile. But after a few days there was a squeaking sound. I had it checked, then the mechanic replaced the tensioner. The sound lessened, but there's a new whining sound which I haven't heard before. 8 had it checked again, and they said I needed to replace the compressor. The mechanic said I should just wait for it to die. This is the compressors part number, and I'm also looking to replace just the clutch because its wobbling. 64526987766.

The thing is, I only spent $100 on a made in China vibration damper and its heavier than the original.

I was wondering, did the cheap damper caused all this?

[e90yyc]

Also interested in this. My 2007 328 is making a bit of noise at idle and during driving, also worse when A/C engaged. PS pump all good. Definitely compressor.

[Castomere]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

Also interested in this. My 2007 328 is making a bit of noise at idle and during driving, also worse when A/C engaged. PS pump all good. Definitely compressor.

What happens to the sound when you turn your AC off while driving?

The whiny noise dissappears with mine.

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by Castomere

What happens to the sound when you turn your AC off while driving?

The whiny noise dissappears with mine.

Mine gets way softer, but it's still there if you listen.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by Castomere

What happens to the sound when you turn your AC off while driving?

The whiny noise dissappears with mine.

I get a whiny noise with the AC on and idling. As soon as RPMs rise above idle the sound goes away. Also when idling, I can turn the AC off and the sound goes away.

I can't find the post, but I recall reading someone saying they had similar symptoms that were resolved by a refrigerant flush. Not just a recharge service, but the all old regrigerant was removed and the system was refilled with fresh new refrigerant. I don't know if this is true, but I may try this before summer kicks in.

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by Castomere

What happens to the sound when you turn your AC off while driving?

The whiny noise dissappears with mine.

Gets much quieter but still there. This makes sense given the type of compressor used.