Hello. I have a 2010 Toyota Yaris 4D sedan with 140,000 miles. Automatic transmission. No check engine light. The a/c system has never been worked and the car still has original a/c OEM parts . I am hearing a "clacking sound" when I have the a/c on.
The following is happening:
1) When I am in park without a/c, there is no clacking sound whether I rev the engine or not.
2) When I am in park with a/c, there is no clacking sound. But the moment I rev the engine, there is the clacking sound. The sound goes away when I turn off the a/c.
3) After I start driving, whether at a red light or parked or at STOP sign, the clacking sound can be heard and I do NOT feel cold a/c. The sound goes away if I turn off the a/c.
4) The clacking sound can be heard and I can feel the cold a/c when I am driving around, especially at higher than 25mph.
I believe the a/c compressor is failing but maybe there's something more. Can I drive without a/c OR will the pully on a/c compressor fail on me? Please advise.
You should be able to use a mechanic's stethoscope, or even a long screwdriver, to find the source of the noise. From what I could tell from photos of the Yaris AC compressor on rockauto.com it appears there is no clutch and the compressor is operated via a control valve.
If the A/C compressor is failing internally it will wind up contaminating the entire AC system with metal debris, requiring most components to be replaced in addition to the compressor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U927cYhQXB4
Clacking sound is possible if there is a piston that is banging inside of the compressor. Sounds like you have a piston compressor. So something maybe out of alignment internal to the compressor. Either a rod or bearing. Compressors are like motors in reverse.
