I recently had my AC compressor replaced (Well, maybe 5 months ago.) I don't think this is related but now the car is making a grinding noise, like bearings grinding into fine dust. I have traced it to a pulley that is above the AC compressor.

I have a 2001 9-3. This pulley isabove the ACbut below another pulley. Also, there is some metal engine support or something that goes from the wheelwell under this pulley and they look dangerously close ot one another - I was afraid the pulley was actually riding on the metal.

Anyone have any idea on what this pulley is and does. I mean, I figure there is a bearing failure but how serious is this.

Oh, the check engine light just came on today and now the car is stalling.

Thanks in advance Roto

 

First and foremost go to Autozone and tell me what the CEL code is. Now as far as the grinding noise, can you do me a favor and take a picture of the engine bay and you pointing at the pulley that's making noise? I can only assume that it's either the water pump (cheap and easy to repalce) or the tensioneer pulley which is also not very hard to replace. In either case, you need to replace them otherwise you risk a belt failure and that damn thing is known to take out whatever happens to be on it's way out of the engine bay.

 

Thanks Roto. I actaully already took it to the garage. I think it was the tensioner pulley. I was able to see the belt wobbling on it as the engine idled. I just replaced the AC compressor so I know it wasn't that, althoug the sound was very similar - grinding bearings. I sprayed the shaft down with a lubricant and made it to the garage with no problem.

I think I may have triggered the check engine light because the only way to see those pulleys is to remove the air box, which i did then ran the car so i could listen. I did the old, put a screwdriver on the part and listen through the handle. The AC compressor wasn't making any noises but as I got close to the tensioner pulley I could clearly hear it grinding.

There is a garage near me that specializes in Saabs. Unfortunately i don't really trust them yet. I'll write to let you know what it is and what they want top fix it.

 

I would have just recommended that you replace that yourself...it's relatively easy. I could even help you with getting the part cheap.