Hiya everyone! I have a 2010 SV Premium just hit 158K on the odometer. I take really good care of it at least to the best of my abilities. The AC had been blowing kind of weak since I got the car last July so I recharged it with a can of R134A. After that the AC worked great and it was nice and cold around 38 degrees! It worked for three days and then the AC stopped engaging when I would press the AC button. In the last few days it started making this horrible grinding/catching/flapping noise coming from the drive belt area or pulleys. I can't seem to pinpoint where it is coming from and the belt looks fine. It is one of the only things I don't have any records for when it was last replaced so it may be due for a new one anyways.

Anyone have any idea what it could be? Bearing in one of the pulleys or is something rubbing the belt?
Could it be the AC compressor failing?

I tried to make a video and upload it a few times but it kept saying the file was too big.

 

I have a similar issue. If my 2014, with 50K miles, sits for a day or two especially on cold or humid mornings I get a screeching/grinding noise. This only seems to happen on cold startup in the morning. I'm thinking it's something in the belt/tensioner area. I suspect it's the belt tensioner causing the problem.

OP is your issue generally on cold startup like mine?

 

If to your knowledge the belt is original, time for a new one.

 

A/C clutches are problematic on these cars. Quite a lot of suspects that can make that noise.

 

Bummer I was hoping for an easy fix.

 

Mine is starting to make that metal to metal sound in the morning. I'm at 134k. Luckily ac clutch parts are reasonable. There is a serpentine belt and tensioner which are cheaper to check and replace. I have a new belt and tensioner felt free.

 

It happens on every start not just cold. Well I took it into local shop that has good reviews. They said it needs a new AC compressor, Belt tensioner pulley and two rear wheel bearings and the new belt. With labor he said it would be like $2000! I did not expect it to be so much does that sound right for those parts and labor?

 

Actually that doesn't sound bad. I had a Carx quote me $1000 just to replace the two rear bearing assemblies. Changed them myself. If you have tools and are handy it's an easy job. Hardest part is getting the old bearing assemblies out. I feel like if you can change a tire you can change rear bearings. If they are going to change the compressor probably not a big deal to change the belt and tensioner also.