A/C Compressor is being replaced
 

Anyone else have issues? I noticed what sounded like a heat shield rattling noise around 3500-4k. Took it in finally today and they said that the a/c compressor needs to be replaced.

nope

yes!! i get that noise too....and if i turn the a/c off while its making the noise it goes away....so will that warrant a new a/c then???

Me too, I used an old A/C clutch bought from ebay, man what a rip off the rust from the clutch made it useless, I suggest a rebuild or even brand new one or you need to look at the whole A/C compressor first b4 you buy. The replacement is not too hard but dirty I tried but end up have to take it to local shop. I don't know if going to dealer will cost you, but check and compare the price from dealer and part store they might have a better price than the dealer.

Dude series 2 are under warranty still (2009+).

Just got the 8 back and this is what they said. Apparently 09 had a bad compressor or really the bearings in the pulley were faulty. This causes that annoying 3-4k vibration that sounds like a metal can rattling. To me is sounded like a heat shield that was loose. They switched vendors/manufactures for that part and it has a new # as well.

Since this is a bearing issue and if it failed it would cause the pulley to seize. Noise, smoke, and your on the side of the road. Soooo if you think this is what you as experiencing then take it in.

i have a 2004, it's time to replace ac compressor for me, Mazda factory compressor was $700, clutch is about the same $700, and labor was $300 i asked them yesterday. $1700 for ac compressor replacement. I will be broke if i go that route, local shop will do it for $200 include the freon but bring the compressor. I found brand new online discount compressor.com for $418 with after market clutch, $480 for factory mazda clutch plus $9 shipping. Mazdazmart emailed me they have $250 to $500. I'd prefer brand new clutch.

I also tried the pull a part ac compressor from other car. it turn out that the unit i bought was old and rusty, when i replace the clutch and pulley it burned my belt and locked up my engine and i was on the side of the road I had to walk to a local car shop to borrow and cutter to cut my ac belt off in order to be able to start up my car. be caution I learned something new today

It's because you posted in the wrong forum. Whut it does it messes up when people search for things relating to there specific build revision. Different AC system. 2004's have a different compressor and most of the early builds don't even have the reprogram trick ablity.

mine still working perfectly weirdly :scared:

Mine didn't stop working but the noise was present. That is what tipped me off. So no noise, no problemo

did it actually affect the a/c as far as cooling, cuz i know that rx8's a/c is bad....but the R3 is horrible....if its anywhere near 100 outside...it just feels like warm air blowing....could this be due to the bearing issue as well?

mine blows ice cold.:eek:
what I dont like is its very hard to angle the air flow. my left hand gets freezing all the time.

if its a nice cool day, and im on the highway with the high engine rpm's, then it feels ice cold!!