It is pretty straightforward. Remove the plug wires, throttle cable bracket, and valve cover bolts, if I am remembering correctly. When you reinstall, you may want to replace the gasket. You definitely must use some liquid gasket on the curved junctions. It is also very important to stepwise torque the valve cover bolts to spec in the recommended order.

 

So does the noise clear up if you press the gas slightly and increase the idle speed? Could just be idling too low.

 

Yes. Actually that is exactly what happens.

 

Does seafoam have anything to do with it you think? Considering I idle like a ninja.

 

Try cleaning the IACV. If after that it still idles too low with the A/C on, open up the air screw on the throttle body some. Adjusting this (within limits) should not increase normal idle speed (A/C off), but it will let more air into the engine so it can get enough to run the A/C properly.

 

I'm having the exact same problem. Idle was too low and it clicked like crazy then adjusted and worked fine. But then cleaned my iacv and problem came back but not all the time. Sometimes if I press gas but then let it idle it'll fluctuate and start clicking (the knocking gin0 hears. My dad says it has nothing to do with the iacv and that there's either too much or too little gas in the compressor or something. I checked and well there's this light green liquid sitting at the bottom of the compressor for sure. Thing is sometimes it's ice cold, sometimes barely. I ordered an iacv so it should be here this wk. If there's no difference then I'll know for sure the other thing is the problem. Strangely though, today when it happened the car actually ran hot and the power steering fluid drained from the pump for no reason. Don't see any leaks or anything but monitoring it still....that's another topic. Keep us posted gin0.

 

The light green liquid could just be antifreeze spilled from elsewhere, or it might be A/C oil with dye in it, indicating you have a leak. Wash it off and see if it reappears.

A very light clicking sound is normal from these compressors. It should not be audible unless you're really listening for it.