TransAm_00

iTrader: (1)

When the car is running there is a nasty noise coming from under the hood. When I flip on the ac, the noise almost disappears. Then when I turn off the ac, the noise is back 100%.
I'm not that experienced with the ac stuff, but I did look down there and seen a smaller belt attached to the main pulley, then two smaller pulleys which I assume are some tensioners, and then the ac pulley.

Could the belt be worn?
Could something be wrong with the tensioners?
Or is the ac clutch bearings shot and it is just sloppy?

Hopefully this is a minor prob. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

jcobra99

iTrader: (51)

Remove the ac belt and see if the noise continues. If so then grease your idlers. If it still continues Then replace the serpentine belt.

TransAm_00

iTrader: (1)

So the smaller belt, remove that one then? Will this harm anything removing the belt and then starting the car? What about removing the belt and if someone turns on the ac? I just don't want to F anything up. I'm already on a tight budget.

TransAm_00

iTrader: (1)

Oh yeh, and if I were to keep the belt off for about a week, would that be ok?

fasteddie94

iTrader: (2)

You won't hurt anything by not running the belt. The compressor just won't work if you try to turn it on. I don't know about leaving it on for a extended period of time but an accidental flip of the switch isn't going to hurt anything.

TransAm_00

iTrader: (1)

Wouldn't leaving the belt off for an extended period of time be the same as removing the ac unit altogether?

jcobra99

iTrader: (51)

No your entire AC system will still be intact as it is now ready to go just not operable without the belt.

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

belt noise is almost always turns out to be the pulleys.......IMO

kmracer

iTrader: (1)

you cant grease the idlers seeing how their is none on the AC side, and if there were, they'd be sealed bearings and not greasable.

is sounds to me like its a tensioner.

TransAm_00

iTrader: (1)

This may sound stupid, but can the tensioner be adjusted? I know the tensioner adjusts itself to keep pressure.

WS6-R

iTrader: (1)

From your description looks to me like is the idler pulley/belt.

If you turn the A/C ON and the noise comes, then it would be the AC tensioners.

not sure if you got it fix but, just wanted to help either way.

Dark_Pheonix

iTrader: (2)

the tensioner pulley has bearings in it, when they go it will make the sound you are describing. have you removed the belt yet?

Ca_Rick

Could a screeching tensioner/belt set off a knock sensor ?

Breathing Fire

Ok sounds to me like you are having the same problem I had a while back. If you haven't removed the belt yet run the ac for a min. Then when you turn it off and the noise appears spray some (moly o-ring chain lube is what I used) right on the ac pully that is what I did. Don't soak it or get the belt just the front part of the ac. If the sound goes away it is the clutch system on the front of the ac pump. Is there a lot of rust bulit up on it? Searched for weeks trying to figure the damn thing out. That was it. It almost sounds like a glass plate spinning on concrete? That the sound you are hearing?

Ca_Rick

On mine the noise is all the time, regardless if the AC is on or off , but it does seem to be coming from the lower AC belt area, I'll give the moly o-ring chain lube a try. At the same time I noticed the noise the car threw a knock sensor code also.

Ca_Rick

To answer my own question, yes it can.

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

still say its the pulleys......i spent a month chasing down my squeaks.......all fixed now

firechicken99

iTrader: (7)

sjsingle did it end up being idler or tensioner? I replaced my main tensioner because it was shot anyways (would throw belts if i got on the gas and let off abruptly) but obvoiusly still have the noise. Ive regreased the bearing before as well so i was just going to buy a new AC tensioner next. engines got 98k anyways so figured its time

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

i did not replace either tensioner...........just replaced ALL the pulleys.......so happy with no sqeak now......i did a tear down on the pulley by the alt.......it had NO grease in the bearings........the dayco replacements for the a/c pulleys are both metal compared to plastic for stock......i think that helps with noise

firechicken99

iTrader: (7)

did you get em online or at the store? if you happen to have part numbers handy would be a big help. thanks