Birds under the hood?
 

LOL. Now that I have your attention,

I have a strange sound coming from under the hood of my 95' LT1 Camaro. It's a loud chirping sound that is rpm consistent.

I changed the belt.

I also swapped the belt tensioner from my LT1 Trans Am and the sound WENT AWAY. For a few days. Now its back.

I can't imagine the tensioner is the problem.

When I try to probe the engine compartment listening for the source of the noise, it seems like it's definately not the alternator or the water pump.

Sounds most like its coming from the A/C compressor or the Power Steering pump, from the topside of the engine, the sound is far quieter than underneath. Somehow, I would think that a self-lubricated A/C compressor would have a bearing failure before a power steering pump with a reservoir of lubricant on one side. Maybe that has no effect, who knows.

Anyone ever had either a Power Steering pump failure or A/C compressor noise like this?

The car is mostly stock with 127k on it. It was BONE stock when I got it, and the only engine mods are a hollow cat and a cat back.

I just don't want to throw money in the wrong place. Figured I'd start here.

could be your alternator squealing from a bad bearing i think my car has that problem take the belt off and spin it by hand see if you can hear it.

Are you for sure positive the sound is coming from a belt driven accessory? Not sure if you've taken the belt off and started the engine to see if the sound goes away? If so, do that. If the sound remains then it could be a lack of oiling between pushrod and guideplate if so equipped.

try spraying belt lube on specific parts along the belt and pulleys one by one and try to single out which one is causing the noise.. on my old land cruiser it turned out to be alternator bearing. GL

Good call. (the removal of the belt then start) Plus its free. I'll give it a shot.

Does the LT1 have guideplates stock? I thought it doesn't.

I tried that, but its hard to hand spin something as fast as the motor does.

Also, if it were the alternator I think I'd be able to hear it when I put my head right next to it.

I guess I can try swapping it with my Trans Am to verify that's the problem.

No. That's why I said if so equipped. I'm not sure of which vehicle you are referring to, either one in your sig or something else...

air pump

Before my A/C went out it chirped, Thought it was the alternator first. Until the A/C locked up

Can't be the air pump. It's electric, and it only comes on when triggered by the computer. This is constant.

Yeah, it's my girl's car (even though I own it, LOL.) so I don't want her getting stranded.

Sounds like the A/C compressor then.

Thanks.

If it goes like mine did she will just see smoke pouring from under the hood, scared the $hit out of me. You can try adding some oil to the system

Did you disconnect the belt like mentioned earlier? If so what were your results?

Not yet, haven't had a chance since I've been workin and so has my girl.

Gonna try tonite.