AC Clutch Squeal
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Florida
AC Clutch Squeal
The AC Clutch is now squealing whenever it engages (about 12 times every 60 seconds). I can hear it with the top up in my 95 vert. I recently purchased the car, but the PO replaced the compressor and dryer assm 3 years ago. (i have the receipt). BTW, the AC blows very cold. Is there anything that I can do with limited mechanical skills to fix this.Thanks all.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Carnegie PA
Try pressing on the serpentine belt to check its deflection. It should be under tension and not deflect much. If it feels loose the tensioner could be bad. This would allow the belt to slip and squeal whenever the compressor clutch kicks in.
Also the belt could be stretched, worn out, etc.
Also the belt could be stretched, worn out, etc.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
See if you can localize the squeal by listening carefully. If it is the compressor it could be the clutch bearings are bad. Just has that problem on another car and only replaced the clutch. If it is another idler pulley, those repaired are not to complex. Could be the belt but those belts are held pretty tight by the tensioner. You can always take of the belt off and spin the accessories and see if anything makes noises like a bearing.
As far as the excessive compressor cycling, on a normal working system low freon will cause this problem. This is the most common cause but I would just not put freon in with out a set of gauges. Generally auto A/C places will check it for free and if it is low its probably worth it the just let them do it if you don’t have gauges. The other side of the coin is the low pressure cut off switch could be bad which is a real easy replacement.
As far as the excessive compressor cycling, on a normal working system low freon will cause this problem. This is the most common cause but I would just not put freon in with out a set of gauges. Generally auto A/C places will check it for free and if it is low its probably worth it the just let them do it if you don’t have gauges. The other side of the coin is the low pressure cut off switch could be bad which is a real easy replacement.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Florida
As far as the excessive compressor cycling, on a normal working system low freon will cause this problem. This is the most common cause but I would just not put freon in with out a set of gauges. Generally auto A/C places will check it for free and if it is low its probably worth it the just let them do it if you don’t have gauges. The other side of the coin is the low pressure cut off switch could be bad which is a real easy replacement. [/QUOTE]
Took your advice, and you were right on. Local AC shop did the test for free and determined it was low on freon (even though it blows cold). Turns out, that was the reason why the clutch was cycling so much. They inspected the clutch and said it was normal. After the recharge, the clutch is cycling properly(2-3 times per minute, or less). Cost $100.00 to drain the system, oil and replenish the freon.
Thanks for the help.
[/QUOTE]Took your advice, and you were right on. Local AC shop did the test for free and determined it was low on freon (even though it blows cold). Turns out, that was the reason why the clutch was cycling so much. They inspected the clutch and said it was normal. After the recharge, the clutch is cycling properly(2-3 times per minute, or less). Cost $100.00 to drain the system, oil and replenish the freon.
Thanks for the help.
