Need a little help please if this might be common, I have an 02 Z06 and upon startup I get a squeak and chirping coming from the engine, it seems to go away after it warms up. I am almost positive it is the belt on AC. It also is more persistent with the AC on. Anything to look at that might be a known issue. Will start to diagnose tomorrow just looking for some time saving hints. TIA

Bob

 

Check for posts on the idler and or tensioner squeaks which are common....it could also be a belt, I had a squeaky tensioner, replaced that, then a year later had a similar squeak, I thought it was the tensioner again ...it turned out to be the belt....

 

It sounds like the A/C clutch to me. Been there, done that.....
The compressor will need to be replaced unless you can find someone to rebuild the clutch.

Because the compressor is expensive $200-575 depending on new /used and source,
check the lesser expensive possibilites.
belts,
pulleys ( after belts are removed hand spin them, look for wobble, feel if they spin freely or feel gritty.
I you ID wobble or binding.. that is the culprit.

 

I disagree with the AC. I have the same squeak and it seems to be coming from the tensioner. Of course there could be multiple sources, but turning the AC on simply increases the load on the belt. This likely increases the rubbing of the metal surfaces in the tensioner. Remember the weakest link theory - the tensioner provides the tension for the whole system and is only a bearing on a wheel. What lubrication do you know that can stand up to under the hood of a vette?

 

Thanks guys, just got in from trying to diagnose it and would you not believe that the squeak did not last long, last night it was continuous, my luck, but I took the main belt off and the bearing in the pulley on the tensioner does not sound good when spun, I looked at the bearing number and sure enough I had one, was not lucky at removing it though because the plastic ring holding it in broke so I will be replacing that (same bearing used in lawn mower decks ) Also I am going to replace the two pulley assemblies on bottom for the AC belt, because for the short time the sound was being made that is where it sounded like it was coming from.

Also I am keeping my fingers crossed that I fixed this annoying click in the left front. GM replaced the sway-bar links, the front spring, bearing assemble and sway bar bushings (thank goodness for GMPP) trying to fix it and none cured it so today I was going try. Jacked it up and I could get a faint click by spinning the wheel, so I took off the caliper and there was next to no grease on the slider pins. Cleaned the remnants off and re-greased, I also put a thin layer of anti-seize to the top hat of the rotor where the wheel meets. I have driven this car in and out of the driveway with no clicking thus far. Keeping my fingers crossed because it did it every time prior.

 

I have this same problem. I just replaced the upper tensioner and belt. It still chirps. I have a lower belt and am going to get a tensioner and replace it. If that does not do it then I will look at the a/c clutch. At least I will know the belts and tensioners will be good.

 

Mine's been making noise. It is the AC clutch plate rubbing on the pulley. It only does it with the AC off. I've been told that I can just turn the nut off a turn or so and then use a puller and pull the clutch plate slightly away to get clearance. But, the nut is round with a notch in it so it requires a special tool to remove.

Peter

 

Update:

After replacing the AC tensioner, AC idler pulley and installing a new belt the sound has vanished. The bearings were shot and the grease was spun out of the seal on the bearing.