A/C chirp
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 189
From: beach
St. Jude Donor '13
A/C chirp
I have the annoying chirp. Car is an 04 LS6 with 23K. Belts looks like they are in great shape. The sound is continuous and does not change pitch with RPM or AC turned on or off. Before I go tearing into my belts, I was feeling around and noticed that the plate (sort of triangular shaped piece- a/c clutch I'm assuming) on the front of my A/C compressor is loose. Is this spring loaded and supposed to have play? Not sure if this is normal or where the noise is coming from. Planning on doing the pulleys and belt hoping that will be the fix. I did do a search and found nothing related to this specific question. Input appreciated.
Last edited by Zap City; Nov 1, 2011 at 07:30 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,360
Likes: 1,127
From: Dyer, IN
Yes.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
The clutch plate is held with (if I remember correct) a 13MM nut in the center. It should be tight. There is also a spec for the gap on the clutch face. If your gap is too large you can remove a spacer. I doubt this will cause the noise you hear.
IF if only occurs with a/c on I suspect the a/c tensioner. Mine was squeeking also and not the pully. It was the pivot point that was worn allowing misalignment. There is suppose to be a new design tensioner. Dont' know when it came out.
It is an easy job about 10 min after jacking to remove the old tensioner and about 4 hrs to install the new one unless you have "tiny" hands. I don't. I made a jig out of wood to hold the tensioneer in place until I could get the bolt started and tab in the slot. Real PITA to install.
IF if only occurs with a/c on I suspect the a/c tensioner. Mine was squeeking also and not the pully. It was the pivot point that was worn allowing misalignment. There is suppose to be a new design tensioner. Dont' know when it came out.
It is an easy job about 10 min after jacking to remove the old tensioner and about 4 hrs to install the new one unless you have "tiny" hands. I don't. I made a jig out of wood to hold the tensioneer in place until I could get the bolt started and tab in the slot. Real PITA to install.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 52
From: Colorado Springs CO
Oh, and just go ahead an get the real GM tensioner! You'll play the crazy part number game if you go to Autozone or anywhere else and just end up with the wrong one...don't ask me how I know. No issues when I used the actual GM parts to do the pulley and tensioner. Hi, my name is Glen, and I've been squeak free for a year now!
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
Check the spec (clutch to pulley clearance of .010 to .015?) on the clutch gap. Your gap may be too large and need a shim removed.
Last edited by jimcork1; Nov 2, 2011 at 11:42 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
When there is no significant change in the two belt systems with rpm, that should take out the two belts systems and their components,from the diag... there is however an unrelated rotating apparatus that is not effected by engine rpm.. that's the electric cooling fans. I would look there first...
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
I don't have small hands and I had no trouble removing and installing the AC tensioner from the top...
Finding the problem and getting rid of the chirp is a pain. I had mine gone but it comes back when it's colder out.
Peter
Finding the problem and getting rid of the chirp is a pain. I had mine gone but it comes back when it's colder out.
Peter
