a/c belt squeel
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 141
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From: Hampstead NC
a/c belt squeel
I have a terribly obnoxious and embarassing a/c belt squeel (with a/c on & off) that is worse when I first crank up car. It gets better after 10+ miles of driving, but is still squeeling. I have sprayed belt dressing on the a/c belt to verify and it stops squeeling immediately, but starts back within 10 seconds or so. Would you guys think it is the belt, or one or both idler pulleys? Could a shade tree mechanic such as myself change the pulley & or belt? It looks awful tight in there. Is the idler bolt a reverse thread? Any advice or instructions would be appreciated.
99 convertible
99 convertible
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 688
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From: Rye Brook, NY
Re: a/c belt squeel (BackSpacer_C5)
I had the same problem. It was only corrected after entire AC Compressor was replaced after it failed completely. I had all other belts and pullies replaced before this and nothing helped.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,539
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From: Arlington TX
Re: a/c belt squeel (BackSpacer_C5)
Are you sure it is the A/C? It is very unlikely it would squeel with the a/c off. If you do some searches you will find info that many people (including myself) have had sqeeling just as you describe that gets better after about 10 or so minutes of driving. Almost every squeel I have read about has come from the main belt.
Mine has had the tensioner replaced twice, 4 belts (all without fixing the problem) and last time the pwr steering pump was replaced. The last fix occured 2 weeks ago. Everytime the dealer replaced the belt the squeel went away for a while. Some people have said that switching to I believe it is a Gatorback belt that is slightly smaller than stock cures the problem, mine was covered under warranty or I would have tried that first.
Mine has had the tensioner replaced twice, 4 belts (all without fixing the problem) and last time the pwr steering pump was replaced. The last fix occured 2 weeks ago. Everytime the dealer replaced the belt the squeel went away for a while. Some people have said that switching to I believe it is a Gatorback belt that is slightly smaller than stock cures the problem, mine was covered under warranty or I would have tried that first.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 141
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From: Hampstead NC
Re: a/c belt squeel (rgregory)
It for sure is the a/c belt. I can localize belt dressing on just the main belt and squeel continues. I can spray just a drop on the a/c belt or a/c belt tensioner/pulley and the squeel immediately stops, but returns fairly quick. The a/c works perfect. Very cold. Could it be the a/c belt or pulley? I think I can change them myself, but I don't want to waste my money if its not going to fix it. Any other thoughts?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Columbia MD
Re: a/c belt squeal (BackSpacer_C5)
You can access everything from under the car a little easier. Try cleaning the belts and pulleys with windshield washer solvent, yes i said that. Believe it or not it is a good agent to clean pulleys and belt grooves provided the belt isn't cracked at all. The idler and tensioner are fairly easy to replace once the main belt is removed. I'd try removing this and starting it up first to absolutely eliminate it also. Lord knows the main idler, tensioner and alternator have been redesigned to eliminate this annoying occurrence.
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Instructor
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From: Hampstead NC
Re: a/c belt squeal (bowtiebandit)
BowTieBandit,
Since I can make it stop squeeling by spraying just the a/c belt and pulley and not the main belt & pulley, wouldn't that be almost as good as removing the a/c belt and testing? The reason I am asking is that I was going to order the parts tonight. I understand that it would be an educated guess on your part and I wouldn't hold you to it.
Since I can make it stop squeeling by spraying just the a/c belt and pulley and not the main belt & pulley, wouldn't that be almost as good as removing the a/c belt and testing? The reason I am asking is that I was going to order the parts tonight. I understand that it would be an educated guess on your part and I wouldn't hold you to it.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Columbia MD
Re: a/c belt squeal (BackSpacer_C5)
For the most part I'd say yes but it's your money :D Seriously it only takes a few seconds to make sure by removing it off the pulleys. I have found no matter how perfect I try and shoot it in there I usually get it everywhere but if you are sure you didnt I'd say yes.
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Burning Brakes
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From: Joplin Mo
Re: a/c belt squeal (BackSpacer_C5)
Had the same problem just three weeks ago. I thought it was the clutch bearing in the AC compressor but a mechanic did the same thing and spryed dressing on the belt and the squeal momentarily went away. Replaced the AC belt and no squeal for three weeks now.
