So I have a 2005 C6 Corvette that I truly love. The car still looks exactly the way I bought it 6 years ago with 26K miles. Now it has 140,000 miles.

I had finally had enough of the engine bay squealing so I went out and bought a new tensioner, a/c idler and a new accessory idler pulley.

I still had a very faint squeal, but it was not an orchestra as it was before.

I also noticed that ALL of the old pulleys I replaced were free-rolling.

So then I drove for a few days and was like why don't I change the belts as well.

Went to my local Advance Auto and bought new Dayco belts.

After putting then on and driving for about 240 miles, I noticed that my car was still making a squealing sound that intermittently got worse when I had higher revs.

I then jacked the car up, and removed the main accessory belt. Noise still present. I then took the A/C belt off, NOISE GONE.

So since I had already replaced the a/c idler, that meant the only problem was most likely the A/C compressor. I started rotating the compressor and noticed a fine line of rust along the edges where the 2 a/c plates meet (where the magnet acts to close the gap). I spread the 2 plates apart and HOSED the area down with PB Blaster. Let it soak and watched the rust melt away.

I put the belt back on, NO MORE NOISE!

So for now I have completely quieted the engine bay down. For all those that are completely confused about what is causing your problems, go ahead and REPLACE the tensioner and 2 idlers. If you still have a noise, the only other area I can think of is the A/C clutch plate.

My Harmonic balancer does not wobble (or make any noises when the belts are off)

I am just curous how long I will be noise free, I am hoping my a/c dies soon (car still under extended warranty and they cover the compressor)

 

Anyone have any good lubricating solutions that DO NOT burn away from friction or heat OR even wash away (for the future, in case the noise comes bacK)

 

Ok. Nm. Sound back. Occ queal squeal (faint) then goes away. I know it has to be a bearing in the ac compressor. Car cools fine and clutch of the ac engages wout difficulty. Anyone know if the replacement of the ac bearing is a DIY?

STEPS AND PART NUMBERS?

 

Thanks for sharing your diagnostic procedures.

If it is still under warranty... why not let them fix it?

 

The thing is my warranty needs to see PART FAILURE. So I am wondering if I can fix it myself...

 

We had a GM car a few years ago that started making a similar noise from the same area.....tried similar things as you and it came back. Took it to dealer figuring I needed a new AC clutch but instead the technician just adjusted the air gap and problem gone .... And at no charge
Good luck

 

since your in houston you could call compressor warehouse. they are very helpful they could certainly tell you if you can change the bearing and im sure they would have it in stock (at a good price) they have always taken care of me.

 

Ok thanks guys. I am wondering how I can eliminate the stupid squeak squeak sueak silent.... when I rev the engine. Sounds like a hoopty. A/C cools fine. Stupid junky part.

 

This morning lubed it up. Still squealing like a banshee... When warm all is quite...

I am suspecting the dayco ac belt. Will swap and post an update. I may just go to gm and buy theirs...
Bearings dont quiet down when warm right?
Or do they?

 

We use this at work for high heat applications...



A nickel and graphite based anti-seize compound formulated to protect up to 2400ºF against seizure and galling, galvanic and severe environmental corrosion. Never-Seez® Pure Nickel Special is a superior, high temperature anti-seize and extreme pressure lubricant. It contains flake particles of pure nickel, graphite and other additives in a special grease carrier found to enhance anti-seize performance.
This product is recommended for use when applications prohibit the presence of copper, especially when resistance to corrosive acidic and caustic solutions is required.

 

I had a very similar problem to this on my LS2 GTO and it ended up being my A/C belt tensioner. Seems like you replaced everything but that.

 

How do you know its not the harmonic balancer? I've seen these threads before where a owner changed every item on the serpentine system only to change out the balancer in the end. I'd take the car to a reputable dealer in your area and get a second opinion.

 

Update:

Btw I did change the ac tensioner. I got an all silver one from dayco.

I drove my car this morning. Squealed again. Brought it home sprayed degreaser all overthe belts and all was quiet.

I ewent ahead and placed my old belt back on. All IS QUIET.

SEEMS like it was the belt all along. Going to return the stupid dayco belt. Kinda nervous about buying another gm belt.

All is quiet. Belt looks ok. Probable 40k miles on it. Opinions? Change it?

 

Will reassess in the morning and give an update. It 30 degrees outside. So if its going to squeal, will def do it tomorrow given the weather conditiongs

 

I know these types of problems seem elementary but can be annoying. Hope you solved it.

 

it truly is..... i squealed my whole drive home....

 

The belt problem was also an issue with the C-5 Generation.

Many of us went with Goodyear Gator Back belts with good results.

If you need a new belt, return the Dayco for a Gatorback, then you should get another 160K miles

BTW - Glad to hear you drive the car that much, I can't understand why so many vettes are garage queens, it's a great fun car to drive...so drive it...

 

My compressor started squeak. I thought it was the pulley but didn't investigate. Each day it seem to get worse. Eventually my ac stopped working. So I took it in and they told me my compressor went out. They also changed my harmonic balancer (it did wobble) and water pump. This is on my 08 this past summer with only 40k miles.

 

This is a common story with some owners. A bad wobble will eventually take out other components, sometimes it is beneficial as well to change out a water pump if you have dropped the front suspension, rad, etc. for the harmonic balancer swap.

 

Awesome. Still quiet BTW. Slight jingle ONLY in the compressor. The bearing is going out. Cant wait until my a/c destroys itself..... YAY for WARRANTIES!