AC belt squealing..bad compressor?

[durrell]

My belt squeals horribly when I first turn the AC on and anytime after that when the compressor clicks on. I've pulled it into the garage and looked at the belt and it seems to be completely stopping as the pulley continues to turn, which results in the squeal.

I'm wondering if the compressor itself is going bad or if it could be something more simple. I haven't had a chance to pull the skid plates off and check the tension, but I'm pretty sure it's tight. The belts look decently new.

Any ideas?

 

[theizzardking]

i'm with you thinking bearing or tension on belt.

 

[JeremyH]

Are you sure that it isnt an idler pulley that has siezed?

 

[durrell]

Well the belt does work 80 percent of the time, it just squeals when the A/C is on. Could a seized idler pulley cause that sort of sporadic squeal? I figured if it was totally seized, it would squeal non-stop.

 

[JeremyH]

That is true.

I would pull the belt off when you get a chance and check all of the pulleys before you tear into the compressor. BTW, replace the belt when you fix the issue.

 

[durrell]

I'm going to pull it in the garage in a little while and pull the skidplate off so I can get to the compressor. I really hope it's not the compressor itself. Ugh.

 

[durrell]

Well, it does look like it may be the compressor. The compressor seizes up and almost stops before revving back up and keeping going. The question is if it needs replacing or if it just needs a good lube job.

Any suggestions?

 

[Justin727]

replacing

 

[durrell]

Anyone know if the compressor from any 98-02 will work? If so, I'm going to check some salvage yards. A new one with a clutch is 310 bucks.

Edit: eBay is awesome. How's this look?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-...Q5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_2606wt_1308

Edit2: On second thought, looking around the Interwebs it appears that this could be an idler pulley bearing or a loose belt. I really don't want to have to drop the cash on getting the A/C fixed, because it appears that could really end up being a pain..

 

[Justin727]

Anyone know if the compressor from any 98-02 will work? If so, I'm going to check some salvage yards. A new one with a clutch is 310 bucks.

Edit: eBay is awesome. How's this look?

NEW AC Compressor 4Runner 3.4 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 : eBay Motors (item 320422347364 end time May-07-10 09:50:55 PDT)

Edit2: On second thought, looking around the Interwebs it appears that this could be an idler pulley bearing or a loose belt. I really don't want to have to drop the cash on getting the A/C fixed, because it appears that could really end up being a pain..

You need to get the noise properly diagnosed before you consider buying anything.

I purchased an a/c compressor, drier, Orings, and Oil from this gentleman here.
eBay Store - ac compressor: fuel pump, evaporator core, condenser
Actually went to his real online store and purchased everything. I can say after a year everything still works fine. Of course I did everything the correct way. Converting from R12, flushing the system, changing out all Orings, expansion valve, drier, etc etc.
A/C in my 91 camry is ice cold, actually cooler than my 4runner.

 

[durrell]

I wouldn't need to convert from R12, would I?

I don't want to buy anything big without getting it diagnosed, but I would like to try to grease or tighten anything I can before I take it to a shop and get ripped off.

 

[Justin727]

I wouldn't need to convert from R12, would I?

I don't want to buy anything big without getting it diagnosed, but I would like to try to grease or tighten anything I can before I take it to a shop and get ripped off.

No you wouldn't need to convert. You would just need to vacuum the system down properly/recover freon, then add oil(pag) to the compressor per recomendations, a tablespoon to the drier, replace Orings off of things you took apart, bolt it all together, vacuum the system down agian for about 15-20 minutes, and then charge it to how many lbs it says.

 

[durrell]

I imagine if I have to do anything that extensive I will just suck it up and take it to the shop.

At this point I'm probably going to check tension on the belt and make sure the pulley is greased with some white lithium to see if that improves the issue.

Thanks for the help..I'll keep you guys updated.

 

[Justin727]

Anytime.

I think you should take it to a shop for proper diagnosis and repair. Might save yourself a few hundred.

 

[durrell]

Good news. The compressor is engaging and disengaging fine. The tensioner pulley for the AC belt just needed to be tightened. I shot some white lithium grease to both pulleys for good measure and it's quiet as a mouse now. I got under there and watched the compressor engage and disengage and it worked like it should.

What a relief.

Thanks for the help guys. Particularly Justin.

 

[Justin727]

Good news to hear! I'm glad for $ sakes it wasn't the compressor!!!

Anytime Durrell