Squealing noise when I turn on the ac

[samdajellybeenie14]

When I turn my AC on after my truck has been sitting for a while, the AC belt squeals when the engine is in park, then when I drive off, it squeals even more. But, when I'm in drive and moving when the engine is still cold, and then put in neutral, rev the engine a bit just to see if it's still there, it squeals again and then when it gets back down to a certain rpm, it stops squealing completely. It also squeals in damp or rainy weather. After the engine has warmed up a little (though not completely to where the coolant temp needle is in the middle of the gauge) it stops squealing and never starts again. Any ideas as to what this could be?? I hope it's not something expensive as hell like the compressor, I hope it's just the belt.eace:

 

[Harleydoc]

Sounds like a belt my ac compressor is shot it clunks when the clutch kicks in

 

[LittleCaesar]

If the drive belt for the AC has not been changed in some time, change it. While you are at it, change the other two drive belts as well.

If the belt is new(er), tighten the adjuster nut ever so slightly after loosening the idler pulley until the squeal goes away. You want about 1/2" of deflection in the belt between the idler pulley and the balancer. Just don't make it too tight.

I take it the AC works OK?

 

[TheDurk]

It could be the belt, or the idler pulley bearing could be on its way out. The sounds are similar. Tighten first and see if it works. If not, change belt and examine idler while the belt is off. If it does not rotate quietly and smoothly, change it, too.

 

[Zachpins34]

try changing the belts, theres 3 of em. I think I paid like $25 when I did mine. If that doesnt fix it then maybe ac compressor?

 

[t4r4life]

dont have to change it just tighten the belt, the adjuster bolt is under the alternator.

 

[kman55]

Check the tension on the compressor belt and if it's okay it may just be shot and time for a new one.

 

[TheDurk]

dont have to change it just tighten the belt, the adjuster bolt is under the alternator.

Uhh...WAY under. The A/C tensioner is on the very bottom. I think you need to pull the skid plate, IIRC, and go at it from underneath.

This is looking up from underneath. The adjuster bolt is the hex head that is not circled by the 'r' in tensioner. If you need to change it, you have to pull the P/S first. At that point, change all three.

 

[LittleCaesar]

It is under the power steering pump to my recollection.

As Durk said, check the idler pulley as well. It runs about $40 for a new one.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Uhh...WAY under. The A/C tensioner is on the very bottom. I think you need to pull the skid plate, IIRC, and go at it from underneath.

Yup, this is correct. I just broke off my tensioner bolt trying to tighten it. Now I have to wait til it gets warmer and I am going to replace the entire AC bracket. Until then, I get some massive squealing too.

 

[TheDurk]

Yup, this is correct. I just broke off my tensioner bolt trying to tighten it. Now I have to wait til it gets warmer and I am going to replace the entire AC bracket. Until then, I get some massive squealing too.

Did you loosen the set bolt first?? I'm guessing you didn't. Or was it the good old MA NaCl had it locked up fatally?

 

[Harleydoc]

Dd break off flat or is there some of it sticking out if its sticking out you can pick up and nut extractor set used for rounded off nuts and bolts but will work for a broke off bolt as well a set a advance is like 15 buck and worth every dollar of it it should make fast work to get that bolt out and just replace it with and new bolt.. Hope you still got something's to work with