ac compressor squeals all the time

[auker1]

so when i got my car all back together after pulling the motor and fixing some stuff the ac belt /compressor squealed all the time. So i just took the belt off and the squealing went away. It was an extremely loud squeal. I didn't think much of it after i took the belt off. I decided to fix it yesterday. I took the ac compressor out and was gonna just put a clutch on it. Well they don't sell clutches for them so i don't know if it was just the belt or the clutch or the tensioner. Anyone know how to test these components? I don't want to put it back together and have it squeal again. Also i had just put all new serpentine belts on before the squealing started. i realize there are threads about this but mine squealed without turning the ac on.

 

[casperfast]

first try quirting wd40 on the belt while spining, if the issue is caused by the belt this will temporairily quiet the belt. if not then the compressor clutch coud be failing, try hitting the compressor clutch with some compressed air to blow out any dust or friction material in there. if none of this works check to make sure the belt it going straight onto the pulley, it might be misalligned.

 

[BogusSVO]

^^^ what he said

Or the ac compressor is starting to lock up internally, if that is the case you will have to replace the AC compressor.

 

[auker1]

hey thanks for the replies. i currently have the ac compressor out of the car. i ended up removing my intake manifold to get the compressor out. is there any way i can test the clutch with it out?

 

[BogusSVO]

Get a spare AC compressor plug from the pick and pull leave as much wire on the plug as you can.

apply 12v to the clutch with the spare plug and see if you can turn the clutch.

If the internals of the AC compressor are locking up, it will be hard, if at all you will be able to spin it with the clutch engaged.

 

[casperfast]

/\ /\ /\ what he said. you can spin the outer part of the clutch (PULLEY) that contacts the belt and it should spin nice and easy, then spin the inside of the compressor with your hands (center of pulley) they should move sepratley from each other but both easy. then 12v to the plug and should spin easy as one piece. the polarity ( positive and neagative) dont matter since its just a magnet.

 

[LOWBOOST91]

How did you determine which belt was squealling? just wondering... It should be free spining when the compressor is not on

 

[auker1]

to determine which belt it was, I sprayed wd-40 on the ps,wp and alt belt which didn't stop the squealing. So i removed the ac belt and it stopped. The clutch and the pulley are free spinning. Should i replace the compressor while its out cause its a bi*** to get to or have it checked out and reinstall it?

 

[LOWBOOST91]

There is no need to replace parts that arent broken, just the other day mine was doing the same thing some kind of bad, it was my alternator belt, i just found that it wasnt tight enough.

 

[dot45]

The tensioner pulley ate its bearing on my car..

Previous owner removed the AC compressor instead of changing a $15 bearing......