A/C causing metallic squeaking / whining?
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My '02 civic is making a super high pitched metallic squeaking sound, but only if the A/C is on, so I'm assuming it's a loose belt? My question is that just a couple of months ago I had a lot of work done on this care - new timing belt, waterpump, power steering belt and alt belt. Is it possible that they loosened the A/C belt while doing all of this other work? Thanks.
#2
Re: A/C causing metallic squeaking / whining?
Get a simple squirt gun from a 99 cent store, a cheap-o one that sprays a tiny stream... or some other squirt bottle that can spray a stream. fill it with some warm soapy water.
With A/C running and making noise, spray the soapy water solution directly onto the spinning belt (on the inside, which makes contact with the A/C compressor clutch pulley). If the noise stops, you have a belt problem... Inspect and replace the belt if you see any cracks or damage, or simply adjust the belt tension if the belt looks okay.
Since it's a metallic squeaking noise, there's a second possibility. If the noise doesn't stop, you would likely have a failing A/C compressor bearing.
With A/C running and making noise, spray the soapy water solution directly onto the spinning belt (on the inside, which makes contact with the A/C compressor clutch pulley). If the noise stops, you have a belt problem... Inspect and replace the belt if you see any cracks or damage, or simply adjust the belt tension if the belt looks okay.
Since it's a metallic squeaking noise, there's a second possibility. If the noise doesn't stop, you would likely have a failing A/C compressor bearing.
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Thanks Green, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. Some bad news... today the noise was there without the A/C being on. I started the car and it started squealing even though the A/C was off. The blower itself wasn't even on if that matters. Then, since I thought the A/C was the problem, I turned it on to see what would happen and nothing really changed... maybe a slight pitch change in the squealing. I turned the A/C off and then on again and then off again and that last time I turned it off the noise went away.
I'm also going to retract the 'metallic' description I gave the squealing... it really is just that high pitched whining we've all heard in older cars.
Could it be the alternator belt?
I'm also going to retract the 'metallic' description I gave the squealing... it really is just that high pitched whining we've all heard in older cars.
Could it be the alternator belt?
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just some quick info...the alt and a/c share the same belt. the PS has its own belt. and yes usually that noise is made by a loose belt. new belts do get worn in over time and possibly require adjustment.
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If it DOES end up sounding metallic, it is the bearings on the A/C compressor CLUTCH. This is a fairly common failure part. I've replaced it once on my EM2, twice on my EP3 (K series A/C compressor clutches fail a LOT for whatever reason).
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So I took the car back to the mechanic who had just replaced all of my belts back in May. He said the alternator and power steering belts were both a bit loose. He tightened them up and we were on our way. No more squealing thus far!
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