Hey guys,

New to the forum and to diesel trucks. Been wanting one for years and finally got my hands on a 2001 F250 Crew Cab Long Bed 7.3L PSD. Completely stoked.

So anyway, I just bought this thing last week. All has been great with it, except today. I hopped in and fired it up, only to hear a squealing noise. I popped the hood and its coming from the A/C compressor (the clutch was not engaged.) I kicked the A/C on, so the clutch kicked in and the pitch of the squealing changed. The intensity of the squealing correlates with engine speed.

My first thought was the clutch going. I have had this problem in a previous car. I have read a couple threads on here about replacing just the clutch. Seems pretty straight forward.

Could it be just the serp belt. It looks it half decent shape.

How do I decipher between the clutch or the entire compressor?

 

When the A/C is off, the clutch spins on the bearing. With A/C on the bearing doesn't spin at all, but the compressor internals are moving. The clutch will make no noise while operating.

I suspect the belt. A slightly glazed belt can squeal. Engaging the A/C clutch puts a different stress on the belt, which may make it pull tighter on the upstream pulley, and change the sound of the slip.

I'd change out the belt, and keep the old one as a spare in your parts kit ion the back.

 

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So if the belt is glazed it could squeal at any one certain pulley. I.e. the ac compressor?

 

Pull the belt off and spin the pulley by hand. If it sounds and feels good, a good belt should fix you up. If the pulley feels rough or hard to turn, then a new one will need to be gotten.

 

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do they make a good aftermarket serp belt?
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Some people here run aftermarket belts from Advance, Autozone, Orielleys and other people love "OEM baby". To each his own. Mine will get replaced with one from Advance when it is time.

 

I like ford or Gates belts usually sold by places like NAPA or Carquest. However, just about all the aftermarket belts have increased in quality over the last few years so about any of them will do.

 

Ok, tomorrow I pop the belt off and see how free spinning the pulley is. It will give me a better chance to inspect the belt too.

 

Be sure to check the idler wheel bearing when you pull the belt.

 

Check the clutch gap on the A/C pulley. .020'' or more needs addressed.

 

While you have the belt off check all pulleys! Pull in and out and wiggle side to side and spin them to make sure they are all smooth and free of play. Also your belt tensioner could be weak also. Mine did the same as yours and mine was solved by a new belt. It would be a good time to change your radiator hose to a dual alternator hose that goes around the belt.

 

Too fast for me... I was going to suggest the same. I did this on mine when I replaced my degass bottle.

 

NEW BELT....NO SQUEALING!!!

THANKS GUYS!!!

 

The actual gap specification for the A/C pulley to clutch is .014 inches to 0.030 inches. Most people just say 0.020 inches since it is close to the middle of that band.

Since the Radiator hose for DUAL ALTERNATOR has been mentioned two times now, does anyone have a ford part number for that item? I want to do that to mine. Aftermarket hose or FORD part for that hose?

To the OP, nice to see your noise dissapear. Great job saving yourself some money doing it yourself and learning more about your truck.
Dwayne