AC squeaks bad!
New User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
AC squeaks bad!
I originally posted this problem on my 94 3.0 XL along time ago. Thought I fixed it but it's back. When idling, AC off, no noise, the neighbors are smiling 
. The minute I turn the AC on, it begins to squeal VERY LOUD the neighbors are frowning 
. Today, after troubleshooting my other problem I decided to squirt a little WD-40 on the clutch of the compressor. (No I didn't get any on the belt)The squealling stopped totally for about 1 min. then back again. The belt was replaced, and I am very confident the squealing is deff. coming from the AC. My question is, How do I know weather or not to replace the clutch pulley bearing, the clutch or the entire compressor w/clutch? It is a 134A factory system front and rear AC and I have recently noticed the AC is not getting as cooled as it once did? An help would be appreciated.
. The minute I turn the AC on, it begins to squeal VERY LOUD the neighbors are frowning . Today, after troubleshooting my other problem I decided to squirt a little WD-40 on the clutch of the compressor. (No I didn't get any on the belt)The squealling stopped totally for about 1 min. then back again. The belt was replaced, and I am very confident the squealing is deff. coming from the AC. My question is, How do I know weather or not to replace the clutch pulley bearing, the clutch or the entire compressor w/clutch? It is a 134A factory system front and rear AC and I have recently noticed the AC is not getting as cooled as it once did? An help would be appreciated.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 3
AC squeaks bad!
A couple of things come to mind. First, if you had any service work performed on the A/C system lately, your system may be overcharged. This will not only cause poor cooling performance but will also put a big strain on the compresssor and clutch making the belt slip and squeak.
I'm ashamed to admit it, but I once returned a brand new compressor because I thought the bearings were bad. It just squeaked and squalled something fierce when the A/C was engaged. When the second one did exactly the same thing, I looked closer and found the previously replaced serpentine belt was longer than the original, allowing the tensioner to unwind further than normal. While this worked fine for all other components, the tensioner could not provide enough 'grip' against the new compressor. After replacing the belt, the was problem solved. I only say this in an effort to have you look closer at the belt being the source of the noise and not the compressor clutch or bearing. It sure had me fooled at the time. I too, tried spraying with WD-40 and it seemed better for a moment then would return.
Lastly, if the belt is correct, you could still experience slippage if the compressor is failing due to lack of lubrication. A siezing compressor is not good. See the A/C forum and search for "Black Death", or go to ackits.com and see the article there under the same name.
I'm ashamed to admit it, but I once returned a brand new compressor because I thought the bearings were bad. It just squeaked and squalled something fierce when the A/C was engaged. When the second one did exactly the same thing, I looked closer and found the previously replaced serpentine belt was longer than the original, allowing the tensioner to unwind further than normal. While this worked fine for all other components, the tensioner could not provide enough 'grip' against the new compressor. After replacing the belt, the was problem solved. I only say this in an effort to have you look closer at the belt being the source of the noise and not the compressor clutch or bearing. It sure had me fooled at the time. I too, tried spraying with WD-40 and it seemed better for a moment then would return.
Lastly, if the belt is correct, you could still experience slippage if the compressor is failing due to lack of lubrication. A siezing compressor is not good. See the A/C forum and search for "Black Death", or go to ackits.com and see the article there under the same name.
New User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
AC squeaks bad!
Thanks for the help. The original problem was a continuois squeal. I replaced the belt, Then the tesioner. Now the squealing is bad on start up, REAL LOUD then if you lift your foot up fast off the gas and then ease it back down. it only squeals when the compressor cycles on. Well I think I might just try the belt again. Does anyone suggest only using a ford belt from the dealer or is that over kill?
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
AC squeaks bad!
I know about that noise. Can't miss it. Live up here in British Columbia, Canada and just started to use it all the time again. Terrible noise with the A/C on. I replaced the serpentine belt just after we got the van used, (it had the original still on it when I bought the van two years old). The new belt's the same as the old. Noisy after a couple of days. Funny thing was I lay under the front as it ran, with the noise, and used the side of a wrench and touched it to the back of the spinning belt as it went upto the compressor, (NO loose clothing!). The noise almost completely went away. I lay and observed it as the compressor cycled and the noise came and went. To me it seemed that when the compressor kicked in it caused the belt to slow and it would vibrate slightly a million times a second as the engine would keep it spinning. Then put the wrench up against it and the noise would stop. Its done this every summer since we got it in '96. It's a '94 XL extended, 3.0L. It cools really good, and put lots of miles on it since. Just doesn't seem to be anything "siezed", just me thinks a better belt, a bit wider would have helped. Or the idler in a different possition. Maybe? What can you do?!
