Noise in the front -- can a failing fan clutch squeak?

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Apr 16, 2014 | 08:34 PM

#16

james1

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From: Englewood, TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by j_martin

Compressor squeeks usually occur when not turning, and are in the idling bearing in the pulley assembly. When the clutch is engaged, that bearing is bypassed (locked up so to speak) and the only noise would be from the compressor itself. It would be unusual for it to do that very long without total failure.

I had a sense this was the case -- the first time I heard the squeak I switched on the A/C and expected the squeak to stop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by j_martin

Thanks; that's a great suggestion. As fate would have it, when I purchased the non-A/C belt, the parts store also had one of those fancy green Gates belts to fit a truck with A/C so I went ahead and bought it. As I've now discovered how incredibly easy it is to change the belt on my truck, I'll install the new belt to see what happens

Apr 23, 2014 | 08:49 AM

#17

james1

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From: Englewood, TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by j_martin

Before you get all carried away, the AC compressor puts a big load on the belt, and if it's prone to, that's when it'll squeak. Try a new belt before you spend a lot of time and money on it. Also look at both the crankshaft pulley and the AC pulley for signs of wear as I stated previously.

Compressor squeeks usually occur when not turning, and are in the idling bearing in the pulley assembly. When the clutch is engaged, that bearing is bypassed (locked up so to speak) and the only noise would be from the compressor itself. It would be unusual for it to do that very long without total failure.

A new belt seems to have done the trick! you were 100% correct. Thanks so much; I owe you a pint of Guinness.

The pulleys appear to be in good shape. My previous belt had no markings or label on it whatsoever, and I'm guessing it was very cheap quality-wise. It wasn't terribly old and was installed by Cummins Power South

, so I never suspected it as the culprit.

My new belt is one of the solid green ("premium") Gates belts that ran me about $50, which is still a whole lot less than a new A/C compressor.

Thanks again.