is my belt tensioner going?

[mnKISSgirl]

I've had my belt replaced twice since I bought my 98 over 5 years ago (and no clue how many times w/1st owner) so I don't know if the tensioner is going or what exactly is causing this, but...

A few times in the last 3 weeks I've noticed kind of a "metallic" hissing sound coming from the engine/belt component area that stops once I hit the A/C, and starts up again when I turn it off. The noise isn't always there, and the random times it is, it gradually goes away a few miles down the road. I thought I'd hit the A/C to see if it did have something to do with the belt, expecting it to get louder or something, so I was surprised when it did the opposite. I'm thinking kicking in the A/C makes the belt tighten up, making the noise go away, so maybe it's because the tensioner is starting to go? Or possibly the water pump or some other component run by the belt is going out?

Any clue? Thanks!

[wapenn]

You can check the belt tension by pressing in the middle of the belt half-way between two pulleys.

You can check the bearings on the AC compresser, water pump, alternator and power steering by removing the belt and turning their pulleys. That should narrow it down a bid. They should be smooth without excessive slop.

Originally Posted by mnKISSgirl

I've had my belt replaced twice since I bought my 98 over 5 years ago (and no clue how many times w/1st owner) so I don't know if the tensioner is going or what exactly is causing this, but...

A few times in the last 3 weeks I've noticed kind of a "metallic" hissing sound coming from the engine/belt component area that stops once I hit the A/C, and starts up again when I turn it off. The noise isn't always there, and the random times it is, it gradually goes away a few miles down the road. I thought I'd hit the A/C to see if it did have something to do with the belt, expecting it to get louder or something, so I was surprised when it did the opposite. I'm thinking kicking in the A/C makes the belt tighten up, making the noise go away, so maybe it's because the tensioner is starting to go? Or possibly the water pump or some other component run by the belt is going out?

Any clue? Thanks!

[mnKISSgirl]

Thanks for the tips!

[mnKISSgirl]

ooops! ignore that smiley, I didn't realize it was flashing the loser gesture!

[94VL]

What brand of belt? I have found Goodyear Gator Backs work excellent on the 2.0/2.2...after years of suffering with Gates squeaky belts.

[mnKISSgirl]

I'll have to check the brand, but I don't think it's the belt making the noise, because it's not constant and it isn't the same annoying noise the belt makes when it's cracked.

[chevboy]

what i would check is the clutch in the A.C. Compressor its worth a couple hundred dollars to fix where i live in canada and thats what i had to change in my and it was doing the same thing then the ac stopped working so ichanged the clutch and now it works a1

[mnKISSgirl]

Originally Posted by chevboy

what i would check is the clutch in the A.C. Compressor its worth a couple hundred dollars to fix where i live in canada and thats what i had to change in my and it was doing the same thing then the ac stopped working so ichanged the clutch and now it works a1

I'll check it out - thanks man!