1997 Sunfire Gt intermittant squeeling Problem

[busty]

I have a 97 Gt that makes a squeely tinny sound sometimes. It goes away immeditately when I turn the air conditioner on. It goes away on its own sometimes. Sometimes it stays for quite a while. I've tried belt dressing but that doesn't seem to work. What I was wondering is why it goes away immediately when the ac is put on. Does it need a new belt?
Any response is appreciated. Thanks

[richtazz]

you have an a/c compressor clutch going out. they rattle when disengaged, and stop rattling when engaged. it's a common problem with these cars.

[yimmity]

It's the a/c compressor clutch,it has moved,needs to be backed out,and it is common, but you don,t need a new clutch,just backed out 015-020 thousands of a inch with a a/c clutch puller tool.

[LeoP]

Are these answers for real?

See my thread?

My wife's 2000, which she hasn't had long, does exactly the same thing, a grindy metallic noise when the AC is DISENGAGED only, and not all the time then.

We had it to our dealer this week, for the igniton recall, and they said the compressor noise is a bearing going out. They said the compressor needs to be replaced, $800.

I've seen others that have had the same complaint and I believe one said their compressor did go out, and, of course, stranded them.

I have been online and on the phone all day trying to find if the serpentine belt for the no AC configuration will work, bypassing the compressor for now.

But now you are saying it is just a tweak of the compressor, huh?

So, how would we know if it is the bearing going bad or the clutch out too far?

The clutch out too far makes more sense, since there is no grinding ever when it is engaged, only when the clutch is out. My dealer's only answer to that was, "I dunno why."

And how do you do that fix, with the compressor on or off the engine?


http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=244892


http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=277546

[yimmity]

Go to www.aircondition.com,do a search for clutch drag,that's where i got the information to repair my car,which had the metal screeching sound when the a/c was off,

[LeoP]

Thanks. I'll do that.

Could it be that there are two Compressor problems, one being the bearing, perhaps with an all-the-time metallic grinding noise, and the other being the clutch asembly being too far out when it is disengaged, causing the intermittent metallic grinding noise?

If so, the diagnosis should hinge on whether the grinding is all-the-time or just when the ac is disengaged.

Shouldn't dealers know the difference, if that's the case?

Originally Posted by yimmity

Go to www.aircondition.com,do a search for clutch drag,that's where i got the information to repair my car,which had the metal screeching sound when the a/c was off,

[LeoP]

Well, by Yimmity, I see they are just as undecided on the site you recommended as we are on this.

"Blair" is asking about intermittent compressor grinding, only when compressor is off.

"GM Tech" is saying the probelm is "clutch plate drag" and Ignacio Corella saying it couldbe either a bearing failure or "clutch plate drag." At least he suggests how to determine which it is.

At the dealer this is an $800 fix.

It would be more comforting if folks were in better agreement about what is causing the intermittment grinding.


http://www.aircondition.com/wwwboard/2003Q1/10558.html


http://www.aircondition.com/wwwboard/2003Q1/5967.html

[yimmity]

Well now you know how to determine which part is the problem,in either case you should get a second and even a third opinion from shop's that specialize in a/c systems,$800 to repair from dealer is way to high,in my opinion!

[LeoP]

I put the shorter belt on, bypassing the compressor, and it is working fine. I posted a hint on replacing the belt.

The car appears to be running fine. I haven't had to call my wife to come pick me up yet!

I can now turn the compressor pulley by hand, as is suggested on the site you linked to. If feels firm, but it is rubbing on the the adjacent metal plate.

I have sent a letter to my Service Manager, with copies of posts from both these site, discussing the two possible causes, asking him why they are so confident the compressor needs to be replaced.

[yimmity]

That's your clutch plate,as i stated earlier in my first post.

[LeoP]

In today's mail was a survey from our dealer, with an appeal that we check every item as "Completely Satisfied".

[busty]

I still have a squeeky tinny sounding a/c clutch I will live with it for now. thanks for your responses. I have found that my problem is not unique. I see that many other sunfire problems are similar to mine. Right now I have a loss of anti-freeze. I think it's a water pump leak. I am going to try to upload a photo I took from under the car. I'm not sure if it's even a water pump. You can see a drop of the anti-freeze. It seems to be leaking from the 10 mm bolt area, which I tightened to nof avail. I hope the photo uploads. Any response is welcomed.

[LeoP]

I sure would like to pin down this "clutch plate drag" v. "bearing failure" AC compressor problem. Now, using the shorter belt and bypassing the compressor, by turning the compressor pulley by hand I can feel that it is firm, but rubbing on some adjoining metal.

My dealer's Service Manager called on our cell phone while we were on vacation. His problem is that GM does not offer a fix involving adjusting the clutch plate as some have referred to here.

He has to do a fix that would be covered by GM warranty, which would mean either replacing the entire compressor, or enough of the parts at the pulley end to solve the problem. Both have a $700-plus price tag.

Of course, replacing the entire compressor would make more sense, given only those two choices.

His words were, "Something is causing those parts to rub, and whatever did that has to be replaced."

He said he would continue searching the clutch plate adjustment adjustment idea.

So, further information regarding clutch plate adjustment would be nice, since that does not appear to be a GM authorized repair.

[LeoP]

Sorry, I tried to edit my above post, but have been told I am not authorized to do that!