HELP: AC Problem

[sLADe781]

Whenever I have the AC on, my engine starts squeaking. When I initially turn it on, the RPM goes up slightly and when I turn it off it drops again. If I have the AC on and gas the car then it starts squeaking even louder. Does anyone have any idea what the hell is going on with my car? The noise is coming from the engine bay (obviously) but I couldn't pin point exactly where it's coming from. Help!?!

[lefty13lefty]

The squeaking is either your serpentine belt or your a/c compressor bearings are going out, the reason your car revs when you have the a/c on is because its putting a load on the motor so it runs at higher rpms so it will run smoothly.... no worries.....

[sLADe781]

Umm....so can I still drive the car or do I have to get that fixed first? And how could I tell whether it's the belt or the compressor? I know the sound is somewhere next to some belt (most likely the serpentine belt you were talking about) but if the compressor is there too then I don't know which one it is. Where is the compressor located? Also, the belt is moving when the car is on but when I turn on the AC then it starts running harder.

[lefty13lefty]

yes the car is ok to drive i recommend that you go ahead and change the belt.. how many miles does the car have on it......

[sLADe781]

The car has about 66K on it. The 60K tune-up was done less than 10K miles ago (or so the previous owner says) but I don't think that the belt was changed--only the timing belt (unless if that belt was part of the whole tune-up). Is the belt like old or something? How hard would it be to change it do you think? And what about the compressor?

[lefty13lefty]

it might not have been changed im not sure where the compressor is ont it probibly on the front left of the motor. thats where most are. im not to famaliar on 3000s but i know alot of mechanics. its probly the belt

[sLADe781]

Hmm...okay. Do you think I would be able to change the belt myself or would it be better taking it somewhere? And approximately how much do you think it's gonna cost? Sorry for all the questions but I'm just a bit worried right now.

[Linebckr49]

really, no need to worry, this is a common problem among many cars. This usually occurs when there is a lack of lubrication or the presence of excessive dust/dirt around the belts and pulleys (that's why the 3000s have timing belt covers...a good thing).

To determine if its the compressor pulley/clutch or the accessory belt, simply pop the hood and watch it while the car is running, and then have a friend turn the a/c on while you are watching. You should be able to tell if its the belt or the compressor clutch. Its probably most likely the clutch, but first inspect the belt for cracks or excessive wear. If cracked or very worn, replace the belt, hopefully that will solve the problem...that's the easy/cheap solution.

If the belt is A OK, then its probably the compressor clutch, in which case you might try to lubricate the clutch with WD-40 or some other lubricant, but most often when mechanics have encountered this problem, the only solution is to replace the compressor clutch, which isn't cheap (for a new one), but you could find a used one on E-bay or a parts yard.

Now the removal and installation of the belt is easy, and costs only the price of a new belt (round $25).

Removal and installation of the compressor clutch is not so easy. I think you will need a gear puller, but i'm not sure about the 3000GT. You can always ask a mechanic or check the manual.

Good luck in your diagnosis.

[sLADe781]

I actually don't know where the compressor is located. I'm also not sure which belt we're talking about but I'm assuming it's the belt closests to the font of the car since it seemed as if that's where the noise is coming from.

Earlier, my roommate took a look with me and when he turned on the AC, the belt started going faster and the squeaking noise came out. Also, when I step on the gas, it squeaks even louder.

Well, if you could let me know where the compressor clutch thing is located, I'll try and spray some WD-40 down there. Thanks.

One last thing. You mentioned dust and dirt up there and the thing is, our school is under construction and there is dirt floating everywhere!!! One morning I got up at 5:40 to wash my car before the sun comes up and about noon, my car was covered in dust again. Stupid place....so if it is just dust/dirt then how would I stop the squeaking?

[lefty13lefty]

its not too expensive mabey 30 bucks tops and its easy to change u should have no problem

[Linebckr49]

here are some pics i pulled from the manual. When you are on the driver side fender looking at the engine on the belt side, the alternator is towards the front of the engine at the top (marked 'generator' in this pic), next to the radiator (you can't miss it). The a/c compressor is below that. you might not be able to see it, so i suggest jacking the car up, removing the driver's side front tire, removing the access panel to give you a good view of the belts and hopefully the a/c compressor.



hope this helps.

[sLADe781]

Hey Linebckr49, thanks for the picture. It gives me a better idea of what I'm looking at. But man, that belt looks complicated to replace...especially since the room down there is so small. At any rate, I'm gonna try the lubrication deal first. I'm about to go to the store to pick up some WD-40 but I don't know where to lubricate. Do I just turn on the car and spray it on the belt of do I spray it on the pulleys?

[Linebckr49]

have you inspected the belt for cracks yet? you might try to just spray it on the pulley, but really you need to spray it on the compressor clutch. true there is not much room there, but if you take of the tire and access panel as i described above, you should have enough room.

[sLADe781]

So yeah, it was the belt. I sprayed some WD-40 on it and the squeaking noise stopped for a bit but came back on with a vengence. Hehe And since I don't have any tools on me (I'm 425 miles away at school right now), I had to take it to a shop and they replaced it for $45.

[Linebckr49]

glad to hear that everything worked out. $45 to change your belt is a good deal.