Mechanic running me crazy

[remnant]

Hello, I own a 96 geo metro 1.3 inline four
Recently had a new water pump installed and changed out all my belts but unfortunately the belts have been screeching since then. I returned to the mechanic and he said my compressor bearings were bad and as well the ac belt was glazed.

So I replaced the ac compressor(rebuilt) and as well put another new belt on and still when the car is cold the high pitch screeching noise continues till the engine is hot. It makes this noise without the ac compressor being engaged but once you engage ac compressor the noise is greatly enhanced.

Would appreciate any help, thanks

[geozukigti]

perhaps the A/C tensioner pulley has a bad bearing. Also, don't rule out the alternator bearing, or the timing belt tensioner. They could all make the noise. I would remove the belts, spin all the pulleys by hand, and feel for which one doesn't spin freely and smoothly. Also feel for play in the bearings(see if the pulley wobbles).

[remnant]

thanks for your advice. Seems to me the mechanic should have checked all this out when replacing water pump and all the belts? seems to me the mechanic should be looking for the problem instead of me. Thanks again for your expertise.

[serenity]

I'm not saying that your compresser wasen't bad. However my car did the same thing. It screeched untill the motor heated up the belts and if I put a load on it it took longer to stop making noise. To fix it all I did was have a friend tighten the alternator with a pry bar untill I tightened it down and it hasen't done it since and thats been about two months ago. It will require two people to do it one to leaver and one to tighten the bolts back up. This might fix it without costing anything but yours, and a buddys time only a few miniutes. Good luck.

[remnant]

Hello serenity, thanks alot --I will try that with two poeple, sure hope you are right. It seems when the alternator picks up the compressor load it sqeals like a piglet until everything gets hot. Will let you know if that will work, thanks for the tip.!!

[Crvett69]

i have noticed on the metros you really have to get the belts fairly tight or they will make noise. try tightening them a little more

[RossT]

if your not careful when putting on an new timing belt, either the crank (bottom pulley) or cam (top pulley) will rotate, then the timing will be off. Have the guy take the cover off the timing belt and check to make sure that the cam timing mark is straight up when the crank timing mark is at 12 oclock.

[geozukigti]

Originally Posted by RossT

if your not careful when putting on an new timing belt, either the crank (bottom pulley) or cam (top pulley) will rotate, then the timing will be off. Have the guy take the cover off the timing belt and check to make sure that the cam timing mark is straight up when the crank timing mark is at 12 oclock.

Umm, what does that have to do with the serpentine belt squealing? *information dump* Wayyyyy off-topic.

[RossT]

sorry was meant to post this in the timing belt thread, and for whatever reason, it got on the wrong one. I just wasen't careful enough I guess. Just trying to help someone out... sorry again. My fault.

[remnant]

Thank all of you for your responses. Two of us tightened up the alternator belt and the noise went away leaving the engine purring. I did notice that two of my alternator bolts were only finger tight. From now on i think I will take out my tools and do my own work as much as possible. Thank you again for your help