Ac compressor squealing

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Tdh777

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i have an 03 Eddie Bauer 4.6 with 150000 miles. Shop says ac compressor is causing my belt squeal but idk if it’s the clutch or compressor or pulley bearing. The a/c works great and turning it on if off does not affect the squeal one way or the other. Any suggestions. Can’t afford to have the compressor replaced
 

Jarheadmatt

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I would replace the compressor drier and expansion valve. You got your money worth on that compressor as they usually don't survive past 60k miles. To replaces the clutch, that compressor has to be removed anyways.
 

stamp11127

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Drop the serp belt and spin all the pulleys by hand. You will know the difference when you hit a bad bearing in one.
 
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Tdh777

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I would replace the compressor drier and expansion valve. You got your money worth on that compressor as they usually don't survive past 60k miles. To replaces the clutch, that compressor has to be removed anyways.

If I could afford it I would but I don’t have that kinda money. The clutch can be done on the truck without removing. Got a shop locally said they would replace the clutch for 265. Don’t really care if the compressor is shot. I can unplug it. Just need the bearing in the pulley to stop squealing.
 
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Tdh777

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fwiw, u can replace the compressor with a bypass pulley unit
They don’t make one for an 03expedition with4.6. Thought of that to. Mysteriously it quit squealing yesterday. Worries me. Hopping it lasts until I get paid Tuesday to have fixed
 

the bus

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Always double check shops.... With truck running with a spray bottle hit the belt with some water and see if it stops. Or a small watering can. Just be careful of spinning things. If it stops... it is the belt. If it is the belt there a couple more tricks beyond this part. Give us an update.
 

rjdelp7

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I had an embarrasing squeak/chirp, that was driving me nuts. My shop suggested a new belt. I said "next time", giving me time to check things myself. I Googled "belt chirp" and discovered the Goodyear/Continental Gatorback, serpentine belt. The package says the "the quiet belt". I ordered one and installed it with a loaner tool(made job much easier), from Advance Auto. The sound is gone. Avoid Dayco belts.
 
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Tdh777

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Thanks for the help guys. I am dropping it off in the morning and picking up Wednesday afternoon. I will post what happens good or bad!
 

stamp11127

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When I was ordering parts for the county school buses, we used Dayco belts exclusively - without belt failures. The only "issues" that arose were attributed to idler or pulley bearing failures. Cascading failures that shredded a few of them but not caused by the belt itself.

These were on diesel engines, crank rpms were under 2500. What issues did you have with them rjdelp7?
 
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rjdelp7

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When I was ordering parts for the county school buses, we used Dayco belts exclusively - without belt failures. The only "issues" that arose were attributed to idler or pulley bearing failures. Cascading failures that shredded a few of them but not caused by the belt itself.

These were on diesel engines, crank rpms were under 2500. What issues did you have with them rjdelp7?
Stamp, You are correct, my Dayco serpentine, belt was almost 9 years old and looked fine. However, my issue was belt chirp. It was more pronounced when damp or raining. It was embarrassing. While getting my state inspection, the shop owner heard it squeaking and commented(from across the shop) "sounds like you need a belt". I said OK, but remember thinking, he didn't even look under the hood. Guess what, the old dog was right. During my internet search, I found that Dayco standard "rib" belts tend to be noisey. The Goodyear have a unique rib design. I think Dayco, now has similar, version.
 
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Tdh777

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Update!!! It was not the compressor. It was the bearing in the ac pulley. Had the clutch kit replaced because it was the only way to get the pulley and bearing. Squeal is gone. I do a fair amount of trail riding in our state park and that’s most likely the reason the bearing failed. I guess mud has that affect on bearings lol!!!
 
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