I just got a question asked.

Background: A friend just changed his A/C compressor about a year ago.

He just changed his serpentine belt 2 days ago. His wife drove his Jeep and when she returned, she said it was making a terrible squealing noise. He got in it and when he cranked it, it was fine. He drove it around some, still nothing. He turned on the A/C and the noise began.

He took it back home, messed with the belt some, tightening until the noise was almost non-existent.

He wasn't sure how much play was supposed to be in the belt, but said there was about 1/2" of play at first.

I told him that I thought 3/8" was a good rule of thumb, but that's just what I've heard. He couldn't fine the actual amount of play in the Haynes Repair book or the owner's manual. So....

1) How much play should be in the belt?
2) What could be causing the loud noise when turning on the A/C?

Thanks, in advance.

Depending on how long your buddy's wife drove with it squealing, the belt and the slipping pulley are probably glazed and that's why it won't go away without excessive tension. Pull the belt, rough up the pulley that's slipping with 100-grit sandpaper. You might also try a little belt dressing.


If that don't fix it, buy a new belt and make sure you've got the tension right before driving it this time.

HTH,
Jake

Has he watched the pulley on the A/C compressor while engaged?
If that compressor has seized, it would do that when the A/C was on and the compressor clutched was engaged. Look to see that the pulley isn't ceasing to move when the a/c is turned on.

Would make a HORRIBLE squeak.

Belt dressing sucks for fixing a slipping belt imo. If it's not the ac comp then change to a goodyear gatorback belt, it fixed the belt squeal on my dodge when any other new belt would squeal. Just a thought.