Alternator belt noise when running the air conditioning
My 2003 honda odyssey, about 95,000 miles is making noise (Belt) whenever I turn the air conditioning on. My mechanic sprayed some wd40 on the belt (not sure which one) and the sound temporarily went away. now it is back. My mechanic says to wait changing the drive belts when it is time(105000) to change the timing belt, and believes the problem is the belt, and that I can wait another 10000 miles to do it. He doesn't believe leaving it the way it is now will hurt the car. I have not changed the timing belt. I did all the routine maintenance work. Air filters, oil and filter, spark plugs.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello. Noise signifies a problem. The problem could be a worn belt but the noise could also be due to a faulty tensioner, misaligned pulleys, or glazing on the belt which by the way in certain configurations will result in the accessory drives running below intended speed due to belt slippage.
It’s hard to say what effect WD-40 might have had in possibly masking these other problems, if they exist, and the reality is you can’t keep spraying the belt. In essence, the mechanic is suggesting that the diagnosis be put off for six months to a year (10,000 miles). That is you won’t know for sure if it is just the belt "alone" and not a weak tensioner or a pulley issue for some time to come.
Generally, unperformed maintenance and failure to perform repairs that are needed brings one on to the proverbial slippery slope. It is better to just repair it now if it is a known issue than to wait and wonder. If it were me, I would just fix it now.
If you’d like a fresh pair of eyes on the situation, consider YourMechanic, as one of our mobile technicians can come to your home or office to diagnose the sound you’re hearing for an accurate repair.
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The noise you hear is from your fan belt. The A/C adds more load to your engine through its compressor and a such more friction is required to prevent the fan belt from slipping on the pulleys. When the a/c is on and you hear that sound it means there is no firm grip between the belt and the pulleys.
If you don`t replace your tensioner when it`s worn, it can cause further damage to your power steering, alternator and air conditioning, all of which are powered by the drive belt.
In most cases, a squealing car air conditioner noise is caused by a worn out serpentine belt. The serpentine belt is a long, winding belt that keeps many crucial parts of your car functioning, including the power steering pump, air pump, water pump, alternator, and (of course) your air conditioner.
If any tensioner pulley begins to wear out with time, it`ll create more of a chirping noise. You`ll also hear the chirping noise if the pulley grooves are damaged. This happens over the years due to friction, leading to cracks in the belt.
Bad Serpentine Belts Cause Vehicle Performance Issues
Your air conditioning or power steering may fail to work or not work properly. You may notice your vehicle battery failing to recharge if the alternator is affected by a bad serpentine belt.
One of the most common causes of a noisy air conditioner is simply a collection of dust, dirt, and debris inside the machine. This happens from standard use. Clear out anything that shouldn`t be there or might be getting caught in the fan or other parts of the machine and see if that helps clear up some of the noise.
In cold weather climates, a serpentine belt may squeal on unusually cold days. This is because the belt is stiff and brittle. Often, though, the squealing stops after its had time to warm up.
Rattling or your car air conditioner making loud humming noises which get worse as you accelerate can both be signs you need to replace your AC compressor. Compressor clutch. This high-wear part often needs replacing, especially if you live somewhere where you`re constantly running your car`s AC.
The condenser fan bearings are worn, causing an AC squealing noise. If you have a newer air conditioning unit, it likely does not have a belt. The condenser fan is attached with bearings that eventually wear out.
When do You Need to Replace It? It`s important to replace your alternator belt when you see it starting to show signs of wear and tear. The most obvious sign is that the belt will start squeaking or squealing when you`re driving down the road.
If the belt is too tight, it will cause excessive side loads and overheat the bearings. This in turn causes noise, decreased output and even the seizing of the alternator. If the belt is too loose, it will cause the alternator to slip. This slipping can cause the alternator and the battery to work harder.
One of the easiest and most cost-effective solutions for reducing noise is to install a sound blanket to act as an air conditioner noise barrier. You can check with your AC unit`s manufacturer for a blanket size that will fit your unit, or you can purchase a universal sound blanket.
When you are struggling to turn your car or are noticing that your AC blows hot, this could point to serpentine belt failure. A struggling serpentine belt may also cause issues in the cooling system of your vehicle.
Driving with a bad belt tensioner is unsafe since the tensioner is meant to guarantee ample tension that powers accessories. Wear on the belt tensioner will eventually cause the belt to slip, generate loud noise, and also create an unsafe level of heat along the accessory pulleys.
The tensioner pulley bearing is broken, and the car will make a harsh metal noise when accelerating. The function of the tensioner is to guide and tighten it on the timing belt or timing chain of the engine, so that it is always in the best tightening state.
If you hear loud buzzing noises from your air conditioner, it`s likely malfunctioning. Typically, the issue is either loose parts, missing or broken isolation feet, refrigerant leaks, or a malfunctioning compressor. Every part of your air conditioner works together to keep your home cool in warm temperatures.
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Alternator belt noise when running the air conditioning
ANSWER : Hello. Noise signifies a problem. The problem could be a worn belt but the noise could also be due to a faulty tensioner, misaligned pulleys, or glazing on the belt which by the way in certain configurations will result in the accessory drives running below intended speed due to belt slippage.
It’s hard to say what effect WD-40 might have had in possibly masking these other problems, if they exist, and the reality is you can’t keep spraying the belt. In essence, the mechanic is suggesting that the diagnosis be put off for six months to a year (10,000 miles). That is you won’t know for sure if it is just the belt "alone" and not a weak tensioner or a pulley issue for some time to come.
Generally, unperformed maintenance and failure to perform repairs that are needed brings one on to the proverbial slippery slope. It is better to just repair it now if it is a known issue than to wait and wonder. If it were me, I would just fix it now.
If you’d like a fresh pair of eyes on the situation, consider YourMechanic, as one of our mobile technicians can come to your home or office to diagnose the sound you’re hearing for an accurate repair.
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air conditioner started making loud screeching noise and started only blowing hot air, then the noise stopped but still only blows
ANSWER : The noise is possibly from a failed compressor clutch or the compressor itself is faulty. Another possibility is the pulley bearing on the front of the compressor has failed. The issue should be fairly evident to the inspecting mechanic after some simple tests. To resolve this, the recommended diagnostic is an a/c system inspection. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
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hey i had a belt break while traveling on my 2004 honda pilot. It is the small belt and not the serpentine belt. The mechanic t
ANSWER : Hello. The smaller belt is known as your timing belt, and it works inside the engine to keep mechanical components aligned with each other during the compression cycle. The serpentine belt, which is the big belt, drives the alternator, water pump, AC compressor, and a couple of other components. If the small belt broke it is likely the timing belt. This will cause the car to stall, lights to illuminate, and can even cause serious damage to the engine. Typically replacing a timing belt is a lot more complicated and expensive than replacing a serpentine belt. You may want to receive a second opinion on the car before you go ahead with repairs.
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Air conditioning is blowing hot air – car stalls when A/C is on
ANSWER : In order to diagnose all the different problems you have, I having the A/C pressures checked to see if the system is low on refrigerant from a leaking compressor or another component. The rough idle may be due to a dirty throttle body and idle control system. If you would like to have this checked for you, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to inspect the A/C and rough idle in order to proceed with the proper repairs.
Read Full Q/A … : Alternator belt noise when running the air conditioning
Hot air mixed with cold blows from air conditioning
ANSWER : Hey there. You will most likely have to have a mechanic bypass the heater coolant lines to have this resolved. Your A/C may not be controlling the air flow inside the evaporator correctly out of the vents and may be the blend door actuator stuck in the heat position. Have the AC system diagnosed first before bypassing the heater.
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Just changed my alternator and alternator-belt. I have periodic squeal noise. what can be the problem?
ANSWER : Hi There,
You may want to check the tension on the belt to be sure it is not loose after changing the belt. You can do this by adjusting the tensioner pulley to put more or less pressure on the belt. The squeal may also be related to the tensioer pulley itself if it is beginning to wear out or has a faulty bearing inside. I would recommend having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to assist with this if needed.
You may want to check the tension on the belt to be sure it is not loose after changing the belt. You can do this by adjusting the tensioner pulley to put more or less pressure on the belt. The squeal may also be related to the tensioer pulley itself if it is beginning to wear out or has a faulty bearing inside. I would recommend having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to assist with this if needed.
Read Full Q/A … : Alternator belt noise when running the air conditioning
Car runs better if I unplug fuel injector 8 but makes a ticking noise and runs sluggish if it’s connected 2006 Ford Mustang
ANSWER : Hello – your symptoms suggest a failing injector . It appears to be leaking when it’s plugged in, as well as noisy. Check for problem codes relating to a rich mixture,, although it’s possible that the oxygen sensors for that bank of cylinders is leaning out the other 3 on that side. This would create rough running for sure. That would explain the popping (probably backfiring or misfiring at least on the lean cylinders). I recommend a misfiring inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
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My 2003 Hyundai air conditioning works fine but often starts blowing hot air, especially when idling.
ANSWER : Hi There,
It sounds like you may have a condenser fan that may not be cooling the AC condenser properly. As you may know, the job of the AC condenser fan is to cool down the AC condenser as it generates a lot of heat during the course of its primary function, which is to convert the AC gas refrigerant into a liquid form, a process that generates a significant amount of heat. As the AC condenser fan blows cool air across the condenser, this allows the condenser to remain cool, keeping the pressure down in the AC system which helps to generate cooler air. I would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to take a look at your vehicle.
It sounds like you may have a condenser fan that may not be cooling the AC condenser properly. As you may know, the job of the AC condenser fan is to cool down the AC condenser as it generates a lot of heat during the course of its primary function, which is to convert the AC gas refrigerant into a liquid form, a process that generates a significant amount of heat. As the AC condenser fan blows cool air across the condenser, this allows the condenser to remain cool, keeping the pressure down in the AC system which helps to generate cooler air. I would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to take a look at your vehicle.
Read Full Q/A … : Alternator belt noise when running the air conditioning
