Noisy air-con Belt - Again

[Griff76]

Hi all,

it's been a while since I last visited.

I have had a noisy air con belt. It's been replaced, but started making the same annoying chirp chirp chirp sound after a few months. The mechanic seemed to think that the pulleys were all aligned correctly. It's now been like this for at least 12 months if not more. Last service it was tightened, but again, started making the noise again after a week or two.

It hasn't got progressively worse, however it does change in volume depending on the weather - go figure.

Is this a common problem - I find it annoying as hell.

I'm about to take my car in for a service, so I thought I'd ask the brains trust here for some info before speaking to the mechanic.

I've tried the search function, so apologies if this has been covered, but I couldn't find anything.

LG>

[rykiel575]

Have you checked/replaced the idler pulley or tensioner?

[nj swb]

Silly question - are you sure it's the aircon belt and not the alternator belts?

[Griff76]

Have you checked/replaced the idler pulley or tensioner?

The mechanic said they were fine last time. I will have them check again.

[Griff76]

Silly question - are you sure it's the aircon belt and not the alternator belts?

Yes, I believe so. Did you have a noisy alt belt?

[nj swb]

Yes, I believe so. Did you have a noisy alt belt?

Most of the time my belts are squealing it's the alternator belts that are loose, not a/c.

A/c belt should only squeal when the a/c is on - turn your a/c off to see if it makes a difference.

[BMN]

Yeh aircon belt will usually start to squeal when you turn on the aircon then go away.
If its a constant squeal drip some water onto the belts while its running and the noise should stop. If not it might be an idler or if it does, tighten or replace belts.

[whereswes]

Hi all,

it's been a while since I last visited.

I have had a noisy air con belt. It's been replaced, but started making the same annoying chirp chirp chirp sound after a few months. The mechanic seemed to think that the pulleys were all aligned correctly. It's now been like this for at least 12 months if not more. Last service it was tightened, but again, started making the noise again after a week or two.

It hasn't got progressively worse, however it does change in volume depending on the weather - go figure.

Is this a common problem - I find it annoying as hell.

I'm about to take my car in for a service, so I thought I'd ask the brains trust here for some info before speaking to the mechanic.

I've tried the search function, so apologies if this has been covered, but I couldn't find anything.

LG>

Hi LG and sorry I missed this earlier.

I've had the dreaded bird chirp on 2 previous vehicles and on both occasions, were failed idler pulleys. Once replaced, problem gone.

Now, I experienced the same problem on my PC at ~15,000kms. With me it was only on warm up and almost disappeared after a few minutes of run time.

I asked the local dealer to check for play in idler and tensioner pulleys but they advised that I had some pitting on some of the pulleys which they cleaned and lubricated (?). When I got the wagon back, bird chirp gone but replaced by a singer sewing machine. Constant whiring fluctuating with engine speed until warmed up.

By 30,000km service, chirping starting again so requested belt changes. Chirp gone, sewing machine back.

Dealer advised common problem and sees a lot on Tritons. Stated profile of belt (? which one) is not an exact fit to profile of pulley (again, which one?).

No expert but I suspect chirp is a failing pulley and whiring is how the pulley behaves when put under excessive belt tension.

Anyway, 60,000km service due next month with a new Service Manager so I'll ask the same question again. Guess at least, other than annoying noises through warm up, hasn't failed in the last 45,000kms.

Let you know how it goes.

Cheers
Wes

[littleriver]

Sounds like a common dry belt
. About once a month I puts bit of lube on mine..

. Problem fixed...

..

[KevsChallenger]

Sounds like a common dry belt
. About once a month I puts bit of lube on mine..

. Problem fixed...

..

What do you use?

[littleriver]

What do you use?

I use a end of pointer finger amount (5cent 4mm high)
Blue greese...

There are also products out there in pressure packs you can Google it also....

..