Massive Belt Slippage

[Flghtmstr1]

Alrighty, here's what the problem is. If I turn on my A/C then give it any appreciable amount of gas an extremely loud, horrendous screeching noise emanates from under the hood of my car. Today was the first day I've tried to use the A/C besides the day I bought the car (to test it out). What could be the cause of this? What should I do to remedy this situation? Thanks in advance.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Could it be the AC compressor bearings squealing because they are shot?

 

[Flghtmstr1]

I don't know anything about the A/C compressor. It's one of those things that u just sort of....forget about. If A/C compressor bearings were shot, wouldn't that make the whole compressor seize and cause the belt to slip over the pulley?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Yeah, it probably will seize up eventually...

 

[Flghtmstr1]

Will it be okay if I don't engage the A/C?

 

[Shiroelex]

I had thought the same thing with my car, but it turned out to be a blew out belt, even though it looked fine. My belt was actually wobbling enough under high RPM to touch the drivers timing cover a little. I pulled off the old belt, cleaned up the pulley surfaces that run on the back of the belt with a scouring pad, and put on a gatorback, and everything is sweet now. No more squealing, but someone swears that when I put on my gatorback, it made my engine have a light hum, like a supercharger. I don't notice it myself, but hey, I don't mind that noise!

 

[Flghtmstr1]

It certainly shouldn't be my belt; I put a new one on two weeks ago.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Well, when the AC is off the clutch on the compressor disengages so I would think you would be ok to drive it like that until you can afford to get it fixed. Someone will correct me if I am wrong... The compressor runs in all modes except the ones immediately to the left and right of off.

 

[Mstg05]

You probably just need a new belt. Nothing big. In the worst case, a belt tensioner which with mustangs, you can probably give a wrench to a toddler and have it done, its that easy.

P.S.
It is okay to not run your a/c. If it was your bearings you would hear a grinding noise.

 

[Flghtmstr1]

Mmm...well, I actually made an appointment with the local Ford dealer tomorrow to have it looked at. I certainly don't want to get screwed with having them buy a new...well....anything, if all it needs is a readjustment of the tensioner. How can help ensure that I don't pay for anything I don't need?

 

[Mstg05]

I see your from philadelphia...what dealership are you taking it to? What year/how many miles are on the car?

 

[Flghtmstr1]

I'm from the suburbs; I'm taking it to Pacifico Marple Ford. The car is an '01 and it has about 42,000 miles on it.

 

[Mstg05]

I was hopin you where gonna say robin ford. I actually just started working there this week. My sister just bought an 04 gt from pacifico marple...good people there. Anyway, unless you bought the extended warranty, looks like your probably gonna be paying for the repair out of your own pocket.

 

[Flghtmstr1]

I have the Ford Certified Pre-Owned warantee. I would assume the A/C is not covered, correct?

 

[Flghtmstr1]

bump

 

[Mstg05]

Probably not. Do me a favor...mix up a mild solution of soap/water in a spray bottle. Go outside turn your car on, turn on a/c to produce squeal. Spray drive surface of the belt with the water/soap solution. If it goes away when you spray it, chaces are you just need a belt.

 

[Flghtmstr1]

I just replaced the belt; is it possible for me to need a new one 2 weeks later?

 

[Mstg05]

Hmm, you didn't mencion that before. No its not possible. I'm going to start leaning toward a new belt tensioner. The belts squeal because there isn't enough tension on them and they slip. Just like tires squeal when they slip on pavement...Well if the tensioner is shot its not gonna put enough tension on the belt.

 

[Flghtmstr1]

I hate to correct you mstg05 because I appreciate the help, but I mentioned the new belt in my 4th post in this thread. It is possible that the tensioner needs to be replaced, but I must say I've heard plenty of belt noises before on different cars, but I've never heard anything this loud. I'm worried that the A/C compressor seized and that whenever the compressor is engaged the pulley locks up and makes the belt skip. I couldn't tell if it was blowing cold air when it made the noise; I was too scared that it was about to throw the belt.

 

[WhiteStang]

I know this is going to sound odd......I had my car less than a month 2004 GT...I started getting a squeal only when the A/C was on Max Air at a specifici RPM range......I went into FORD 4 times, my da is also a mechanic of 32 years there......It finally turned out that a Walmart plastic bag...which I actually remember running over on the highway....got sucked up in behind the clutch & melted....When they finally disassembled the clutch they found this thing wrapped up inside of it...Talk about a freak thing......