Squealing sound could it be my air conditioning compressor clutch bearings?

PITBULLYGIRL

MEMBER
1995 CHEVROLET BLAZER
4.3L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

I have been hearing a squealing noise for a few weeks now. I can hear it when I start my truck and when I am driving. It comes from the engine area, and it sounds kind of like a rotational chirping/squeaking. It is constant, whether on the streets or the freeway, The sound is faster when I rev the engine and it is in park. It sounds like it stops when I turn the A/C on. In 2021 I purchased a remanufactured a/c compressor and installed it. My air conditioning is working great, I haven't noticed anything going on with it. Could this sound be related to the a/c clutch bearings going out? Would I hear the noise first before any symptoms in the a/c occur? What symptoms would occur if the bearings were bad?

3 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
43,070 POSTS

Yes, it does sound like it, I would remove the main drive belt and spin the A/C pulley by hand to see if it is smooth and easy to turn. Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so I can hear the noise? That way I can tell for sure what's going on. You can upload it here with your response. Here is how to remove the belt so we can confirm this is the issue.

Here is a generic guide to help you step by step with instructions in the diagrams below to show you how on your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-serpentine-belt

Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.

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