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Air conditioning belt chatters when starting out

Tiny
PAPA BIGDADDY JONES
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,100 MILES
And now breaks the belt. Have replaced tensioner and pulley. Act like spring tensioner does have enough strength.
Sunday, June 30th, 2019 AT 1:27 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,320 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

It honestly sounds like the compressor is locking up. Here are some possible causes:

1) Belt routing or fluid contamination

2) Misalignment in pulleys

3) Belt length (too long)

4) If something was replaced, pulley diameter may be different

5) Weak tensioner

_________________________________________

Does it only do this when the AC or defroster are on? I attached a pic that shows routing, but I don't see how that could be an issue. If possible, record what is happening and upload it so I can see and hear it. Also, let me know if anyone has recently recharged the AC.

Let me know.
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Sunday, June 30th, 2019 AT 7:47 PM
Tiny
PAPA BIGDADDY JONES
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Replace belt and tensioner. New tensioner seems to have a better spring. Got a Dayco not a cheap AutoZone one cheap is not always better.
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Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019 AT 11:54 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,320 POSTS
Is the problem still present?
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Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019 AT 5:32 PM

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