Serpentine belt and tensioner keep breaking

Tiny
SCANNELLA
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 78,000 MILES
The a/c in the car would not cool, so I took it to a reputable place for repair. They replaced the belt and tensioner. The repair seemed to work and then after a couple of days, we began hearing the same noise (sounded like something was hitting a fan blade) and then the a/c would not cool again. We returned the car to the repair shop and they said the belt and tensioner were broken and again and referred us to the dealer. Any thoughts as to what could be causing this?
Friday, May 30th, 2008 AT 9:23 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
Did it make the noise all the time even with the AC turned off? It sounds like the system is overcharged. Here is a link that will help you.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/re-charge-an-air-conditioner-system
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Friday, May 30th, 2008 AT 9:59 AM
Tiny
SCANNELLA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
No, it only made the noise when the a/c was on.
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Friday, May 30th, 2008 AT 10:09 AM
Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
Is the mechanics sure that it is a tensioner. It could be the compressor causing this. Did they check the pressures when the problem occurs.
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Friday, May 30th, 2008 AT 10:47 AM
Tiny
SCANNELLA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The mechanic said he checked the pressures and that they seemed fine, but said it could still be a problem with the compressor. Since I'm at the mercy of the dealer now, I'm just trying to figure out what the problem may be before I get it in there.
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Friday, May 30th, 2008 AT 10:52 AM
Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
Worst case its the compressor
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Friday, May 30th, 2008 AT 11:32 AM
Tiny
TODDTIKIUN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The clanking noise your hearing is the A/C compressor seizing up. And when it starts to seize the pully stops moving causing the belt to break. Therefor you lose your A/C in the cab when that happens.
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Thursday, June 12th, 2008 AT 1:33 AM
Tiny
FATBOYSCUBA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I had the same thing happen to my 03 Tahoe. Called my friend that is the Service Manager at a Chevy dealer I use to work at.

He said they see this problem a lot and to replace the comp. I bought one off Ebay for less than 150 bucks that I must say it looks to be better that the delco remanufactured sold at the dealer. My a/c is now cooling great, the noise is gone and the belt tensioner is not jumping anymore.

Got any questions, feel free to ask. I worked at GM dealers for 25 years. I have worked as a line tech, shop foreman, service manager and service advisor.

Take Care

Tim H
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Saturday, July 11th, 2009 AT 9:14 PM
Tiny
BBCOPELAND
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I am fairly able to do most work myself. Would it be too difficult to tackle an AC compressor job after renting a vacuum pump, etc?
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Tuesday, September 8th, 2009 AT 8:18 PM

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