f150hunter

My air compressor has started squealing and making some pretty irritating noises. Any ideas if it could be just the clutch? I put some belt lube on the belt first but the noise is still there. The noise nearly completely goes away when I turn the ac off. I'm in Florida so the ac is used ALOT.
Thanks.
1998 f150 scab 4x4 5.4 140K+ miles.

westtnfx4

Could the clutch(not hard to change) but could be other things....what about the belt tensioner? How old is the belt? The a/c causses alot of drag so it's possible it can be other things to....

f150hunter

Unfortunately I lost some of my truck maintainance files (computer crash)years ago and I'm not sure when I changed the original belt. Missing from 89k to 100k and alot prior. I kept the original belt as a spare. I decided to pull the belt and check it. The belt was cracked and kinda slick. I put the original belt back on and no noise yet in the driveway. I will get a new belt tomorrow either way. If its just the belt it will be a real blessing!

jmiarb

To Westtnfx4, I have the same problem, the disc on the front of the A/C rattles, and I can shake it by hand. Now, the A/C has stopped cooling. You said that it is not hard to change. It looks like I can change it without draining the 135 and removing the compressor. Is this right???

Jmiarb

kmac1036

you might be able to, but it's the access & running the risk of snapping off the lines if u unmount the compressor. it sucks to open these up, 134-A & the system oil absorbs moisture from the air very easy. in places like here & esp florida, this is a very bad thing. wet systems will turn to acid & ruin it (more so on a regular refridgeration system, auto systems are more tolerant).

I'd ask around locally at the shops too for someone that has done this, opening up the system requires more parts, tools & time.

I had to replace the compressor on my 98 B2500. dad had all the tools. we replaced the accumulator (has a filter that gets wet from moisture), the oil, seals, charged it with compressed nitorgen (leak check) & pumped it down. lasted over 6 yrs, no refills, was still running cold when I traded it. this is something to do by the book, by someone that knows what they are doing, if u have to pull the compressor.

f150hunter

I put my original belt back on as I kept it for a spare and the noise is completely gone. I could not believe the belt could cause that much noise. The good Lord blessed me ! The belt that I had on there was starting to dry rot but wasnt that bad. Hope you have good luck fixing yours.
John.

westtnfx4

sorry for the late reply but yes it can be changed without removing the compressor. Just remove the belt then take the bolts out of the a/c clutch. Then it should come right off with gentle preying. Make sure the spacer washers go back the way you take them off. Install new clutch tightn down reinstall the belt and you should be good to go. I have done this twice and it worked great for me.

kmac1036

good! never been lucky enough to just have the clutch go out. always seems to be a hole in one of the coils or the main compressor seal that sprays the whole engine bay