January 16, 201115 yr 05 OB started high pitched "ringing" that goes away when the a/c is turned on. Idler?? Happens at one particular rpm only.
January 16, 201115 yr Author Yes. Car was sitting still, hence I was able to put my ear close and identify location. This would have been scary in motion! I was just monkeying around removing the piggybacked anti-fouler on the cat when I noticed the sound. It is coming from the area of the p/s a/c or idler and happens at idle and goes away when I turn the a/c on. Car is due for timing belt in 1,000 miles (maybe tomorrow) local special of $299 and I guess they'll have everything out and open anyway. Any thoughts?
January 16, 201115 yr Most of the time, if the noise sounds like it's coming from the compressor and goes away when the ac clutch kicks in. It's the bearings in the compressor. I'd pull the ac belt off, then run it and see if the noise is gone completely. That way if the noise is gone, you narrow it down to the compressor or idler. Next, pull the idler and check the bearing, and spin the wheel on the compressor too, see if you can feel any roughness or noises. Edited January 16, 201115 yr by 94Loyale
January 16, 201115 yr a mechanics stethescope would work. if you dont have access to one you can use some spare smaller coolant hose. plug one ear and put the hose in the other. put it next to your pulleys.
January 16, 201115 yr Author Light spray of belt dressing (on the belt) seems to have stopped the noise... for now. Belts have over 6 years and 104,000 miles so I suppose they may be a bit on the dry side. As I said, timing belt being done at dealer tomorrow so I'll have them check the pulleys and supply new fan belts for re-installation. As always, thanks for all the feedback and what-if scenarios.
January 17, 201115 yr Accessory belts are supposed to be done every... 60k these days? Of course they can usually go for longer, but most of the time they start screaming after a few years. Yours has done well to still be in one piece after 6 years. I'd bank on the belt first. If that doesn't fix it then Ac compressor pulley bearing is probably going bad.
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