AC - Belt Noise or Compressor Clutch?

[ricknh]

I have a real noisy squeal when I first start the car if the a/c is on. It goes away if I turn the a/c off, or after a couple of seconds/minutes. Also, if I open the hood and listen closely, I hear a rattle (or knocking) when the system cycles (after the squeal goes away). I tried a belt dressing, but that made the squeal much worse for a bit. Is it more likely the belt, the a/c compressor clutch, or...? As luck would have it, I have 2 weeks BEFORE my extended warranty expires. Anyone got a guess where to look? Thanks in advance... Details: Avalon 2002, XLS, 87K miles, otherwise in pretty good shape.
Rick

[galingula]

Originally Posted by ricknh

I have a real noisy squeal when I first start the car if the a/c is on. It goes away if I turn the a/c off, or after a couple of seconds/minutes. Also, if I open the hood and listen closely, I hear a rattle (or knocking) when the system cycles (after the squeal goes away). I tried a belt dressing, but that made the squeal much worse for a bit. Is it more likely the belt, the a/c compressor clutch, or...? As luck would have it, I have 2 weeks BEFORE my extended warranty expires. Anyone got a guess where to look? Thanks in advance... Details: Avalon 2002, XLS, 87K miles, otherwise in pretty good shape.
Rick

I have the same issue and was recently told by a guy at Uncle Ed's that it was the clutch. He looked a the belts when I restarted with the AC cranked I was able to reproduce the noise, and he looked and told me it was the clutch

[ricknh]

Thanks for the update. I suspect the clutch as well. So far, if I start with the a/c off, then wait just for 30 sec. or so, the crank up the fan speed slowly, I can get the a/c running with minimal or no squeal. All is fine after that, but I think I'll look into it sooner rather than later.

[pmesfun]

Yea I have been having that same problem lately, tried belt dressing but that almost made the belt slip off

[galingula]

Originally Posted by ricknh

Thanks for the update. I suspect the clutch as well. So far, if I start with the a/c off, then wait just for 30 sec. or so, the crank up the fan speed slowly, I can get the a/c running with minimal or no squeal. All is fine after that, but I think I'll look into it sooner rather than later.

I turn the fan down a bit and then gun the gas a couple of times, and that usually fixes it.

Does anyone know if the clutch can be replaced seperatly from the compressor?

[bowlinm]

I too suspected the A.C. clutch. It was also time for belt replacements. I replaced both belts and NO MORE SQUEAK. I was also surprised at how much more quiet the car was at idle w/o the air on also.

Matt