[uncc49er]

New to the site and thanks for any help at all!

2002 Laredo 4.7L

Whirring/chirping intermittently near front engine (I place it near the AC compressor but not sure). AC works fine and does not change when AC on or off or changing defrost. No change with acceleration and will happen while idling in driveway. Power steering fluid is good and no steering problems.

Replaced serpentine belt but no help.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Nick

 

[Frango100]

Welcome to the garage.
Have a look at the belt tensioner pulley bearings. They become dry over time and start making noises. When not changed in time, the pulley can get damaged and the serpentine belt comes loose, eventually causing more damage. Just remove the serpentine belt and feel for play on the pulleys and rotate them by hand. You can open the dust caps of the bearings to put some grease in, if you can't get new pulleys so quickly, but its just for a short time.

 

[uncc49er]

Thanks.

I replaced the tensioner pulley and did not hear the noise yet... It is intemittent so hopefully it just wont come back. Thanks again for your help.

I really enjoy and appreciate this site.

 

[Frango100]

Did you replace both pulleys on the tensioner, the idler pulley and the one onthe actual tensioner arm? When one is getting bad, most probably the other is not much better.

 

[uncc49er]

I replaced both the idler and tension pulleys.

Unfortunately the noise is back. I feel like it may be the AC compressor pulley. If I were to replace that would I need the AC Compressor clutch? I guess if you guys think it could be that pulley, what would be the appropriate replacement part?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Frango100]

Since you say that the noise is there with AC on or off, then the problem should be with the compressor clutch. That one can be changed separately from the compressor.

 

[uncc49er]

Thanks for all the help.

Looks like I will try to replace the compressor clutch. I see some websites/stores offering "clutch assembly" and others with just the "clutch bearing" (much cheaper). What would you recommend doing?

 

[Frango100]

The bearing, clutch and compressor itself have all the same age. So you can expect wear on all parts. It will all depend on how much you want/can spend. Also not sure if you can easily replace the bearing.