ac bearing starting to go? still works, makes noise
 

so from the research ive done i think the clutch bearing in my ac compressor is starting to go. only makes noise when i turn the fan on and it's only at certain RPM's. makes a squeaking noise like the belt is worn... it's not though. people say the compressor is seized but i think if that was the case i wouldnt have ac, which i do. im thinking it's just the bearing that's starting to go? sometimes its worse than other times and at idle just makes a really annoying squeaking noise, other times it just squeaks every now and then. ideas? thoughts? just want to get some opinions before jumping into it and trying to troubleshoot myself

bumpp, noone ?

my ac pully seized up, shredded the belt and made one hell of a mess a few years ago

I'm with 200.....
If it finally seizes, the belt can flail around taking out wiring or the crank sensor.

Take it off and get a new one - or just take it to bits and replace the bearing inside.

What you waiting for? Get it done!

Check the bearing on the belt tensioner too.

I have a similar problem, but has to do with the drive belt. For a long time, I've been getting an awful squeal. Well now my belt busted. At first, I thought it was a bad belt, so I replaced it. Could it be the alternator bearing??? Should all the pulleys be able to spin? Sorry for lack of basic car knowledge. Still learning :/

Also, I don't have the A/C belt on because when I was replacing that belt, bolt head busted on the tensioner. Car still squeals so I know it's coming from the alternator/water pump side.

Take the belt off and check the alternator and water pump bearings. Usually when a water pump goes they start to leak...so check and see if the weep hole is leaking coolant

They should rotate smoothly and not feel rough or bind. If you wiggle them up and don there shouldn't be any play ( make sure you use something hard like a wooden handle to push on...bearing rattle and finger rattle are hard to tell apart sometimes ;) )

Often if the belt gets a bit old it gets stiffer and the rubber isn't flexible...and they squeak...so check that.

I used a brand new belt and it shredded so I know it isn't the belt. My alternator pulley spins freely. Feels fine though I noticed the pulley just below it will not spin. I'll spin it, but it stops right away. Is this the water pump pulley? I don't see any leaks, but I'll look again.

Doing a little research and I figured out it's the water pulley. I also noticed this pulley has a lot of rubber crud on there leading me to believe this pulley is not spinning and that the belt is riding across it. That would explain the burning smell of rubber lol. Am I heading in the right direction?

Sounds likely :) Looks like you need a new water pump :)

Thanks for your help dannobre! I'll be removing the pulley shortly. Let's say the bearings are bad. Could I just replace the pulley or should I just replace the entire water pump to be on the safe side???

Edit: Scratch that. I think I know the answer to that lol. I JUST did a complete coolant flush, too! Damn...

the bearings are in the pump, if you need a pulley i have one

Can I use the same pulley with a new pump or is it recommended I replace it?

For the record, this is what my car sound before the first and second belt broke.

If the pulley is all gunked up I would get another one...should be lots in perfect condition floating around

If you were local to me I would give you a water pump and pulley...I have a brand new one off a reman lying in the garage :(

You can ship it to me COD :D You would be a LIFE saver. I have no car and wifey is driving the grocery runner :\

I'm tempted to start the car without a belt JUST to make sure. I'm going to keep looking. I have to go out and buy a belt so I can remove the pulley and so I can use my stethoscope to listen for the bearings. I'll head out to Autozone tonight.

i have a pulley if ya need it, ill mail it to ya. iirc my mazmart wp didnt come with the pulley but i have u/d ones any way

That would be great. Mine is pretty ugly lol.

I noticed a small leak and can't exactly pinpoint it, but I think it's coming from the hose near the wp. Looks like I'll be looking for a hose kit :\ I just did a flush 2 weeks ago because the hose leading to the radiator busted so I only replaced that hose. Well the car is an '04 and I've owned it since 2011 so I guess it's time to update the cooling system.

While I'm at it, might as well replace the t-stat...

I'm a Realtor and I don't have a car so I NEED to get this done!

pm me your info if you want the pulley

Finally figured out it was my alternator bearings. I found my old belt, put it on, started the car, it squealed, listened with a stethoscope, and it's clearly coming from the alternator. Now I'm in market for an alternator :D