AC Clutch chatter

[offrovering]

the normal sound on the AC clutch isnt exactly quiet, but this has gotten loud.

Seems the AC clutch chatters when it cycles on. Weird part about this, only makes this chatter when in R or D, if left in park it sounds like it always has.

Any ideas, has anyone had this? Clutch going out?

 

[tjkj2002]

Make sure it's the A/C clutch and not a bad serp belt tensioner.I had a tensioner that would chatter with the A/C on and only in gear,without the A/C on it madfe no noise.

 

[AMG]

Dude!..little advice-my truck almost went up in flames due to second guessing. If you are hearing strange noises from the clutch then replace it and anything else that you feel is making noises and don't sound right

 

[kb0nly]

x2 on the belt tensioner... Seems we have had a rash of A/C and Tensioner problems on here lately.

Check the tensioner and belt first, its cheaper than a new A/C compressor!!

 

[offrovering]

Thanks guys. Put a new belt on two weeks ago as preventive maintenance. While the belt was off I checked pulleys for smoothness and any wobble, nothing stuck out. How else can I check to distinguish?

 

[tjkj2002]

Thanks guys. Put a new belt on two weeks ago as preventive maintenance. While the belt was off I checked pulleys for smoothness and any wobble, nothing stuck out. How else can I check to distinguish?

There is a internal spring in the tensioner that goes bad just as fast as the serp belt and has nothing to do with the pulley bearings.I kept the bad tensioner that would only chatter with the A/C,just to have a 3rd set of pulley's just in case.Since you can not check that spring in the tensioner you just replace the tensioner whne you change the belt,cheap insurance.

 

[kb0nly]

x2... Seems the recommended procedure is belt and tensioner whenever you replace.

I should pick up the set so i have it ready when i need it, so far the belt is nice and tight and quiet on my 03' but i don't know if its the original or not at 46k.

 

[offrovering]

is the tensioner a one piece or can I just buy bearings, pulleys, etc.?

 

[tjkj2002]

is the tensioner a one piece or can I just buy bearings, pulleys, etc.?

One piece that includes the tensioner and 2 pulley's.

 

[kb0nly]

Tensioner is about $50-$60 on RockAuto, and the belt is another $25.

I also checked Advance Auto Parts, about the same price there for both, $56 for the tensioner, $25 for the belt. So about $80 with tax either way.

 

[offrovering]

Just for anyone else who might read. Put new dayco tensioner on tonight, that was it. Belt tension is tight but doesn't seem to be as tight, maybe factory tensioner has a different spread from pulley to pulley, just a smidgen.

Thanks for the help, easy 15 min fix.