A/C Compressor noise

[Viper Guy]

Viper Guy again. Just heard back from DMC in Texas regarding my squealing and stalling A/C compressor. I was surprised to learn that the A/C belt is supposed to be the 1/2 inch wide "B" belt and not the normal 3/8 inch "A" belt used for the alternator, etc.

Mine is the 3/8 belt that is a replacement for the one that snapped when the previous owner had the car. I will not be back in town until next Tuesday at which time I will change the belt and install a 1/2 inch wide one per DMC's suggestion.

Anyone else to comment on this? This certainly was news to me.

Once I get this solved and the new windshield in, I should be in tall cotton! All else seems to be perfectly fine.

[Ron]

I can see the wrong belt slipping and burning up, and the compressor stopping, but it would be odd for a brand new belt to break as in the other thread...

Is the compressor itself actually noisy or just the belt?

[Viper Guy]

I can see the wrong belt slipping and burning up, and the compressor stopping, but it would be odd for a brand new belt to break as in the other thread...

Is the compressor itself actually noisy or just the belt?

The more I think about it, it might be the belt because the squealing is taking place while the compressor is stalling/stopping. And if the compressor is actually stopping, it wouldn't be squealing itself but may, more than likely, be the belt.

I'll find out for sure next Tuesday.

Thanks,

Fred

[jmettee]

I've seen a number of D's with belts that look too wide for the pulleys. Any car I've ever seen, the top of the belt is flush with the pulley edges & has a gap in the "V" under the belt. I don't know where these belts are coming from that are sticking out past the diameter of the pulley, but I'm thinking those are the incorrect size.

I'm not finding much in a Google search on proper V-belt/pulley fit to prove it 1 way or another....

[David T]

I've seen a number of D's with belts that look too wide for the pulleys. Any car I've ever seen, the top of the belt is flush with the pulley edges & has a gap in the "V" under the belt. I don't know where these belts are coming from that are sticking out past the diameter of the pulley, but I'm thinking those are the incorrect size.

I'm not finding much in a Google search on proper V-belt/pulley fit to prove it 1 way or another....

The wrong size belt would certainly slip. It is riding on it's bottom. That is a BIG No-No. A Vee belt is supposed to ride on it's sides, never touching the bottom. It is the older "B" size width. Get the new belt you and that should solve your problem.

[Viper Guy]

I can see the wrong belt slipping and burning up, and the compressor stopping, but it would be odd for a brand new belt to break as in the other thread...

Is the compressor itself actually noisy or just the belt?

Turned out to be the belt not being the 1/2" B belt. The 3/8" A belt does not work. Now I have an extra compressor which is perfectly good, a new accumulator, and a new orifice thingy. eBay, here I come!

[Ron]

Good luck! -- Tis the season... ;-)