1993 Dodge Dakota LE, 5.2L, Auto A518, RWD, 186,000 miles, Original owner

I have some squeaky squeak coming out the front of engine. A pulley no doubt. Occurs after starting truck and seems to disappear in a couple minutes. Thinking it might be the AC compressor bearing. Not likely to be idler, power steering, or alternator cuz they’re not that old. I suppose it could be the fan pulley but I put a new water pump on some 12 years ago. Don’t know if that included a new pully/bearing. Tried a stethascope but it all sounds the same to me.

I can take the serpentine belt off and spin that AC pulley to see what happens but I’m thinking if I turn on the AC the squeak will go away? Just guessing. Haven’t tried doing that yet.

Am I right?

 

If it is the a/c clutch bearings, then yes, the noise should go away when the compressor engages.

 

Just tried it. The squeak squeak seems to be there regardless if the AC compressor is engaged or not. It's not a squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeak (constant sound). It's a squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak sound...an up and down sound curve. I'll try it again tomorrow just to be sure.

The power steering pump is 1-1/2 years old (4,600 miles).
The tensioner pulley is 7 years old (18,500 miles).
The idler is 7 years old (19,000 miles).
The alternator is 8 years old (20,500 miles).
The water pump is 10-1/2 years old (31,000 miles).

I loosened the drive belt and tried wiggling the fan to see if I could detect any play on that water pump pulley. None. Tight as a witch's weenie. Not seeing any anti freeze leaks. I suspect if that noise is coming from the water pump pulley then this squeak squeak is just a preview and it will be a little more time before it gets worse.

I guess my action plan is to do nothing unless or until this squeak squeak gets worse. If anyone has any other things I should check then I'm all ears. For the record, I'm sensitive to any pulley noise. It was 7 years ago on I-95 on July 3 the idler pulley failed near a tiny town called Yemassee, SC. The drive belt broke, wrapped itself around the upper radiator hose, and ripped the neck out of the radiator. That cost me a tow and radiator replacement not to mention I was getting a Deliverance vibe in that town (turned out they were good people albeit quiet). Overall it was not a good day so I prefer to prevent that from happening again.

 

Try spraying a bit of belt dressing on the belt. If the squeak goes away, it's just dirt in the grooves.

 

Good idea. Will do. The squeak noise has a longer pause between squeaks than what you'd expect if it were a bad spot on the bearing. Longer travel time, longer pause? Just a theory. Gotta pick up a can of dressing. Thx HY.

 

I had a new belt start to squeak. I went over ever groove in every pulley with sand paper and a wire brush.It is very tedious and I was surprised how much dirt was in there.

 

Seems it would be less of a headache to get a new belt.

 

The pulleys collect dirt too.

 

It has not squeaked since. That is many years ago. I think back when Ralph posted bragging on the Continental belts I think it was.

 

Ha! I tried finding Gates heater hoses. Found the preformed one but not the straight one. Ended up with Continental thinking I was settling for less.