I have a 2003 durango with 170,000 on it and My gf says she hears a noise from under the hood,. I found that the fan clutch was wobbling, I figured this was bad, got a new clutch and new belt, installed both and took for test ride and the noise is still there. While at idle you cant hear it too much but when lightly on the gas it squeels. I look at all the pullys while running and it looks like the ac compressor pully is wobbling as its going around, This is not normal right? while I had the belt off I spun the alternator and it turns freely and kept spinning no noise. What is all involved in changing the compressor! I will check back soon going to go diagnose some more! Thanks

 

Try replacing your idler pulley.

SJ02

 

Is that the pully that you put a socket on to loosen the tension off the belt? Do you happen to have a part number as for advanceauto is just showing the one wheel?

 

No, that's your tensioner pulley. Here's the one from Advance Auto....
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...m=idler+pulley

It just has 1 bolt through the middle. DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE ONE FOR YOURS OR NOT

SJ02

 

ok so I would need the idler pully,? Not the Idler/Tensioner Pulley http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...ley#fragment-3

Just was outside and loosened the belt and the lower pulley did not spin freely tensioner pully did!! as for the ac compressor should you be able to turn the pully by hand or not? Because I cant!!

 

It could easily be a combination of them. Personally, I've replaced all on mine. Recently, my AC Compressor locked up, so I couldn't turn the pulley on that. If your AC works, then I'd say that was ok for now.

SJ02

 

interesting, well I will pick up an idler pully and see wwhat that does its a cheap investment to narrow down. Yes the ac works, did you have any issues when on of these things lock up?

 

just the noise that you are hearing. The idler pulley noise got worse after about a week. No locking, just noisy. I had the tensioner pulley's pulley shatter once and replaced that. Was interesting driving home with it like that. The 1st time the AC Compressor messed up, it sprayed that tar goo all over it and the alternator. 2nd time, it left some dusty-rust around. Like you said, the Idler Pulley is cheap enough to swap out, so start there. If you can, drive to the Parts Place and have them listen. Maybe they have a long stethoscope and can listen to it. That's how I tracked mine to the Idler Pulley. I originally thought it was the Tensioner Pulley or Alternator.

SJ02

 

its funny though sometimes you dont hear it and sometimes you do , Out in the garage with the truck running I cant hear it, Weird sometimes you hear it and sometimes you dont!

I replaced the clutch fan as stated and I an reading that it shouldnt spin till the engine reaches normal temp, Mine spins as soon as it starts up! Iam confused! Maybe I didnt need to replace that!
http://www.ehow.com/how_5086903_test-fan-clutch.html

 

ArticPower says that the pulley on the ac compressor seems to be wobbling? If so, the bearings on the compressor pulley is shot.

Some local a/c shops can replace the bearings, but depending on cost, it may be cheaper to replace the whole compressor.

Please confirm that the bearings on the a/c compressor is not bad, the pulley on the compressor should not have any play whatsoever.