I have a 99 dodge ram 1500 4X2 that I just bought a couple weeks ago it recentley started giving me a few issues and I was wondering if you guys could help me with them

1. There is a squeeking of the belts going on when driving when air is on or off it dosent matter. I turn the air *** to defrost then back off and the squeek goes away for a while.

2. There is a smell coming into the cab of the truck from the driver side of the engine. Its an odd smell I can't describe but when I inspect the smell I see no leaks but it seems to be coming from the fan/belt/radiator area.

I took it to get an oil change and asked the guys and they said the squeeking is the serpentine belt and the smell is the A/C compressor it needs to be charged.. Is this correct or does the A/C compressor have to be replaced or is it something else totally different.

I'm new to these forums and I just wanna thank ya'll for the help. I love dodges.

 

Squeel is most likely the belt or tensioner pulley. Does it smell like rotten eggs or more of a sweet smell?

 

More of a rotten smell deff not sweet.

 

Possibly bad bearings on the a/c pulley.... might stink a bit. Might also be a contributor to your squealing.... Does your a/c work?

 

It did but now it doesn't. There is air but not cold. I think the AC needs to be charged.

 

This reads like the A/C comp clutch or the whole A/C comp is shot.

 

Sounds like a big job and a possible pain in the *** huh.

 

No its actually a pretty easy fix. A new compressor should run you about $60 and then you have to have it charged. The compressor itself is easy to swap.

 

If it is the A/C clutch or the whole comp and it does stop it will burn through the belt, leavening you stranded and a possible truck fire. A/C work should only be done at a shop that has all the right tools and equipment. If you don't need A/C there is a bypass pulley set-up that you can buy for around $60, this will eliminate the A/C comp all together while still using the same size belt.

RockAuto parts prices start at $145 and up for a A/C comp.

 

Well I just changed out the serpentie belt so the squeeking went away, It only squeeks when I first start up the truck. Now how sure are you that its the A/C compressor and not the "Dodge Mold build up". I have a warrentie that covers the A/C I just gotta wait a little longer for it to kick in,.