Hello all,

I have a 1996 4x4 4dr with 4.3l v6, at, with a/c. When I bought this truck (it was Feb. last year) didn't check a/c. Should have. Found out that the serpentine belt was not hooked up to the a/c compressor. That makes me think the a/c compressor is shot, and they hooked up the shorter non a/c belt before selling.

I was driving to work the other day and my power went out. The idler puller bearings froze and the belt snapped. I had a guy replace the idler pulley and put a new belt on. The only thing is he put a a/c belt on, and I have never had one on my truck since I bought it a year ago. Now there is a squealing sound from the belt when I drive. Never had this noise before. Checked bolt tension on new idler puller, it was on tight.

Am I right to assume the a/c compressor is making this noise? I tried to listen under the hood but couldn't really say where it was coming from.

Don't know if it always does this or not, but I also noticed the radiator fan was running the whole time (from start-up to shut down- 5minutes or so) Since before this happened I had no noise, and no real problems, except no a/c, should I put a non a/c belt back on and see if this fixes problem.

Thanks for any input,

Dan

 

Putting a "non-A/C belt on would probably isolate where the problem is coming from. I wonder if the fan would stop. I dunno but I wonder if the compressor is bad and "bogging" down the motor causing the engine to work harder? Somebody probably knows better than me though.

 

Why not just fix the a/c? Otherwise I guess I would just put a non a/c belt back on for now.

 

The radiator fan really never stops moving at any point while the engine is running.

It is possible that the nose bearing on the A/C compressor is bad. You could remove the belt and check the feel of this pulley. It is also possible that the noise is coming from the clutch on the A/C compressor.

 

Thanks for the replies fellas. I went to put the non-ac belt back on , but the moron at the parts store gave me the wrong size belt. Anybody know the length or a part # I can use?

Thanks,

Dan

 

ACDELCO Part # 6K960 {K06 13/16" x 96 5/8" #88932794}