Nasty hissing from pulley

[Bigceeloc]

I've been getting a nasty hissing/light scraping noise from my a/c pulley I think. Whenever I turn the heater on, the noise goes away. The hissing only comes sometimes after the car is at normal operating temp.

What do I do? What's happening to the pulley? What kind of a fix am I looking at here?

[Gimli]

First and foremost have you ever inspected/changed your serpentine belt? Most "pully" whine is actually caused by a worn belt.

[carlover626]

I am getting some sort of hissing noise also. I have a 97 2.4 GT 5 spd. that's hissing and whining. I just had the Alt. replaced, so I know it's not that. But when I turn my heat control, my whole engine idle's up for a sec. then quiets back down. Does your engine FEEL differant when the heat is on or off? Mine acts restricted and more loud with the heat off. But no matter what, the whine is present.

[Bpow]

Here's an easy fix for your problem.....With the car running, take a can of WD-40 and spray at the belt as it is rotating around the pulleys. Don't soke the thing but make sure you cover the entire belt. As long as the belt isn't cracked or frayed, this should take care of it. FYI...the belt will dry up within one to two weeks so you may have to keep repeating it.

[Gimli]

Originally posted by bp's97GAGT
Here's an easy fix for your problem.....With the car running, take a can of WD-40 and spray at the belt as it is rotating around the pulleys. Don't soke the thing but make sure you cover the entire belt. As long as the belt isn't cracked or frayed, this should take care of it. FYI...the belt will dry up within one to two weeks so you may have to keep repeating it.

If that fixes your problem you need a new belt.

[Bigceeloc]

So I either need a new belt or there's not enough tension in the belt? Are u saying the whining could be caused by the slipping?

[4kQuad]

Yes, if it's from being loose the noise will be louder when the belt is cold( when you first start the motor) it will then seem to go away after everything is warmed up.

If it's real loose the noise may still be there, but the tone of the sound it makes should change after it's all warmed up.

[Gimli]

Originally posted by Bigceeloc
So I either need a new belt or there's not enough tension in the belt? Are u saying the whining could be caused by the slipping?

Exactly. The added noise when you turn on the AC compressor would be from the added load on the belt which makes it slip more.

It could also be your belt tensioner that's getting lazy but I'd change the belt first. If it still does it then change your tensioner as well.

[Bigceeloc]

Well see thats just it. It seems to quiet down when I turn on the AC compressor. I'm still gonna take your advice and tension it up a bit, but it's wierd, ya know?