[noahsdad]

Need your help guys. My '87 DeVille - HT 4100 just started making a nasty squealing noise from the serpentine side of the engine. It gives off a sharp squawk when it first starts. As it idles there is a definite mechanical noise which gradually gets louder as it runs. The belt is hot after just a minute or so of running, and there's a hot smell from that area.

Does this sound like a water pump? The pump is not leaking, and the engine is running fine. An earlier post mentioned the A/C compressor as a possibility.

I'm going to pull the belt and turn all the pulleys, but any suggestions you can offer would help.

Thanks!

 

[DFBonnett]

Need your help guys. My '87 DeVille - HT 4100 just started making a nasty squealing noise from the serpentine side of the engine. It gives off a sharp squawk when it first starts. As it idles there is a definite mechanical noise which gradually gets louder as it runs. The belt is hot after just a minute or so of running, and there's a hot smell from that area.

Does this sound like a water pump? The pump is not leaking, and the engine is running fine. An earlier post mentioned the A/C compressor as a possibility.

I'm going to pull the belt and turn all the pulleys, but any suggestions you can offer would help.

Thanks!

Sounds like something siezed up. Good idea to pull the belt and turn the pulleys. That should tell the tale.

 

[terrible one]

Yeah either something is seized as DFBonnett said, or something isn't turning as freely as it once was. Another thing it could be is your belt is just loose and is slipping.

 

[Kev]

If you are a lucky man the problem might end up being a seized belt tensioner pulley. I would check that first and hope it is the culprit.

 

[noahsdad]

Okay - think I found it. After removing the belt and turning all the pulleys, the only one with any resistance was the AC compressor (but, it's a compressor - it should have some resistance, right?) Left the belt off and started the engine - noise was gone completely. Put the belt back on, observe everything in action and all looks fine, until - WTF? Sparks coming from the compressor? Yep, actual sparks, about 1 every 15 seconds, from the pulley side. Not rubbing, the sparks are coming from inside, Noise found. The air hasn't worked in 2 years because of a compressor leak anyway, so I'm taking it to the local AC specialist and having it done. That's my Christmas present for this year...

 

[adalla]

Okay - think I found it. After removing the belt and turning all the pulleys, the only one with any resistance was the AC compressor (but, it's a compressor - it should have some resistance, right?) Left the belt off and started the engine - noise was gone completely. Put the belt back on, observe everything in action and all looks fine, until - WTF? Sparks coming from the compressor? Yep, actual sparks, about 1 every 15 seconds, from the pulley side. Not rubbing, the sparks are coming from inside, Noise found. The air hasn't worked in 2 years because of a compressor leak anyway, so I'm taking it to the local AC specialist and having it done. That's my Christmas present for this year...

I am afraid it's going to be an expensive one...

 

[noahsdad]

So, $972 later, I'm back in Cadillac heaven. The compressor froze completely 3 miles from my house on the way to the A/C shop. The serp belt melted and snapped right before my eyes. The tow truck driver was a nice guy, especially when I gave him my credit card. Now I'm face first into a Michigan winter with air conditioning that works perfectly. Seriously, John the tech (looks like grizzly adams, knows his stuff on a/c) did a wonderful job. I set the temp at 70, and the old girl wrapped me in a blanket of warm Cadilllac heat. I really wanted a new La-Z-Boy for Christmas, but those DeVille seats are almost as good...