A/C tension pulley bouncing like crazy. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Blaze69 · 07-01-2009, 08:16 PM

Ok, here's my dilema. When I turn the a/c on and idle the Hoe everything seems to work just fine. If I put a load on the engine and rev up to around 18-1900 rpms then the ac tension pulley goes mad and starts to bounce and bang all around. If I go below that point or above it then the problem goes away.
The a/c gets nice and cold and both the belt and tension pulley assy have been changed. Pressures look good also. I'm thinking it's either the clutch is not staying engaged or the compressor bearings are on the way out. From what I can the compressor is not making any abnormal noises.

Any thoughts???

**truckdude239** · 07-01-2009, 10:39 PM

i guess it is normall i have these truccks coming thought my shop and they all bounce around and stop when th ac goes off

Blaze69 · 07-02-2009, 12:24 AM

Some bounce would be normal, but in this case the pulley bounces so much that it hits the two metal cooling lines below it. It almost sounds like the fan hitting the shroud. I have visually verified that it is the tensioner making the noise. What is causing it to do that is the big question since it only started on Saturday.

**truckdude239** · 07-02-2009, 06:31 AM

what kind of tensioner did you install and belt?

Blaze69 · 07-02-2009, 07:03 AM

Just replacement ones from Carquest. I forget what the Gm number for the tensioner is. The belt is just a standard belt. Not sure where you're going with this but if you got some thoughts, please, let me know.
Thanks

**truckdude239** · 07-02-2009, 06:33 PM

well i know some of the cheaper belts will get longer over time . m,y main thing was that you where using good parts and not cheap ones. wondering if they gave u the right belt and not one that maybe 1/2 inch longer. too long of a belt will nto elt the tenisor do its job but it propley wouldn't stay on very well

**truckdude239** · 07-02-2009, 06:36 PM

do u remenber the part number of the belt you bought? another thought is you could have agot a bad tenisor off the get go

Blaze69 · 07-02-2009, 10:59 PM

You know, I don't remember the part number, I'd have to look at the receipt. I'm guessing it was the right one or the old one I had on there was the wrong one also. I matched them up when I got the new one to be sure. You know how it goes with getting parts. You will sometimes get a bad one. In my line of work that happens all the time and it gets annoying every now and again. I suppose those of you in the auto repair industry find the same thing.

On a new note. I took the Hoe to the shop today to get an "expert" opinion. The response was:
Your compressor is seizing up which is causing the tensioner to bounce all around. They produced a TB from GM that says they know of this sort of problem blah, blah, blah and that the end fix is just to replace it.

Sometimes you got to go with the people who know, but the stubborn in me wonders if there is some way to tell for sure it's that and not the clutch slippin or even worse an electrical problem. Anyway I called around and the kits gonna run around 3 bills in parts, my labor (I think I can) and whatever the cost is to evac, leak check and charge. Hopefully I don't make things worse.

**truckdude239** · 07-03-2009, 12:57 PM

its not that bad of a job to do just change the compressor revicer drier and the ofrice tube for warranty reasons

killer71 · 07-04-2009, 10:01 AM

it's the compressor. My suburban was doing the same exact thing. I replaced the tensioner and still the same flapping. Talked with the experts, they said change the compressor, i did and haven't had a bit of trouble. We tore the compressor a part once we got it off and it was the read valve busted on the discharge side. Was still cooling and no noise. Take my word cuz i've been there and done it...

BACKYARD88 · 07-10-2009, 02:29 PM

We see it all day long here as well. The compressor is the culprit

DavesRide · 08-02-2009, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BACKYARD88

We see it all day long here as well. The compressor is the culprit

In total agreement. David

clinebarger · 08-02-2009, 06:56 PM

I change at least 1 a week at my shop in ft worth. everytime someone has changed the tensioner & belt by the time they bring it to me. I like the work!

07-01-2009, 08:16 PM	#1
Blaze69 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arizona Posts: 147	A/C tension pulley bouncing like crazy. Ok, here's my dilema. When I turn the a/c on and idle the Hoe everything seems to work just fine. If I put a load on the engine and rev up to around 18-1900 rpms then the ac tension pulley goes mad and starts to bounce and bang all around. If I go below that point or above it then the problem goes away. The a/c gets nice and cold and both the belt and tension pulley assy have been changed. Pressures look good also. I'm thinking it's either the clutch is not staying engaged or the compressor bearings are on the way out. From what I can the compressor is not making any abnormal noises. Any thoughts??? __________________ 1969 Blazer: 350/350, 4X4, HEI, Edlebrock carb/intake, dual flowmasters, np205, 3:07's and the rest is mostly stock. The front end disc swap is finally complete 2002 Z71 Tahoe. CAI, Flowmaster 40, Silverstars in high, low and fogs and a bunch of mods (upgrades) inside and out.

07-01-2009, 10:39 PM	#2
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,217	Re: A/C tension pulley bouncing like crazy. i guess it is normall i have these truccks coming thought my shop and they all bounce around and stop when th ac goes off __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

07-02-2009, 12:24 AM	#3
Blaze69 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arizona Posts: 147	Re: A/C tension pulley bouncing like crazy. Some bounce would be normal, but in this case the pulley bounces so much that it hits the two metal cooling lines below it. It almost sounds like the fan hitting the shroud. I have visually verified that it is the tensioner making the noise. What is causing it to do that is the big question since it only started on Saturday. __________________ 1969 Blazer: 350/350, 4X4, HEI, Edlebrock carb/intake, dual flowmasters, np205, 3:07's and the rest is mostly stock. The front end disc swap is finally complete 2002 Z71 Tahoe. CAI, Flowmaster 40, Silverstars in high, low and fogs and a bunch of mods (upgrades) inside and out.

07-02-2009, 06:31 AM	#4
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,217	Re: A/C tension pulley bouncing like crazy. what kind of tensioner did you install and belt? __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

07-02-2009, 07:03 AM	#5
Blaze69 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arizona Posts: 147	Re: A/C tension pulley bouncing like crazy. Just replacement ones from Carquest. I forget what the Gm number for the tensioner is. The belt is just a standard belt. Not sure where you're going with this but if you got some thoughts, please, let me know. Thanks __________________ 1969 Blazer: 350/350, 4X4, HEI, Edlebrock carb/intake, dual flowmasters, np205, 3:07's and the rest is mostly stock. The front end disc swap is finally complete 2002 Z71 Tahoe. CAI, Flowmaster 40, Silverstars in high, low and fogs and a bunch of mods (upgrades) inside and out.

07-02-2009, 06:33 PM	#6
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,217	Re: A/C tension pulley bouncing like crazy. well i know some of the cheaper belts will get longer over time . m,y main thing was that you where using good parts and not cheap ones. wondering if they gave u the right belt and not one that maybe 1/2 inch longer. too long of a belt will nto elt the tenisor do its job but it propley wouldn't stay on very well __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube Last edited by truckdude239; 07-02-2009 at 06:34 PM.

07-02-2009, 06:36 PM	#7
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,217	Re: A/C tension pulley bouncing like crazy. do u remenber the part number of the belt you bought? another thought is you could have agot a bad tenisor off the get go __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube Last edited by truckdude239; 07-02-2009 at 06:36 PM.

07-02-2009, 10:59 PM	#8
Blaze69 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arizona Posts: 147	Re: A/C tension pulley bouncing like crazy. You know, I don't remember the part number, I'd have to look at the receipt. I'm guessing it was the right one or the old one I had on there was the wrong one also. I matched them up when I got the new one to be sure. You know how it goes with getting parts. You will sometimes get a bad one. In my line of work that happens all the time and it gets annoying every now and again. I suppose those of you in the auto repair industry find the same thing. On a new note. I took the Hoe to the shop today to get an "expert" opinion. The response was: Your compressor is seizing up which is causing the tensioner to bounce all around. They produced a TB from GM that says they know of this sort of problem blah, blah, blah and that the end fix is just to replace it. Sometimes you got to go with the people who know, but the stubborn in me wonders if there is some way to tell for sure it's that and not the clutch slippin or even worse an electrical problem. Anyway I called around and the kits gonna run around 3 bills in parts, my labor (I think I can) and whatever the cost is to evac, leak check and charge. Hopefully I don't make things worse. __________________ 1969 Blazer: 350/350, 4X4, HEI, Edlebrock carb/intake, dual flowmasters, np205, 3:07's and the rest is mostly stock. The front end disc swap is finally complete 2002 Z71 Tahoe. CAI, Flowmaster 40, Silverstars in high, low and fogs and a bunch of mods (upgrades) inside and out.

07-03-2009, 12:57 PM	#9
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,217	Re: A/C tension pulley bouncing like crazy. its not that bad of a job to do just change the compressor revicer drier and the ofrice tube for warranty reasons __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

07-04-2009, 10:01 AM	#10
killer71 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: at work Posts: 2,552	Re: A/C tension pulley bouncing like crazy. it's the compressor. My suburban was doing the same exact thing. I replaced the tensioner and still the same flapping. Talked with the experts, they said change the compressor, i did and haven't had a bit of trouble. We tore the compressor a part once we got it off and it was the read valve busted on the discharge side. Was still cooling and no noise. Take my word cuz i've been there and done it... __________________ R.I.P. Killer 71 10/26/07

07-10-2009, 02:29 PM	#11
BACKYARD88 On the fast track to nowhere.. Join Date: May 2006 Location: Splendora, Texas Posts: 5,316	Re: A/C tension pulley bouncing like crazy. We see it all day long here as well. The compressor is the culprit __________________ -Mike Owen- Support the board here! 71 Chevy short fleet build thread Double D Norwood, Houston, Cecilia, Jackson, Monroe and counting

08-02-2009, 06:56 PM	#13
clinebarger Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 6,370	Re: A/C tension pulley bouncing like crazy. I change at least 1 a week at my shop in ft worth. everytime someone has changed the tensioner & belt by the time they bring it to me. I like the work!



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