AC - Squeaky belts when gas is pressed

[Callaway]

I've got a Jeep 2001 Sport Cherokee 4x4 6 cylinder (not the Grand). When I first turn on my AC and begin to accellerate, my belts go nuts (EEEEEEeeeeeeeek). After about 5 minutes, I have no troubles whatsoever. If I have the heat on, no troubles. If I don't have the AC on, no troubles.

Now my uncle suggested to put some WD40 on the belts...Which worked for a day (in Las Vegas things just don't stay wet/lubricated). Should I see about having the belts replaced? My AC looked at? Try a different lubricant?

Thanks!

[Rockwell]

Is it only when you turn on your AC, or does it start to eeeeek when your first start your car?

[vincent]

Sounds like your belts are getting a lil thin there. I'd replace asap

[+chorpeac MVC]

how many miles are on teh Jeep? I think those belts needs to be replaced around 75,000-80,000 miles right? Maybe it is time to replace it. I think they make this stuff called belt dressing that you can spray on it.

[Chicane-UK Veteran]

Yeah.. replace the belts. Aux belts aren't hugely expensive to get replaced and will more than likely cure the squeaks!

My Corrado used to suffer from squeaky aux belt whenever it rained or the air was generally damp.. had it replaced with a cheap 'non-OEM' part which squeaked all the time and drove me crazy.. so went and sourced an original / new part from the dealer, and had that fitted instead. Never made a squeak again :)

[wrench]

A loud, screeching belt is usually an indication that it is loose. If it has been doing it for a while, it is probably worn too. If the belt isn't too old and is still in good condition, tightening it will be the solution. Otherwise you need to replace it.

[bfoos]

A loud, screeching belt is usually an indication that it is loose. If it has been doing it for a while, it is probably worn too. If the belt isn't too old and is still in good condition, tightening it will be the solution. Otherwise you need to replace it.

585845266[/snapback]

Agreed. Check the belt for wear like dry rot and cracks. If you don't see any, tighten the belt. If you do, replace it. Spraying wd-40 on it is nothing but bad advice. We call it ghetto rigging where I live. All that does is treat the symptom. It does nothing to fix the underlying issue.

[Zip]

yeah check the tightness, the belt for my powersteering pump was loose and squeeked past 4500rpm and made me look very silly. it took 5 mins to fix ;)

[Callaway]

Ghetto Rigging lol. Thanks for putting it so nicely :happy:

To answer an earlier question, the Jeep has 60,402 miles on her. The squeak only starts when I turn the AC on. When I turn my Jeep on, no troubles at all. When I turn my Heat on, no troubles at all. Only when I first turn the AC on.

Since someone mentioned the belts should be changed 75,000 miles or so, I'll probably just go ahead and have them changed now to save the headache a year from now. Thanks all! I'll let you know if that fixes it or doesn't fix it :cool:

[Thingfish]

Sometimes belts that are tight squeel because of glazing. If its tight, and has no dry cracking / cords showing , try some belt dressing.

The majority of squeeling belts we see in the shop is from contamination. IE: Antifreeze, oil , brake fluid so on.

If ANY oil based material has been on the belt, ( wd-40,motor oil ) they need to be replaced asap. It WILL be eating the rubber.