1997 dodge avenger 2.0, belt squealing

check your belt tension. rub a wax candle on the drive side of the belt and see if it goes away.

sounds like you either need a new belt or your a/c compressor is starting to fail cause its causing a load on the belt from not turning freely...

The squealing is from the crankshaft p[ulley turn the belt on another pulley that is not turning as faster, Let it sqeal long enough and it will burn the belt in half. The pulley on the A/C maybe turning freely, but when you engage the A/C, the compressor itself is not, causing it to squeal. My guess is that the compressor is locking up or you have added to much freon. Having to much freon causes to much pressure buid up and will stop the compressor.

Is it possible that the belt tensioner is the cause for the squeal or possibly the belt itself needs to be replaced. Although not impossible, the lower pulley usually is not the cause for belt squeal, unless it is damaged.

check belts alternator, power steering pump

Could it be the pulley on the AC that's squealing? Use a mechanic's stethoscope to locate the squeal. If it is the AC, you can get a belt that is shorter, and bypass the pump, since it doesn't work anyway. Try some belt dressing first. When the engine is running, just spray it on the inside of the belt.

it could squeel due to it being a new belt or dust/dirty from the road. the pulley could also be warn and squeaks due to metal rubbing against metal

Squealing, like a belt? I've found that the alternator belt has to be super-tight or else it squeals. It's a pain in the **** to torque the alternator sideways enough to tighten the belt.

If it is a belt, you could also buy some belt dressing spray and see if that helps. It's pretty cheap stuff per can.

Regards,
Weasel5i2

Hi,
I found these 3000GT/Dodge Stealth DOHC Serpentine belt diagrams on the link below...
http://www.stealth316.com/2-ac-compressor.htm

If you are re-using the drive belt, be sure to install it in the same orientation as it had before removal (same side facing the wheel well). Insert the belt from above. Turn it "sideways" to fit it in between the alternator pulley and the AC pipe. Correctly tension the drive belt using its tensioner pulley. Before installing the plastic covers and wheel, temporarily install the IC pipes and battery negative cable and start the engine to check the belt operation. If the belt squeals it is either misaligned or too loose. I found that my old belt squealed when installed "backwards" from how it was removed. It did not squeal when installed in the same orientation. If you have messed with both drive belts, spray a little water on one belt at a time to see which is squealing. A misalligned belt will stop squealing for a very short time after water is sprayed on it, but the squealing quickly comes back louder than before. If the belt is loose, the squealing will immediately get louder. Also note that there is just a little play in how the alternator bolts in. If misalignment is a problem, loosen all four bracket mounting bolts (this may require again removing an IC pipe), reposition the alternator, and tighten the bolts to see if this helps. Do not tighten the belt too much because this can lead to shaft bearing failure over time.

Here are some links concerning drive belt adjustment.
http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?brochure=1026
http://www.ridgeautoparts.com/tips/the_charging_system1_2.htm
http://www.utfleets.com/library/features/accessory_drive_belts.htm


Your Pal,
Annulusgear