'squealing' noise leads to endless repairs. Ripped off?

[jasonsos]

I brought my J30t to my friendly home town grease monkey ;-), when a loud 'squealing' was first noticed--that first day. He told me it was the water pump (there was a leaking of anti-freeze) and all three (3) belts should be changed as well. I agreed, and three (3) days and $420.00 later; I picked it up. It ran great for about two days when the 'squealing' noise came back. I returned the car to him. This time, he said that the 'a/c belt' was not tight enough, and I had to bring it back the first part of the next week. This was on a Thursday, so I understood. I dropped it off to him and he was kind enough to drive me home and offered to pick me up once the car was fixed. I'm thinking, "What a guy!" So, two days later, I get a call from him telling me that now it was actually the belt was too loose and the a/c pulley bearing was bad and causing all that 'squealing' to begin with, 'more than likely.' I told him to please just fix it. He called after two more days, and offered to come pick me up. I asked my sister to bring me, because I didn't want to impose upon his good and friendly offer. I paid him $280.00 for his work and left with no noise at all. I drove it to the bank, Post Office and the food store in this small town of 23,000 souls (a small city, really). It didn't make a sound and sounded like it was the brand new sounding engine that it used to sound like, before all this began. The next day, the 'squealing' returned with a vengeance. It was twice as loud, so I drove straight to his place, popped the hood and he began to laugh, saying that it was now the 'a/c compressor' after all, as it was freezing up, barely turning and melting the too tight belt that popped on the way home after he told me he would have to try to find another compressor, have that one rebuilt or install a brand new one. I ask what that would cost, and he wouldn't say, only mentioned a truck sitting beside my J30t that they had just put a new a/c compressor on that was $425.00 without including labor, extra parts and tax, so he would have to call me back, but laughingly said it would be close to $1,000.00 plus labor.Funny thing, but it all began with the 'squealing noise' to begin with!Any advice out there you guys?2nd funny thing: last month I got the clear title to the car, having made my last payment.Please stop laughing. I can hear you from here. Please know that I am a disabled Veteran and cannot do the work myself.What say ye (Y'all)?ThanksJasonsos

[Ebbtide]

Does your A/C work? If your car gets cold it is not a seizing compressor.

Your local shop might not be trying to rip you off, but simply might not know what they are doing.

I can share a very similar experience, only I was the mechanic. Not long after I got mine the same symptoms occurred. I initially though it was the alternator. It was the original and figured it would not hurt to change. After a few days the noise came back and I replaced the idler pulley. Totally miffed when it returned I changed all the belts.

One thing I noticed was the squealing became louder under load from the A/C. Though the sound did not seem to come from that area (took two guys to figure that out...had to make the noise to find it. It never happened at idle). I checked the a/c pulley and it seemed fine (I spun it with the belts and engine off). So even if it was the A/C clutch, it should not make that noise when not engaged.

After some more fiddling, I decided to go against my better judgment and really tightened down all the belts.

Lesson learned: Forget about the idea that you don't over tighten belts on these type cars. I was always taught that there should be some play in the belt, I've changed many, many belts over the years leaving an inch of flex and never a problem.

If you can take it for a second opinion or simply ask them to tighten the belts real tight, you might solve your problem.

GO NAVY!

[jasonsos]

No. The new belt broke off yesterday, but the compressor was ONLY putting out cool air when the compressor was turning, even with the noise. Now that the belt is gone; the compressor is not turning, or, as Jerry said last night when I called him: "It froze up and then the belt snapped."I had called to also ask him if it was okay to drive, as I couldn't recall if that belt also ran the alternator. He said that it was safe to drive, and that the belt did not run the alternator.He's going to call me back on Monday, should he try to find a place that could rebuild the compressor to help save me some money.I really like this guy and want to believe him, as my sister and my Aunt both had their cars repaired by him with no 'call backs' and were happy with his service. He's really a very friendly guy--and I can only hope that he is honest.Thanks for your post!Jasonsos

[95-J30tt]

there is an idler pulley that goes before the AC and is connected to the same belt, they are known to break on the J, even if he installed a new one, he might have over tightened the idler, if that is the case, then the belt will defenately snap, make sure to inform your mechanic.... i did all the belts on my J, the only one that gave me trouble was the AC belt, the idler was either too loose (making a metal scratching noise if too loose, as the idler would be hitting bracket while turning) or too tight (making the squealing noise you described and eventually snapping the belt)

to diagnose the problem, get your mechanic to go under and check the idler, it should turn freely (and i mean freely), also ask him to check if the idler has any play in it (it shouldnt, if it does play, then either the idler bolt is too loose, or the idler needs replacing)

i hope this helps, good luck

[jasonsos]

Thanks Bud.I have written down your info, as Jerry hasn't called me back yet about the cost, etc.Sorry I haven't gotten back soon. I've been ill.Thanks for your input and knowledge!And yes, thank you for helping to keep this site going!Jasonsos