SO I drive my 99 camaro 3.8l v6 as an everyday car and about a week ago I noticed a squeak upon startup as i looked into it; my belt is fairly new although it is a duralast, my pulleys are all good except my AC pulley, the outer housing clutch spins and makes slight grinding/squeaking noise, I drove the car and heard the squeaking right at startup and I turned on the AC and the squeak went away, could this be the AC pulley? AC clutch? Tensioner? belt? ideas? suggestions?

thanks for any feedback

 

It wouldn't hurt to replace the tensioner. Mine began making an awful noise a few years ago, and a replacement solved the issue. Even if the squeal isn't coming from the tensioner, it's weakened state could cause the belt to slip on another pulley.

 

Get a stethascope from the parts store for 6 bucs, You can better isolate sounds with it. It is probably the A/C clutch though.

 

ac pulley will make noise when its on not off, id go with tensioner, even though a duralast belt isnt the highest quality it shouldnt squeak if its new

 

You pretty much answered your own question right there. It's not uncommon for a worn A/C clutch to make noise when disengaged as the sloppy outer pulley rubs on the inner hub. When the clutch is engaged, the two parts are turning as one and the squeak went away. If the A/C compressor was bad (a bad bearing), it would make a groaning noise while the clutch is engaged. Put a couple of drops of oil between the pulley and hub and see if the squeak goes away. Be sure not to slop oil on the belt. Sounds like it's the onset of the clutch going, and oiling it will buy you some time.

 

Hey thanks guys, I'm gonna replace tensioner and belt and try putting some oil in between clutch and ac where could i get a new clutch?