3.4L AC Belt Replacement?

Just wanted to confirm the diagnosis, hearing a squeal/squeak that can be eliminated by turn off the AC. Other than replacing the belt anything it could be/I should check.

What all is involved in just doing the AC Belt? I know Timmy has a video on doing ALL of the belts but don't really want to/need to replace all the belts yet to my knowledge.

 

I am pretty sure the AC belt runs all the time regardless of if the AC is on? You could check my assumptions by opening the hood and looking. It is the second belt in the middle. That sounds more like something with the AC controls bearings etc that I don’t know about.

Replacing it is easy, and you shouldn’t have to remove the other belts cause it is accessed from the bottom without going over the fan.

 

Your AC belt should be turning all the time the engine is running.. if the squeal stops when you turn the AC on, I would think it's the bearing in the pulley that's apart of the clutch.

Take the belt off and spin the AC clutch, use the backwoods screwdriver stethoscope method to see if you hear or feel anything other than butter when you spin it slow

 

With engine running and AC switched on, try shooting some soapy water on the underside of the belt where it makes contact with the pulley. If squeal goes away it could be that your belt is loose, old, polished shiny and slipping under load.

edit - After some thought, might be better/safer to have engine not running before spraying soapy water although I've never had a problem as earlier described.

 

More than likely it’s the AC idler pulley,
These pulleys then to crap out regularly,

Put the AC on and put the automotive stethoscope on the idler pulley under the truck

 

Thanks for the tip!

That would be https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota__/Accessory-Drive-Belt-Idler-Pulley/63405029/8844004030.html this right?

 

Squeal stops when the AC is turned off, starts when turned on but same difference. Sounds like I have a plan of attack.

As always thanks to everyone here. You are an amazing group and willing to help out idiots like me!

 

Money is on the AC idler pulley and that’s easy to replace

 

@1997tacomav6 has got it, if I wasn't a dummy and misread your original post I would said the same thing I swear

Hope you knock it out quick and easy!

 

Just asking you have ruled out that it is not the blower motor ??

Noises can be difficult to pin down

 

I have not ruled out the blower motor. It does sound like belt squeal but to your point sounds are hard to lock down. Figure they the pulley first since it seems relatively easy.

 

Mine does the same and the AC isnt cold at all....any idea