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Topic: Screeching noise from back of coach! (Read 900 times) previous topic - next topic

Screeching noise from back of coach!

The other day, I found the belt flipped off the compressor pulley on our A/C compressor for the dash.  Checked the belt and found some excessive wear, so headed over to NAPA and purchased another belt.  Installed it yesterday and when we started the coach, the screeching sounded like the ghost of Christmas past were in the engine compartment.  UGH!  So, not sure if it is worth replacing the clutch, as the A/C never did a great job cooling the front even after having service done at MOT in June.  So, what do you all suggests?  I did a search and didn't find much on this issue.  Not sure what is involved with clutch R&R.  Would like to hear what the experts suggest. 
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Screeching noise from back of coach!

Reply #1 –
It is probably the compressor bearing not the clutch. put a wrench on the center bolt on the compressor, it should turn smoothly. My experience has been the clutch squeals because the compressor is going bad.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Screeching noise from back of coach!

Reply #2 –
Nothing exotic about the clutch/compressor-- similar to other R134A systems.

Where and how you use the coach should enter in to how much you want to spend on repair to the dash A/C.

There is a pretty narrow range between when the dash A/C is adequate to keep you cool and you need to start the generator to run the roof air.  Range is VERY narrow if driving "up sun".
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Screeching noise from back of coach!

Reply #3 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Nothing exotic about the clutch/compressor-- similar to other R134A systems.

Where and how you use the coach should enter in to how much you want to spend on repair to the dash A/C.

There is a pretty narrow range between when the dash A/C is adequate to keep you cool and you need to start the generator to run the roof air.  Range is VERY narrow if driving "up sun".

Agree Brett!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Screeching noise from back of coach!

Reply #4 –
Quote from: craneman –
It is probably the compressor bearing not the clutch. put a wrench on the center bolt on the compressor, it should turn smoothly. My experience has been the clutch squeals because the compressor is going bad.

Will check that out, thanks!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Screeching noise from back of coach!

Reply #5 –
It's getting on to Winter.  Take the belt off and don't worry about it until next Spring.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Screeching noise from back of coach!

Reply #6 –
(I'm so going to get in trouble for this......)

Sounds like my DW got into your coach by mistake.
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Screeching noise from back of coach!

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Moby –
(I'm so going to get in trouble for this......)

Sounds like my DW got into your coach by mistake.

Ouch!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Screeching noise from back of coach!

Reply #8 –
Update;  checked the compressor and it spins free with the 10mm socket on it.  Soooooo, may look into this further, but like Chuck just mentioned, it is getting close to winter, however, nobody mentioned that to the state of Florida!  It's hot here. 
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Screeching noise from back of coach!

Reply #9 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Agree
Nothing exotic about the clutch/compressor-- similar to other R134A systems.

Agree
Where and how you use the coach should enter in to how much you want to spend on repair to the dash A/C.

Kind of Agree
There is a pretty narrow range between when the dash A/C is adequate to keep you cool and you need to start the generator to run the roof air. Range is VERY narrow if driving "up sun".

I know I'm risking my reputation disagreeing with Brett but hey I even disagree with my wife when she says it's OK. :)

Had a similar issue. Started up the coach and got the screeching from hell. Ran to the back of the coach and opened the engine compartment door. The compressor pulley was glowing orange! Even as dim as I can me sometimes I knew that wasn't right. Ran back to the drivers seat in record time and shut her down. Drove for a couple of years just using the coach air. Finally broke down and bought a new compressor on ebay (appx $200). Wasn't that hard to change out the compressor but had to leak the R134 into the air. (hope the EPA doesn't read ForeForums!) Other issue was figuring out how much compressor oil and R134 to put back in. I used a receipt from the last time the system was charged to calculate how many cans I needed to put in. IIRC it was 9 cans R134. Can't remember how much oil. It was a stated amount for the compressor and a calculated amount per foot of hose. Anyway could not get it to cool very much. Dave Katsuki helped me and we drained about 2 cans out to get to proper pressures.

Anyway now that we have dash air again we love it. It blows right on us and as far as I'm concerned that's all that needs to be cool. :) We are usually good to the high 80s (in coach) before we have to turn on the coach air. As Brett says highly dependent on position of the sun. :)

Very very worth getting it back in business.

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: Screeching noise from back of coach!

Reply #10 –
Joe check your charge air cooler boots( I know this is not AC related). We lost a clamp on one of the boots and it sounded like everything was coming unwound in engine compartment.  Have added extra 4"clamp to parts list.
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Screeching noise from back of coach!

Reply #11 –
Amazon.com: HOHOFILM 60"X40" 80% VLT Nano Ceramic Window Film High Heat-Rejec...

Had this installed on our suburban windshield $200 and was amazed at the heat reduction. Will definitely install in our future Foretravel. I was concerned about night driving but to my surprise it actually drops the oncoming hi beam headlights intensity down to below painfull. Nevada Highway Patrol uses it and that is what convinced me to try it. Now have on my Daily driver . Now I just need to learn how to install and same some big bucks.
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Yes there is a small reduction on visibility at night and my eyes have never been older than they are today but to stay cooler all summer long I'll slow down 3% driving at night to offset the loss.
Scott and Kim
EXPLOSION-PROOF - Strengthen glass,Effectively prevent accidents caused by glass splash.
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Screeching noise from back of coach!

Reply #12 –
Could be a belt tensioner bearing.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Screeching noise from back of coach!

Reply #13 –
I just replaced my compressor, belt tensioner, dryer and one of the long hoses and I can say it is nice having a little cool air blowing from the front. Makes a little difference here in the Texas heat but if it's hot we still run the roof air.


Keith
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: Screeching noise from back of coach!

Reply #14 –
I frequent and also live in a region where max air is a beautiful thing.. Yes I could make it without dash air and have in a previous rig but after learning how good dash air can be made to work I don't intend to be without it again.. Good thing with you it's cool enough now that you don't have to rush to repair.. I would rather repair one at least on a warm day so you can tell how well it's working.. I like my dash air to be cold enough so my wife will lay a cover over her legs in the Arizona desert.. I keep a thermometer in my vent so if I ever see temp raise above 39 I can start finding out why.. Kind of a stickler about air I know and it isn't my only obsession..
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Screeching noise from back of coach!

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Dakota Slim –
Could be a belt tensioner bearing.

Going to take the belt off tomorrow and double check tensioner, but when I installed the new belt, it spun free with no visible wobble.
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Screeching noise from back of coach!

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Chris m lang –
Joe check your charge air cooler boots( I know this is not AC related). We lost a clamp on one of the boots and it sounded like everything was coming unwound in engine compartment.  Have added extra 4"clamp to parts list.
Chris

Thanks Chris, but it is differently something related to the A/C.
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Screeching noise from back of coach!

Reply #17 –
my tensioner came apart, all that was left was the Bering and a broke belt.  The pulley was gone
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.