Airco idler or compressor squealing - anyone experienced this?

[dieselV6]

Hi

My car's engine started squealing, either airco compressor or airco belt tensioner. Not sure which, but a good dash of lithium grease spray into both bearings cured it. It was not a slipping belt squeal, I know this one.  Definitely airco, because the noise went off whenever airco was switched off, and came back on when airco was on.  

 

Has anyone else experienced it?

 

 

[jimbof]

My tensioner was quite shot when I swapped it, with around 118,000 miles.  Lots of play in the bearing.  But it wasn't making much in the way of noise yet.  It is quite cheap and not very difficult to swap.

[dieselV6]

Yes, I swapped it last time separately after the belt job (from the underside), but was hoping it'll make it through till the next belt job, 1-2 years away. We'll see, if the noise does not come back, I'll let it run.

[jimbof]

Hrm, you'd expect it to last longer than that I guess if it were a quality part?

[dieselV6]

Yes, though this area is sprayed with salty water in winter (aux belt cover is open at the bottom, at least on a V6 TDI). I have to zinc the airco clutch surface every couple years.

Edited 28 July, 2014 by dieselV6