Engine Chirping

[pine box]

My '88 has been chirping off and on for over a year, now.
It usually it starts when I have to drive through deep puddles during a heavy rainstorm. It always stops, sooner or later. It seems to help if I turn on the A/C.
I'm almost positive the noise is coming from the A/C compressor.
It first happened when I over tightened the belt.
Since its only occasional/temporary, I'll live with it until something breaks.
You might try spraying some lubricant in the A/C clutch, both in the front face and the small gaps in between the clutch, pulley, etc. on the compressor. Use the little red tube and be very careful not to get any lubricant on the belt or pulley.
And do not use spray belt dressing on a serpentine[flat] belt.

[Grand Marquis GT]

Or, you could just remove the belts, start up the car, and see if the noise goes away...

[Archangel]

Or, you could just remove the belts, start up the car, and see if the noise goes away...

Oh yeah, gotta do that one of these days...

[AOD]

I've tightened my A/C belt (smog pump removed, short belt) as tight as possible and I think it still squeals at times. A/C pulley may be worn?

~Adam

[Archangel]

Adam, have you ruled out the tensioner for sure? Tightening the belt won't cure that one, may even make it worse.

[1987cp]

Or, you could just remove the belts, start up the car, and see if the noise goes away...

+1

[Pirate]

I have a customer's 1992 Escort wagon sitting in front of my house. Sounds like there is an entire socket set loose in the bellhousing whenever you let out the clutch, but the noise disappears when you push the clutch in. Turned out to be the auto tensioner is broken, and the belt stretched...two pulleys rub together under load, but move away just enough to break contact when idling.

[1987cp]

Impressive. Remind me never to buy a '92 Escort.