About a week after I had a D16Z swapped into my 95 LX it started to make this noise. I initially thought it was something to do with power steering because that is exactly the sound it makes and it seems to come from either the AC pump or the power steering pump. It seems to make the noise more in conjuction with the AC because if I'm idling in traffic and decide to turn the AC on then all of a sudden it starts to scream. The only way to get it to go away is to rev past 3000 and to keep it away it needs to stay reved around 1700-2000. There are all new belts when I got the swap, tension should be good, definatly not too loose. Would a belt that is too tight have this issue? Different mechanics say its the power steering belt or something to do with the power steering... but then why would it me rpm dependent, and why wouldn't it kick in when I turn? It only happens at startup or at a stoplight when I'm not turning or anything. It's so loud that it's hard to tell where it's coming from because it makes your ears ring even with the hood down.
HELP!!! It's driving me insane - bout ready to call in to cartalk. hehe I'm sure at least someone on here has had a similar problem.

 

Bump this up to the top again.
Does ANYONE have any ideas what the issue may be?
I've been reading around since I posted the last one and I'm going to try loosening the belt pulley for the A/C, take the pulley off or at least had turn it to see if it makes (grinding) noises which may turn into squealing at higher rpm.

Are there any bearings that get lubrication when the engine is running that have to do with the A/C?
I ask because the problem goes away if I drive it really nicely for the last few minutes before I shut it off... especially if I let it sit for 2 min. in park keeping the revs above 1500 (at this point the engine is warmed up and it doesn't make the noise unless I turn the A/C on and don't keep the revs about 1000 when it engages).
When I restart even a day after I do this special shut-down procedure it's "quiet" with just a light squeal that is hardly noticable.
WTF is going on?

 

It definatly sounds like a belt issue... I know old belts can cause that and loose belts can cause it and i do think a belt that's too tight could cause that plus you risk snapping the belt if it's too tight.

 

sounds like its the A/C belt, i say double check that belt

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EGSSdreamer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Would a belt that is too tight have this issue? Different mechanics say its the power steering belt or something to do with the power steering... but then why would it me rpm dependent, and why wouldn't it kick in when I turn? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Anything with the belts is rpm dependent because they are driven directly by the engine. If you are trying to isolate the problem, just remove either the ac or power steering belt and see when the problem is there or isn't. And yes, belts that are too tight will squeel also and put extra stress on the power steering pump bearing or ac compressor bearings.

Also, don't do what I did and tighten it up too much trying to get rid of the squeal. My ac compressor eventually cracked open because of this. Stupidest thing I ever did on my civic.

 

Thanks guys, you've been a great help. I'm definately going to try taking the A/C belt off and see if that solves it. If so, then i'm going to just have to mess around with the tension until it's right. Maybe my bearing is already bad... can check that when the belt is off. Thanks again.