A/C Idler pulley

[MAVRICK513]

I have an '89 Festiva and a '93 Festiva - Both have A/C. Over they 8 or so years I have owned it I cannot get the '93 air conditioner belt to NOT squeal for more than a few months. Recently it has started squealing about 5 days after installing a new belt. I have tried new belts, made sure the screw adjuster was tight and that the idler pulley wasn't damaged & that it is in alignment with the pulley on the compressor. I never have issues with the '89 but that uses a different type of idler pulley adjustment. On the '89 I just turn the center nut on the idler pulley to increase or decrease belt tension. That works much better.

Has anyone changed a Festiva over to using the older style idler system? Can it even be done?


Thanks in advance for the input.

[jbibb1]

When you talk about "older style" does the belt change too? Is one the old single groove v-belt?

[bravekozak]

Put a straight edge across the all edges of the crank pulley and A/C pulley first. They should all touch. If not, it's spacer time. The pulleys must line up perpendicular to the crankshaft.

[Chobobulous]

I use an aspire idler pully, no problems at all.

[MAVRICK513]

Both the '89 and '93 use the single groove pulley and all pulleys seem to be in alignment when I check with a straight edge.

[georgeb]

Does your '93 have the idler arm and no tensioner screw like my late '93? That thing was a disaster. It had to be pried tight while tightening the arm pivot bolt that was difficult to get to. I removed it with the a/c some time ago.

[bravekozak]

All Festiva idler pulleys have a tensioner screw since the A/C compressor is fixed and does not pivot. Even the power steering pump bracket has a tensioner screw.

[georgeb]

All Festiva idler pulleys have a tensioner screw since the A/C compressor is fixed and does not pivot. Even the power steering pump bracket has a tensioner screw.

My '93 had a tensioner pulley mounted to an arm about 5 inches long with no screw to pull the pulley tight. You had to pry it tight while tightening the arm pivot bolt that had the leverage of a 5-inch arm pulling against it. It was like the alternator missing the top bolt. It was always squeaking.

[TheresGabe]

All Festiva idler pulleys have a tensioner screw since the A/C compressor is fixed and does not pivot. Even the power steering pump bracket has a tensioner screw.

What is this "POWER STEERING" you speak of? Sounds mythical, and strange...

[bravekozak]

Power steering was an option on Festivas in the U.S.A.
It had to be ordered with A/C.
Most members agree it isn't necessary for such a light car.
I have it anyway, because I am doing the "fully loaded" project car.
Including, power antenna, power locks and power windows (all from the Kia Pride sister car).

[GenevaDirt]

there are 2 different set ups...there is dealer installed and factory I believe. I think factory has the screw and the dealer installed is the pry type.

[91blufestiva]

Power steering was an option on Festivas in the U.S.A.
It had to be ordered with A/C.
Most members agree it isn't necessary for such a light car.
I have it anyway, because I am doing the "fully loaded" project car.
Including, power antenna, power locks and power windows (all from the Kia Pride sister car).

I have a parts car that had power steering, but no A/C

[zoom zoom]

Does the tensioner pulley wobble? I'm not sure about the festy stuff, but aspire pulleys have a sealed bearing in there! Just something else to think about..