Car Overheating and Squealing

KROBISON

MEMBER
2000 MITSUBISHI GALANT
19,000 MILES

I was driving my car today at 30mph and it started smoking. I pulled over ASAP, but heard a high pitch squealing noise. My A/C works good and I was using it when this happened. If my thermostat is bad would it make the squealing sound or it is my fan motor? The radiator and the overflow were full and I do not have any leaks. When the squealing noise happened I did notice a difference in my A/C. I was not able to look under the hood, since its dark and raining cats and dogs. Please advise.

5 Replies

DOCFIXIT

MECHANIC
18,828 POSTS

Suspect AC compressor has locked up

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Tuesday, March 20th, 2012 AT 6:02 PM

KROBISON

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Someone suggested that it was the fan belt that broke and thats why it made that noise. Once the fan stopped moving then the car overheated. Does that sound possible as well?

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Tuesday, March 20th, 2012 AT 6:08 PM

DOCFIXIT

MECHANIC
18,828 POSTS

Yes but check all pullies see if one is frozen. The squeal means belt is moving across a frozen pully causing it to break ie. Smoke

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Tuesday, March 20th, 2012 AT 6:31 PM

KROBISON

MEMBER
3 POSTS

What would cause the pulley to freeze up? Would it have to be replaced or only the belt?

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Tuesday, March 20th, 2012 AT 6:43 PM

THIS IS MIKE

MECHANIC
686 POSTS

Pulley's can freeze up because of rust, corrosion and use. With the belt removed spin each of the pulley's by hand, if they don't spin freely they should be replaced. If the belt was damaged, it should be replaced too.