Lumina 3800 Engine-A/C issue

[Joshua Freebairn]

Hey all, I apologize if this has been posted beforehand.

 

I have my 98 Chevy Lumina 3.8L vehicle. The question is simply this: Whenever I turn the A/C on the engine makes a higher pitch whine that also changes with the speed of the engine.

 

- It's not a squealing noise from a loose or contaminated belt.

- I've checked the tensioner and it seems to be tight enough.

- As stated above the whine is throughout the entire rpm range except for maybe the last 500-700rpm just before the shift, then the engine sounds more like it does when the A/C is off and accelerating. Which sounds like it may be a vacuum issue. Or possibly something else. I realize that the engine noise changes slightly because of the A/C strain on the system, but it does seem to be higher than it normally should be.

 

If someone could help point me in the right direction in determining the source of the sound from the A/C being turned on that would be great!

 

If more if is needed please let me know.

[19Cutlass94]

Probably the AC clutch. How bad is the whine?

[Joshua Freebairn]

Noticeable outside and inside the cab, until close to the shift point, then it sounds more normal. I get a video together and show you the difference by just pulling on the TB linkage to rev the engine. And since this is my first car that really mad this different with the AC on I can't honestly tell how bad it is, just that its very noticeable.