a/c compressor stopping serpentine belt

Blender345 · 05-21-2011, 06:49 PM

Hey guys, today on my way to my uncles my car power died as it still was running. I found that the repenting belt broke off due to the a/c compressor seized and made the belt burn off. The a/ c never worked so my question is, can I get a belt that bypasses the a/c compressor? Any other options that won't cost too much? It's a 99 2.4 cyl coupe with 188k on it. The compressor always made the car squeal n sqweek too. Any helps appreciated.

robalero · 05-21-2011, 06:58 PM

yes you can, when at the auto parts store ask for one without AC

05-21-2011, 06:59 PM

If u need to replace ur a/c compressor, get a rebuilt one from auto zone for like 179 bucks and put it in urself. If not, you're looking like 2-2.5 hours of labor to have someone put it on. I just replaced mine, took about 4 hours. As for the bypassing the serpentine belt, go to ur auto parts store and ask for the belt for ur same make and model without air conditioning

robalero · 05-21-2011, 07:05 PM

well nvm my comment, I looked up for the non-ac version and I guess they never made one without AC so your next best bet is to take the AC pulley off and find a place that will give you a dummy pulley in the place of it so its not actually running the AC but the pulley is there.

you will need a 15 mm wrench or serp belt tool to install the new belt

Redog · 05-21-2011, 11:38 PM

Look at Summit Racing.com. They have a A/C delete pulley on there. replace the tensioner too

Cliff8928 · 05-22-2011, 01:39 AM

AutoZone does have some of the A/C delete pulleys in stock.

Blender345 · 05-22-2011, 02:13 PM

Thanks for the help guys, my uncle and dad measured the circumference around the pulleys without the a/c in it and it was 34.5" or so, and he had a 3 pronged (?) serpentine belt that fit just right, but the pulleys are the 4 prong(?). so they loosened the alternator so we could pull the belt around all of the pulleys and tightened it back up and its nice and snug. We pretty much bypassed the a/c compressor pulley since its seized, I am not sure if this is a perminent solution but the car has 188k miles, I'm hoping for another year from it.

Any other ideas? Suggestions? Opinions? Should I keep it this way or get the 4 prong belt? is the 3 prong ok for now? is it ok to bypass the a/c compressor like this? Thanks for the help guys.

Also, why do you suggest replacing the tensioner? I know we were debating on 2 ways of doing it, one was around the tensioner (which my uncle ended up deciding wouldnt work) so we put the outside of the belt on it instead of wrapping the belt around all the pulleys. Sorry if I am confusing I hope you can decipher it.