As the title says, can the a/c compressor be bypassed, as far as the belt is concerned? I have this really bad whinning sound coming from my engine and I'm pretty sure its the a/c comp. I was wondering if anyone has bypassed the ac for 1 reason or another and how it was done. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

There looks to be no obstacle or interference between the crank pulley and the alternator so it should work, but you would have to find a serpentine belt to fit the shorter run. You could take your belt off and run a string around the pulleys following the path without the compressor then go to the parts store and try to find a belt the circumference of your string. Doubt if you'll find on though, it would be a very short serpentine.

 

But what about the tensioner? Wont tightening the belt cause it to rub against itself because the ac wont be pulling the bottom half down.

 

My car happens to be up on ramps as I'm putting O2 sensors on. I put a straight edge between the bottom of the crank pulley and the alternator pulley. My tensioner is adjusted about halfway down and there's about 1" between the straight edge and the upper loop of the belt. It'll be kind of close. You would want a smaller belt as opposed to a longer belt so you wouldn't have to crank the tensioner way down, but that could make it tough to get over the edges of the pulleys. When you replace just the electric clutch of the ac compressor, dosen't it include the bearings that allow that pulley to spin free when the compressor isn't running. I'm not sure.

 

I'm pretty sure i've seen what belt lenght to use without a/c in the stickies.

 

Its 33" with a UDP.

 

But what size belt would it be if you are using a conventional pulley and your bypassing the ac compressor?

 

Well, I changed my alt belt today and I still got the horrible whining noise. I'm pretty sure its the ac comp. I still havent found out if anyone has bypassed the ac compressor. Any info would be appreciated.

 

If you had the belt off why didn't you take some measurements. When you were at the parts store getting the new belt you could have inquired about a shorter belt. It'll only cost you the price of a fan belt, some time, and some dirty hands to see for yourself if it'll work. I'm not trying to be smartass - You just need to take matters into your own hands sometimes.

 

Yes you can. I commented earlier it was a 33" belt with a UDP. That means it will be slightly longer with the standard pulley.

Like Ramses said you will have to measure (just like l did) to get the correct length of the belt required when bypassing the A/C.