The car is making an awful noise, and I missed a $6,000 cash sale today because of it.
The AC isn’t working, but the car is in excellent condition—low miles, leather seats, and all. The noise scared off the buyer.
I have another potential buyer tomorrow, but we haven’t settled on a price yet. The noise keeps getting worse, and it’s driving me crazy.
After researching, I think the issue might be:
A) Pulley bypass
B) Shorter belt
I’m struggling to find solid info on either, but I found a post suggesting cutting the AC belt. Looking at the diagram, it seems the AC belt is separate.
Can I just cut it? It’s labeled as belt B in the diagram.
Dana said:
Yeah, you can cut the AC belt, no problem. Just know you’ll lose the AC and defrost since the system won’t pull moisture out of the air anymore.
That’s exactly what I needed to know, thanks so much!
@Madden
If you don’t want to cut it, you could use a wrench on the crank bolt and a screwdriver to spin it off. That way, you could reuse it later if you fix the AC.
Lior said: @Madden
If you don’t want to cut it, you could use a wrench on the crank bolt and a screwdriver to spin it off. That way, you could reuse it later if you fix the AC.
The belt already has a few frays, so it’s not a big deal. It’s probably just a $20 part.
Dana said:
Yeah, you can cut the AC belt, no problem. Just know you’ll lose the AC and defrost since the system won’t pull moisture out of the air anymore.
You’ll still get warm air for defrosting, like older cars had, but it won’t work as fast or as well since it won’t dehumidify.
Yeah, cut the belt if you want. If you replace the compressor, the shop can easily fit a new one. There’s a little tool that helps slip the belt onto the compressor wheel as you turn the engine.
Rai said:
Yeah, cut the belt if you want. If you replace the compressor, the shop can easily fit a new one. There’s a little tool that helps slip the belt onto the compressor wheel as you turn the engine.
Could I repair it myself? I was thinking about getting a used compressor from a salvage yard, a manifold gauge, a vacuum pump, fresh refrigerant, and maybe replacing the dryer or expansion valve. I’ve never done car AC before, but I’m pretty handy.
@Madden
Yes, it’s possible, but you’ll need to deal with the refrigerant legally (EPA requires proper recycling). If you go for it, you’ll need tools like a vacuum pump, gauges, refrigerant, a scale for measuring, and maybe a new belt. You’d also have to pull off the passenger side tire and access the panels. It can be done, but unless labor costs are crazy where you are, I’d let a shop handle it.
@Rai
Thanks for breaking that down! For me, it’s less about the cost and more about taking on a new challenge. I enjoy figuring stuff out. As for salvage yards, they usually drain all the fluids properly, so that part’s sorted.
@Madden
Honestly, unless you know HVAC well, I wouldn’t mess with car AC. I’ve seen people lose fingers from freezing accidents. Plus, if you don’t evacuate and recharge the system properly, it might not work right again. When I replaced my compressor, I had a mechanic handle the refrigerant part.
@Harlow
My dad’s been doing HVAC for over 20 years, and I worked with him a lot. I’ve learned how to recover Freon, use vacuum pumps, gauges, and handle things like dryers and expansion valves. I know letting refrigerant into the air is illegal, but honestly, I’m not too worried about that. This kind of project doesn’t scare me, and I’m confident I can get it done right.
