Friends a/c is making grinding noises :(

[Swamps]

Hi

I have a friend who is need of some help with his 1998 Sunfire, to me the compressor is toast, a new rebuilt A/c compressor is going to be $220, he doesn't really care about the a/c anymore as he has been driving with out it for a while now, I was looking at it and wondering if I could just by pass the A/C all togeather and just order a belt for the 2.2L with out A/C. That would be a lot cheaper at $22 for the belt, the belt for sunfires with out a/c is 63 inches, where as the belt with a/c is 87 inches. So I believe I can just by pass it all togeather, or did GM change pulleys and move parts around on the Sunfire models without A/c???? ( I can't see why they would do that but who really knows)

It seems like every Sunfire I look at has the A/C on it, I need to look at one without just to compare the two. Anyone have any ideas on this??

Thanks
Casey

1998 Sunfire with the 2.2 L

[twist_of_jay]

i have a 99 sunfire and i had the same problem. Tell your friend to go and buy the shorter belt and just go ahead and bypass the ac crank. thats what i had to do to mine, its not hard and you dont have to hear that damn whinning nose from a mile and a hlaf away

[Swamps]

Yea, he said its ok for now, but good to know for next time if he decides to by pass it now I know it will work.

Thanks