97 Astro van

[sweetbabyjoejoe]

Hi, the condinsor on my air conditioner went out. I was wondering how you reroute the belt by bypassing the conditioner.
Thanks

[dewaynep]

If the condensor is bad, there is no need to bypass the compressor. The compressor is just an idler pulley until you turn the A/C on, then it engages the compressor. The compressor clutch will not engage if the refrigerant level is low, so there is no chance of it causing a drag on the engine. If, however, you really want that compressor out of there you can go to your local autoparts store and get what is called an A/C bypass pulley. They cost about $35.00. Is it worth it, not if the compressor pulley isn't making noise.....

[sweetbabyjoejoe]

The compressor is locked up and the s belt just smokes.
thanks

[old_master]

Bypass brackets are not available for the 4.3 in the Astro/Safari yet. If the belt is slipping on the compressor pulley, that means either the bearing in the pulley is seized, or the compressor is locked up AND the clutch is seized to the pulley. Removing the clutch will allow the pulley to free wheel as long as the bearing in the pulley is not seized.

[dewaynep]

A quick check at Autozone.com shows Motormite part number 34174 as the correct bypass pulley at 39.99. It is available if you want to put $40 into the van......

[Blue Bowtie]

Or for about $70 more you can get a reman compressor completel with a clutch.

[old_master]

Originally Posted by dewaynep

A quick check at Autozone.com shows Motormite part number 34174 as the correct bypass pulley at 39.99. It is available if you want to put $40 into the van......

I stand corrected, thanks! Last I checked, Dorman had not released them. Good to know they are available now.