My AC compressor went out and I was wondering if I could bypass that pulley with a shorter belt? Has anyone ever done this with their 960?! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hi-

I have successfully done it on a Jeep Liberty before, so I don't know why it wouldn't work on a 960. The key is to find the right length belt so you have the correct tension everywhere else. I own a 960 and my AC works (has to here in Texas), so I haven't had to actually do it on mine. But in theory it could work.

 

I would get a used $ 40 compressor, or yours might just need $ 5 adjustment.

 

Well I bypassed the AC compressor today with a shorter accessory belt. I first measured with a string how long it would be without the compressor pulley. Roughly 52.5 inches. I then picked up both a 52" and a 51" belt. Well, the 52 was too long, and then tried the 51. Perfect. So now for $17 I have the car back up and running, and running strong.

@Henry 10..the compressor is deader than dead. If you could have smelled it after coming home the other night you would agree. Also, turning the pulley by hand confirmed that the bearings inside are shot to hell. For the time being, I'll live without AC, as the money will go to a timing belt tune-up and rear brakes.

You can see the AC compressor at the bottom of the pic...on the bracket to the right of it you see the googe from it's massive fail the other night. A line of compressor guts/grease/metal/whatever else...

 

Good job. When you get to do the compressor -- that's a good time to clean the oil Separator behind it.

 

same thing happned to me on a trip. i had to stop in "hicksville" arkansas and the let me try belts until i found one that fit. i keep it in the car in case it happens again.

i think i still have a good compressor out of a 93. came out of my moms car. make an offer
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