Help with noisy van A/C clutch

[mwmccormick]

Fellas I need some advice. I have a 1998 Ford F150 Van that the A/C stopped working this past summer due to the (I assume) clutch on the front of the compressor breaking for lack of a better description. It now makes a very embarrasing rattle type sound. I'm sure thats what it is because it doesn't engage any more and just slowly turns and vibrates. I just want the noise to stop. It doesn't seem to be affecting the engine performance any. Can I just wrap some duct tape or shove a shim in it? Is it possible to just take it off? I am somewhat handy with car repair but this is a new territory for me.

 

[cannonball]

If it's on a separate belt, just remove the belt. If not - donno - sorry.

 

[K_W]

Simplest solution... bypass pulley.

I found one here...
A/C Compressor Bypass Pulley | 1998 Ford E150 1/2 ton Van 8 Cylinders 6 4.6L EFI | AutoZone.com

 

[mwmccormick]

Simplest solution... bypass pulley.

I found one here...
A/C Compressor Bypass Pulley | 1998 Ford E150 1/2 ton Van 8 Cylinders 6 4.6L EFI | AutoZone.com

Hye, I think that will work! I didn't know something like that even existed.

 

[johncarbaugh]

Dose it make the noise all the time? Have you tried unplugging the compressor so the clutch will not try to engage? You could also just take the clutch plate off of the front on the compressor. Most AC clutch plates are just held on with one or just a few bolts on the front of the compressor. The bearing and pulley are pressed on the compressor and will not fall off or anything. Good quick fix if you ever have a compressor lock up. Both would be free and easy. If it is the bearing on the front of the compressor that is making the noise than the bypass pulley would be your best option.

 

[mwmccormick]

Dose it make the noise all the time? Have you tried unplugging the compressor so the clutch will not try to engage? You could also just take the clutch plate off of the front on the compressor. Most AC clutch plates are just held on with one or just a few bolts on the front of the compressor. The bearing and pulley are pressed on the compressor and will not fall off or anything. Good quick fix if you ever have a compressor lock up. Both would be free and easy. If it is the bearing on the front of the compressor that is making the noise than the bypass pulley would be your best option.

It does make noise all of the time and no I haven't tried unplugging it. A guy I work with suggested I could try using the belt thats made for the engine without AC and just not hook it up, also potentially gaining better mileage until I get the system fixed.

 

[danielocean03]

It does make noise all of the time and no I haven't tried unplugging it. A guy I work with suggested I could try using the belt thats made for the engine without AC and just not hook it up, also potentially gaining better mileage until I get the system fixed.

That's good advice, I'd do that until you fix it.

 

[ISHOOTHST'S]

Non-AC engine belt correct.

 

[johncarbaugh]

The bypass pulley might be what is used on non AC units. Some vehicles use the same belt and put on a pulley instead of compressor. I know some vehicles you can not just put on different belt because the compressor is where the belt would run. Hope you have a set up that you can just put a shorter belt on.

 

[n3v3rtrstamor0n]

the cheapest would be to buy a bypass pully.but remeber when you do that sometimes you have to buy a different belt.otherwise buy a new a/c...