Wanted to know if it is safe to bypass the A/C compressor with a smaller belt?

DPEREZ_243

MEMBER
1993 BUICK REGAL
58,000 MILES

I have a 1993 buick regal limited and my a/c clutch is going out and freezing up, can I run the car by bypassing the a/c compressor with a smaller belt? Will it harm the engine?

Tuesday, August 14th, 2012 AT 2:02 PM

7 Replies

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

The question is, will the new routing cause the belt to touch anything? If not, you will be OK. Some routings won't allow that.

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Tuesday, August 14th, 2012 AT 2:19 PM

DPEREZ_243

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Dperez243. Not sure about answer from Wrenchtech? Is it ok or is it not? Your response is "if not, you will be OK. Some routings won't allow that. Will this car allow it or not? Please clarify answer.

Thanks.

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Tuesday, August 14th, 2012 AT 8:26 PM

WRENCHTECH

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Maybe I could have been more specific if you had posted an engine size.

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Tuesday, August 14th, 2012 AT 8:27 PM

DPEREZ_243

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Dperez243. Sorry, the buick has a 3.6L v6 and its a limited edition vehicle.

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Tuesday, August 14th, 2012 AT 8:44 PM

WRENCHTECH

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No such engine. Either 3.8 or 3.1

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Tuesday, August 14th, 2012 AT 8:52 PM

DPEREZ_243

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Dperez243.3.8, should check spelling before sending.

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Tuesday, August 14th, 2012 AT 8:57 PM

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
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It order to do that one you would have to purchase an idler pulley that would mount in place of the compressor to maintain the belt routing. Dormon makes the idlers to eliminate compressors for many vehicles but you would have to check if one is available for that car. http://www.dormanproducts.com/

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Tuesday, August 14th, 2012 AT 10:08 PM